DE19723922A1 - Instrument display system for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The vehicle is fitted with a number of sensors to monitor set parameters on the vehicle and power train. A logic system processes the signals and activates displays. The logic system decides a priority for the displays and delays some non essential indicators if the vehicle is in a situation which demands attention by the driver. This is determined by programmed control fields and by grouping the sensors in priority sets. The indication of some parameters eg. low washer fluid, is delayed eg. if the vehicle is being reversed, if the driver changes torque above a set rate, during braking etc. Non essential indicators are activated eg. when the vehicle is being driven at a steady speed along a straight road.

Description

The invention relates to a signal display device for In instruments in vehicles according to the preamble of claim 1 and methods for displaying states in systems of a Vehicle according to the preamble of claim 2.

STATE OF THE ART

Motor vehicle drivers are asked for critical or service speaking conditions in different vehicle systems alerted that various signal indicators activated will. Examples of such critical or potentially critical States can identify identified faults in the ABS system or the conventional braking system or engine control system of the Motor vehicle or reminders to control these conditions / repair, be. These critical conditions can be displayed by using a special "ABS / brake failure" lamp or a "check engine" lamp is switched on. Other critical Conditions related to traffic safety can fail of light functions, due to broken filament, for headlights / Position light / brake light / fog light, etc. In the event of failure A light bulb can turn on a general display indicating that a light bulb is not working, but mostly not what lamp.

A variety of different indicator lights are also becoming more common used wisely to warn of operating conditions that the Continuing to cause damage to the drive unit. Examples of such parameters can include low engine oil / cooling water level, oil pressure too low or excess temperature in the Cooling water / engine and in the drive train.

In some systems, it also shows when a flap or Door is open while driving, which is usually with a special whose indicator lamp occurs.  

In addition to the indicator lamps mentioned above, they are becoming more common also for low washing liquid level or low Fuel level uses special indicator lights. These will usually turned on when a certain minimum level un a limited number of short actions cleaning of the windscreen washer system or limited operation time of the vehicle.

The indicators can be on the above lamps also with sound signals and displays on alpha numerical display where the error is in plain text or is given as a symbol. The number of indicator lights and other display aids have the consequence that the Driver environment in terms of the number of possible Error displays that are activated become quite complex.

To stabilize these displays, often used various signal processing units in which the Indicators depending on the character of the state pointing signal are operated. With for example which types of Schmitt trigger circuits or functions the display device can be activated when, for example the critical condition / temperature / level is below a threshold progresses because a deactivation of the display device only takes place when the state / temperature / level etc. reaches a threshold value exceeds x% of the threshold after the threshold value has fallen below. Other displays can only be activated if the signal during a predetermined time has been stable. Even if the above mentioned stabilizers can be used the display device is activated in such operating cases be where the driver is on other demanding tasks is focused on what makes the driver very stressful situations can cause.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is to provide the driver under such circumstances, where his focus is on temporary and demanding  Tasks set up by presenting new information relieve. This is supposed to be irritating and disturbing moments temporarily avoided, which is also very demanding the situations a safe handling of the vehicle supported.

Another task is that the representation of new Information is only delayed for a predetermined time can be during which a demanding but over going driving situation can pass. This will make the Presentation of new information secured and not on unrelated agreed time delayed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The signal display device according to the invention is by the Claim 1, and the inventive method for displaying the System state in a vehicle characterized by claim 2 draws.

By the signal display device according to the invention and the Method for displaying the system status in a vehicle the driver can both from the presentation of new information during driving situations where he is on demanding driving tasks is focused, as well as from presenting new ones Information when the driver's concentration on the one position or actuation of the control in the vehicle is to be relieved.

Further features and advantages characterizing the invention go from the dependent claims as well as from the following Description of a schematic in the following figures illustrated embodiment.

Fig. 1 shows a vehicle with a signal indicating device which is activated in response to system conditions in the vehicle.

