System state indicator

• US 20050134443A1
• Filed: 10/18/2004
• Published: 06/23/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique SA (Compagnie Generale DES Etablissements Michelin SCA)
• Original Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique SA (Compagnie Generale DES Etablissements Michelin SCA)
• Inventors: Shepherd, Russel, Hottebart, Francois, Bouiges, Thierry
• Granted Patent: US 7,079,018 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/442
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/16 by display
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 7/002 giving both analog and numerical indication
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 7/02 Indicating value of two or more variables simultaneously

Abstract

System state indicator in particular for a vehicle dashboard, the system having a given use potential and comprising evaluation means such that, on the basis of measurements related to the conditions of use of the vehicle and/or the physical characteristics of the system and/or the vehicle and/or the vehicle environment conditions, the evaluation means calculate at a time t parameters characteristic of the state of the system, characterized in that the state indicator simultaneously displays at time t at least three different parameters characteristic of the state of the system and its range.

Claims

1. State indicator for a flat running system comprising at least, for each wheel, a tire casing, a deflation warning device and means of supporting the tread of the tire casing in the event of deflation of the tire casing, in particular for a vehicle dashboard, the said system having a given use potential and comprising evaluation means such that, on the basis of measurements related to the conditions of use of the said vehicle and/or to the physical characteristics of the said system and/or to the said vehicle and/or to the environment conditions of the said vehicle, the said evaluation means calculate at a time t parameters characteristic of the state of the said system, in which the said state indicator simultaneously displays at the said time t at least three different parameters characteristic of the state of the said system and its range.

2. Indicator according to claim 1, in which the said at least three parameters are chosen from amongst the range of use, the maximum and minimum values of the range of use, the use potential and a quantity C related to, or representing, the severity of the parameters of use of the said system at the said given time t.

3. Indicator according to claim 1, such that the said evaluation and display means calculate and display simultaneously:

the potential for use of the said system at the said given time t;

the range of use of the said system at the said given time t; and

a quantity C related to the severity of the parameters of use of the said system at the said given time t.

4. Indicator according to claim 3, in which the said potential is displayed graphically.

5. Indicator according to claim 3, in which the said quantity C is displayed graphically.

6. Indicator according to claim 4, in which the said potential is represented by an area A with a given color whose surface area represents the value of the said potential.

7. Indicator according to claim 6, in which the said area A is separated into two areas A1 and A2 whose respective surface areas are a function of the value of the said quantity C.

8. Indicator according to claim 5, in which the value of the quantity C related to the severity of the current conditions of use of the said vehicle is in addition displayed numerically.

9. Indicator according to claim 1, such that the said evaluation and display means calculate and display simultaneously:

the potential of use of the said system at the said given time t; and

the maximum and minimum possible values of the range of use of the said system at the said given time t.

10. Indicator according to claim 1, such that the said evaluation and display means calculate and display simultaneously:

the range of use of the said system at the said given time t; and

the maximum and minimum possible values of the range of use of the said system at the said given time t.

11. Indicator according to claim 10, in which the said current range of use values and maximum and minimum possible values are shown graphically on a graduated scale.

12. Indicator according to claim 11, in which an index represents the value of the current range of use.

13. Indicator according to claim 11, in which the area of the graduated scale situated between the maximum and minimum possible values of the range of use is identified by a different color different from the background of the said scale.

14. Indicator according to claim 11, in which the maximum and minimum possible values of the range of use at time t are the minimum and maximum boundaries of the said graduated scale.

15. Indicator according claim 11, in which the said graduated scale has a logarithmic scale of values.

16. Indicator according to claim 10, such that it simultaneously displays in addition the potential of use of the said system at the said time t.

17. Indicator according to claim 10, such that it simultaneously displays in addition a quantity or a representation related to, or representing, the severity of the parameters of use of the said system at the said given time t.

18. State indicator according to claim 1, such that it comprises means for:

recording the range of use required by the driver at a given time; and

updating this range of use required by the driver by deducting the distances actually traveled or the actual time of use, according to circumstances.

19. Indicator according to claim 18, in which the evaluation and display means compare the required range and the calculated range, and convert these data into a display recommending to the driver the behavior to be adopted in order to regain a sufficient calculated range of use.

20. Indicator according to claim 2 such that the maximum and minimum values of the range of use of the said system at the said time t are evaluated by integrating the use potential with the said given time t.

21. Indicator according to claim 2, such that the maximum and minimum possible values of the range of use of the said system at the said time t are evaluated by integrating the vehicle driving parameters.

22. Indicator according to claim 2, in which the maximum and minimum possible values of the range of use of the said system at the time t are evaluated by integrating the vehicle environment parameters.

23. Indicator according to claim 2, in which the quantity C, representing the severity of the current conditions of use of the said system, is the temperature of the internal air of the tire casing.

24. On-board “

monitoring and recommendation”

system, characterized in that it uses at least one state indicator according to claim 1, controlled by electronic memory and logic circuit means, in particular one or more algorithms, supplied with information coming from appropriate sensors.

25. System according to claim 24, such that it comprises a screen capable of successively displaying at least two “

modes”

, that is to say at least two different display systems relating to different functionalities, chosen from amongst the “

fuel range”

, “

tire wear range”

, “

flat running system range”

, “

range before service”

, “

battery range”

modes and the like, with a function of priority display of the failed mode, the successive display being controlled at least partially by a control means activated by the driver or at least partially controlled automatically by the logic system and its memory.