Fig. 2 shows a circuit in which several different systems can activate different display devices and the activation of the display device in a signal treatment unit is delayed according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT

In Fig. 1, a vehicle 1 is shown as including means disposed in the vicinity of the driver unit 2 presentation. The presentation unit 2 is preferably integrated in the instrument panel for various types of display devices with which the driver can be made aware of system states.

For example, a system may include some type of fluid reservoir 3 , which may be a coolant reservoir, a wash reservoir, or the engine oil pan. A level sensor 4 detects the level in the container 3 and forwards a signal corresponding to the level to a signal processing unit 7 , which in turn activates a display device when the level falls below a predetermined level.

According to the invention, however, a form of recognition of a demanding driving task is to be carried out and / or it is to be determined whether the driver operates systems which are directly or indirectly related to the driving task; this determination is intended to influence the activation of the display device caused by the signal treatment unit. For this purpose, an accelerator pedal 5 and an accelerator sensor 6 are also shown in FIG. 1, which forwards a signal corresponding to the accelerator pedal position to a signal treatment unit 7 . How this influencing takes place is explained in more detail in connection with the description of FIG. 2.

The signal display devices mentioned can be varied be carried out. Conventionally, several indicator lights are used used, each of which is used to help with a certain display and warn predetermined condition in a system.  

This means that several indicator lights are required to to be able to communicate these conditions to the driver. An alternative to these multiple indicator lights with a picture window, often called display, in which an alpha numeric text or a symbol can be activated.

In particularly critical conditions, the signal display devices can also be combined with different types of sound signals. The presentation unit 2 can therefore contain individual image windows, sound generators and / or indicator lamps for each type of error. These indicators can be combined in two or more ways so that the driver can perceive different types of conditions in systems of the vehicle.

A system is shown schematically in FIG. 2, in which several different functions 11 a- 11 d can activate different indicators 10 a- 10 d and the activation of the indicators in the signal processing unit 7 is delayed according to the invention. The signal processing unit 7 is in Fig. 2 in a first and a second part, 7 a and 7 b, divided. The first part 7 a of the signal processing unit 7 contains the logic functions that determine whether there are demanding driving tasks or whether the driver is busy with setting or regulating a system that is directly or indirectly related to the driving task. This determination is made depending on a first category sensors 30-45 . The second part 7 b of the signal processing unit 7 contains the means which, depending on the determination in the first part 7 a, initiate a delay in the activation of the display device.

The signal processing unit 7 forwards the signals from various systems or functions to systems in the vehicle containing a second category of sensors 11 a- 11 d, which activate the signals of the display devices 10 a- 10 d, in this case in the form of indicator lamps. The sensors may include a float switch 11a, a temperature sensor 11 b, 11 c or a Glühfadenwächter a sensor function, which detects the functionality d in a subsystem of the vehicle 11 at play, include.

The level transmitter 11 a can correspond to the level transmitter 4 shown in FIG. 1, where the indicator lamp 10 a is activated by the level transmitter 11 a when the current level falls below a critical and / or service-demanding level. According to the invention, the activation of the indicator lamp 10 a can be delayed as a function of a signal on the line 26 from the first part 7 a of the signal processing unit 7 . Each activation of the relevant indicator light is influenced d of one of the independent delay units 29 a-29, of which only a delay unit 29 is described in a an exemplary embodiment, the individually. All delay units 29 a- 29 d are controlled by the signal on line 26 . The delay unit 29 a is carried out in the embodiment shown with relays 20, 21 . If there is a signal on line 26 and at the same time the indicator lamp 10 is not switched on, the relay 20 is activated, the relay contact being switched from the B position shown in FIG. 2 to the dashed A position. A signal from the radio tion 11 a can then not activate the indicator lamp 10 a.

If the indicator lamp 10 a is already switched on when the signal on line 26 is formed, the relay 20 cannot switch off the circuit of the indicator lamp if the activation of the indicator lamp 10 a simultaneously activates the relay 21 and the relay contact of the one shown in FIG. 2 shown position in the dashed position.

This relay circuit does not affect an indicator lamp that is already switched on, and primary activation of the indicator lamp is prevented by the signal on line 26 . How long this primary activation can be prevented is determined by a time circuit / timer 22 . If the function 11 a for activating the indicator lamp 10 a emits a signal and the relay contact is switched to the dashed A position at the same time, the time circuit 22 is initiated. When a predetermined time has elapsed from the time circuit 22 , the relay 21 is actuated, with the result that the holding current to the relay 20 is switched off and the indicator lamp is switched on.

The time circuit is expediently designed such that primary activation of the indicator lamp cannot be delayed more than a maximum permitted predetermined time. This predetermined time can be adapted to the respective Anzeigevor directions, whereby various times depending on how critical is the function a- for the respective delay units 29 29 d may apply. For example, if the indicator light is used to indicate a low oil level, a shorter time can be selected, and if the indicator light is used to indicate the washing liquid level, a longer time can be selected. The predetermined delay time should preferably be in the range of 10 to 50 seconds, which is a normal time period for a temporary and demanding driving task such as overtaking or for the driver to change over a control.

The embodiment shown with relay can of course also otherwise, for example by one for the Developed IC circuit or with any form of purpose software control.

The first part 7 a of the signal processing unit 7 carries out a determination as to whether there is a demanding driving task or whether the driver is setting or regulating a system which, depending on a first category of sensors 30-45, relates directly or indirectly to the driving task is busy. In this first category sensors at least one of the first and / or second group of sensors is included. The first group of sensors, including sensors 30-37 , is used to determine if the driver is busy with a demanding but temporary driving task. The second group of sensors, which includes sensors 39-45 , is used to determine whether the driver is busy setting or controlling a system that is directly or indirectly related to the driving task.

The first group of sensors can include:

• a sensor 30 , which detects a switching operation, which can be detected via an encoder on the clutch or a number of switching position contacts,
• a sensor 31 which detects the acceleration, either a power transmission contained in the drive belt or the acceleration of the vehicle,
• a sensor 32 , which detects the engine load, in the form of the throttle position, accelerator pedal position, charge air pressure or the like,
• a sensor 33 which detects activated indicators,
• a sensor 34 , which detects activated brakes, in the form of the brake light switched on, the pressure in the brake system or the like,
• a sensor 35 which detects when a gear other than the highest gear is engaged,
• a sensor 36 which detects the current engine speed, and
• - A sensor 37 that detects an engaged reverse gear.

The second group of sensors can include:

• a sensor 39 which detects the momentary influence on the position control for rear-view mirrors,
• a sensor 40 which detects the momentary influence on the position control for the driver's seat,
• a sensor 41 , which detects the momentary influence on the position control for the radio / sound system,
• a sensor 42 , which detects the current influence on the control for the driving computer,
• a sensor 43 which detects the current influence on the control for guide aids,
• - A sensor 44 , which detects the current effect on the position control for the air conditioning system, and
• - A sensor 45 , which detects the current effect on the control for mobile phone or the use of the mobile phone for calls.

In addition to these aforementioned sensors of the first and second groups, a complementary sensor in the form of a speed sensor 38 is used. This expediently detects the speed of the vehicle and, when determining a demanding driving task based on sensors 30-37 of the first group, or when determining whether the driver is busy with setting or regulating a system that is directly or indirectly based on the driving task based on the sensors 39-45 of the second group is used as a supplementary condition. The comparator 15 may conveniently be a e a speed of the order having 5-15 km / h corresponding reference value. This reference value forms a threshold value in the comparator and, if the speed of the vehicle exceeds the threshold value, the comparator 15 e gives the output a high signal level.

The first part 7a of the signal processing unit contains a number of logic circuits or functions 13-15 . The logic circuits 13 a- 13 d set "AND" gates constitute, by which it it is conducive that all the input signals are active high to turn produce a high output signal. The logic circuits 14 a- 14 d "OR" gates represent, by means of which it is required that one is active high on the input signals, to in turn produce a high output signal. The logic circuits 15 a - 15 e represent comparators / comparators which compare the input signal with a reference value or, if the reference value is exceeded, or alternatively falls below, in turn generate a high output signal of the comparator 15 .

In practice, the logic circuits are contained in a circuit in which all circuits operate at a certain signal level, and input signals to and output signals from the first part 7 a of the signal processing unit 7 in interfaces or driver stages the current logic level or the driving force for relays in the second part 7 b of the signal processing unit 7 are adapted. These conventional interfaces and driver stages are not shown in Fig. 2.

In Fig. 2 alone a comparator is shown in more detail, namely the comparator 15 e, which receives the signal from the Ge speed sensor 38 . More comparator 15 a- 15 are constructed in a corresponding way d.

The determination of whether the driver is busy with a demanding but temporary driving task is carried out in the following way:
If the acceleration or engine load given by signals from the sensors 31 or 32 is above a level given by the respective comparator 15 a, 15 b, a high output signal is generated by the respective comparator 15 a, 15 b to the logic circuit 14 a . The logic circuit 14 a also receives a high input signal from the sensor 30 when a switching operation is carried out. If one of the three input signals to the logic circuit 14 a is high, it is indicated that the driver is driving the vehicle in a driving state where a shift or a change in the engaged forward gear of the vehicle is desired or is about to be realized. Shifting is a demanding driving task that can be caused by the driver preparing to overtake or wanting to increase or decrease the speed of the vehicle. High vehicle acceleration indicates a demanding driving task, where the driver is focused on giving the vehicle the right speed in surrounding traffic.

Similarly, high engine load indicates that the driver desires a rapid increase in vehicle speed. The threshold values for the high engine load or acceleration of the drive unit of the motor vehicle are expediently set in relation to whether there is a significant change in relation to a driving state under an essentially constant travel load corresponding to a driving of the vehicle on a flat route. The logic circuit 14 a outputs a high output signal to the logic circuit 14 d when one of the three input signals to the logic circuit 14 a is high. The output signal from logic circuit 14 d, corresponding to signal 26 , then rises and pulls relay 20 , which prevents activation of indicator lamp 10 a if the indicator lamp is not already on.

If the turn signal or the brake system is activated, the sensor 33 or 34 indicates that the driver is busy with a demanding but temporary driving task. When the turn signal is activated, the driver's concentration is focused on steering movements that are required to change lanes or to take a new path, while at the same time the driver has to observe the surrounding traffic. When the braking system is activated, it may be necessary to brake the vehicle due to a traffic obstacle or the need to adjust the speed of the vehicle to the surrounding traffic.

If one of the signals from the sensor 33 or 34 is high, the logic circuit 14 outputs a high output signal b from. The output signal of the logic circuit 14 b then goes to the logic circuit 13 a, which also receives a high input signal from the comparator 15 e when the speed of the vehicle is above a threshold value. If both input signals to logic circuit 13 a are high, logic circuit 13 a outputs a high output signal to logic circuit 14 d. The output signal from the logic circuit 14 d, corresponding to the signal 26 , then rises and pulls the relay 20 , which prevents the activation of the indicator lamp 10 a if the indicator lamp is not already switched on.

In logic circuit 13 b it is detected when two input signals are high at the same time, which means that the highest gear is not engaged, or the speed is above a predetermined level. This driving condition indicates a downshift, which can be initiated to prepare for an overtaking. If both input signals are high to logic circuit 13 b, the logic circuit 13 outputs to the logic circuit 14 b d a high output signal. The output signal from logic circuit 14 d, corresponding to signal 26 , then rises, as already stated, and pulls relay 20 , which prevents activation of indicator lamp 10 a if the indicator lamp is not already on. In Lo gikkreis 13 c is detected when two input signals are high at the same time, which means that the reverse gear is engaged, or the speed is above the predetermined threshold level. This driving condition indicates a backward movement of the vehicle, with the driver often paying attention elsewhere than to the instrument panel. If both input signals to logic circuit 13 b are high, logic circuit 13 b outputs a high output signal to logic circuit 14 d. The output signal from the logic circuit 14 d, corresponding to the signal 26 , then, as already stated, goes up and pulls the relay 20 , which prevents the activation of the indicator lamp 10 a if the indicator lamp is not already on.

The detected driving situations described above indicate that the driver is busy with a demanding but temporary driving task. If a determination as to whether the driver is busy adjusting or regulating any system that is directly or indirectly related to the driving task is to actuate the initiation of the indicator lamps 10 a- 10 b, this is done in the following way:
If one of the signals from the sensors 39-45 is high, the logic circuit 14 c outputs a high output signal to the subsequent logic circuit 13 d. The logic circuit 13 d receives an input signal from the comparator 15 e, which emits a high output signal when the speed of the vehicle exceeds the predetermined threshold. The logic circuit 13 d, which is an "AND" circuit, in turn emits a high output signal only when both input signals are high at the same time, ie when the driver is busy adjusting a control while the vehicle is at a speed has above the threshold. In the embodiment shown, the threshold value is the same as before, preferably between 5 and 15 km / h, which is a threshold value that is used to stop or nearly stop the vehicle from a driving state in which the vehicle is in motion differentiate. If both input signals to the logic circuit 13 d are high, the logic circuit 13 d outputs a high output signal to the logic circuit 14 d. The output signal from the logic circuit 14 d, corresponding to the signal 26 , then goes up, as already stated, and pulls the relay 20 , which prevents the activation of the indicator lamp 10 a if the indicator lamp is not already switched on.

An advantageous addition is that the activation of the An pointing device is delayed a predetermined time when the driver is currently activating other regulations that lead to a peripheral equipment in the vehicle, but not to the system heard that the display device should activate. This be indicates that, for example, the indicator lamp for washing liquid level should not be activated when the climate plant is set, whereas a display device for Overtemperature in the drive unit should be activated, because the air conditioning is set so that a cooling compressor is activated and increases the load on the motor.

The embodiment shown in Fig. 2 is only one example of the inven tion example, how this can be realized with simple logic circles hardware. In certain vehicles, for example, a serial data bus can be used for the instrumentation of the vehicle. Against current parameters / data values corresponding to the sensor signals from sensors 30-45 then appear as data which are added to the data bus in serial form. In these systems, different driving conditions and the use of controls are preferably controlled by software.

In these systems with software-controlled control of demanding driving situations, more complicated conditions for activating the deceleration can be added more easily. For example, the delay may be initiated in stages where stricter conditions are gradually required to maintain the delay in activation of the display device. In the case of the indicator for the washing liquid speed level, a first delay can be initiated for 50 seconds, for example if the engine load is at a level exceeding 70% of the full load. After the first deceleration, a second deceleration sequence can then be initiated, at the same time or shorter if the engine load exceeds 80% of the full load. A third delay sequence may then be initiated, with the same time or shorter, when the engine load exceeds 90% of full load, etc. In a system with logic circuits would have this can have the result that the comparator 15 b after each finished delay frequency changes the reference level or elevated.

For each type of display device, a predetermined maximum delay time t _MAX can be determined, which can be in the range from 1 to 10 minutes, initially due to the type of error to be displayed with the display device. The display of the washing liquid level can, for example, be delayed by up to 10 minutes, while a display, for example of the engine temperature or an oil level that is too low, must not be delayed by more than one minute. Of course, other conditions for determining demanding driving situations can also be implemented. For example, it can be detected whether the ignition is switched on and the speed drops rapidly below the idling speed of the engine, which can indicate an engine breakdown. In such situations, several indicator lamps such as oil pressure and charge lamp can be activated, which can be stressful for the driver. Basically, it may be sufficient that a single indicator light is activated to indicate the engine failure.

The embodiment shown in Fig. 2 with separate delay units Ver 29 a to 29 d has the advantage that an already activated indicator lamp, for example the lamp 10 b to indicate the overtemperature, is not affected if a demanding driving situation should arise, ie that Signal 26 goes up. In contrast, all new activations of indicator lamps are delayed during the demanding driving situation, so that the driver cannot be burdened with new indications in these situations.

Claims (12)

1. Signal display device for vehicles with

• - A number of sensors ( 11 a- 11 d, 30-45 ), which are provided to detect a state in a vehicle system and to emit a state-dependent signal
• - a signal processing unit ( 7 ), to which the sensors are connected directly or indirectly,
• - as well as, arranged in the vicinity of the driver, with activable display devices (10 a-10 d) provided presentation unit, which is connected to the signal processing unit and some in dependence on at least detected by the sensors states is used to the driver various states in a vehicle system notify when a condition in the respective vehicle system matches a predetermined condition,

characterized in that

• - The signal processing unit ( 7 ) is connected directly or indirectly to a first category sensors ( 30-45 ), which contains at least one of a first or a second group of sensors, in which the first group of sensors ( 30-37 , 38 ) signals emits signals which indicate that the driver is busy with a demanding but temporary driving task and the second group of sensors ( 38 , 39-45 ) emits signals which indicate that the driver is busy adjusting or regulating a system, that is directly or indirectly related to the driving task,
• - The signal processing unit ( 7 ) is directly or indirectly connected to a second category of sensors ( 11 a- 11 d), which emits signals by which it is indicated when certain predetermined conditions have occurred in different vehicle systems,
• - And the signal processing unit ( 7 ) means ( 20-22 ) for delaying the activation of the presentation of the display devices ( 10 a- 10 d) that the predetermined states detected by the second category sensors ( 11 a- 11 d) have occurred contains, which means for deceleration are activated by a logic circuit ( 7 a), if at least one of the signals of the first category indicates sensors that the driver with a demanding but temporary driving task or with the setting or regulation of a directly or indirectly on the driving task related system is busy.

2. Method for displaying a system status in a vehicle stuff in which at a predetermined state of a system a display device is activated that the driver on the Draws attention to the state in the system, characterized in that the activation of the display pre direction is delayed a predetermined time when the driver with a temporary but demanding job, which is directly or indirectly related to the driving task, be is busy. 3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that the activation of the Display device is delayed a predetermined time when the drive unit of the motor vehicle, relative to a drive state under essentially constant travel load, accordingly a ride on a level route, in relation to the current drive witnessed acceleration, load on the drive unit or gear ratio in the drive unit an essential undergoes a change. 4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that the activation of the Display device is delayed a predetermined time when the vehicle is in reverse gear. 5. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that the activation of the display pre direction is delayed a predetermined time when that Brake system of the vehicle is activated.   6. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that the activation of the display pre direction is delayed a predetermined time when the driver Direction indicators (indicators) arranged externally on the vehicle activated. 7. The method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the activation of the display pre direction is only delayed a predetermined time if the speed of the vehicle has a predetermined threshold speed exceeds, preferably in the range of 5 up to 15 km / h. 8. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that the activation of the display pre direction is delayed a predetermined time when the driver currently one for peripheral equipment of the vehicle, not however, to the system whose condition the display device should activate, associated control activated. 9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that the peripheral equipment of the Vehicle at least air conditioning, radio, mobile phone, Navigation system, a trip computer and / or systems for Includes driver seat or rearview mirror adjustment. 10. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the activation of the display pre direction a predetermined time in the range of 10 to 50 Se customer is delayed and if the condition after this time still requires activation of the display device that Display device is activated after the predetermined Time is up. 11. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that the activation of the display device is delayed a first predetermined time in the range of 10 to 50 seconds and that when the driver is still busy with a temporary but demanding task, which is directly or indirectly related to the driving task, after the deceleration at least one second deceleration sequence comprising a second predetermined time is activated, so the total deceleration does not exceed a maximum permissible predetermined deceleration t _MAX , which still requires activation of the display device , the display device is activated after the delay has been deactivated.