Customizable low fuel indicator system

• US 6,940,401 B2
• Filed: 09/05/2003
• Issued: 09/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: FCA US LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Daimler Chrysler Corporation (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Taxon, Morse N
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAM, TOAN NGOC
• Application Number:
  US10/655,784
• Publication Number:
  US 20050062593A1
• Time in Patent Office: 732 Days
• Field of Search: 340/450.2, 340/450, 340/439, 701/123, 701/99, 731/13, 731/14
• US Class Current: 340/450.2
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 9/001 with electric, electro-mechanic or electronic means G01F9/008 and G01F9/02 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 9/023 with electric, electro-mechanic or electronic means

Abstract

A customizable low fuel indicator system for a motor vehicle having an engine control unit storing the average fuel economy of the motor vehicle. A fuel tank sensor is in electronic communication with the engine control unit and is adapted to sense the amount of fuel remaining in a fuel tank of the motor vehicle. An indicator is in electronic communication with the engine control unit. An input device is in communication with the electronic control unit for selecting a threshold distance to empty. The engine control unit calculates a distance to empty value based on the average fuel economy and the amount of fuel sensed by the fuel tank sensor. The indicator is activated by the engine control unit when the distance to empty is less than the threshold distance to empty.

Claims

1. A customizable low fuel indicator system for a motor vehicle comprising:

a control unit for calculating and storing the average fuel economy of the motor vehicle;

a fuel tank sensor in electronic communication with the control unit and adapted to sense the amount of fuel remaining in a fuel tank of the motor vehicle;

an indicator in electronic communication with the control unit;

an input device in communication with the control unit for selecting a threshold distance to empty;

wherein the control unit calculates a distance to empty value based on the average fuel economy and the amount of fuel sensed by the fuel tank sensor; and

wherein the indicator is activated by the control unit when the distance to empty is less than the threshold distance to empty.

2. The customizable low fuel indicator system of claim 1, wherein the indicator is a visual indicator adapted to be mounted within a dashboard of the motor vehicle.

3. The customizable low fuel indicator system of claim 2, wherein the visual indicator is a light emitting diode.

4. The customizable low fuel indicator system of claim 1, further comprising an audible indicator in communication with the control unit, the audible indicator activated by the control unit when the distance to empty is less than the threshold distance to empty.

5. The customizable low fuel indicator system of claim 1, wherein the input device is a trip computer.

6. A method for warning the driver of a motor vehicle when the fuel within the motor vehicle is running low based on a driver selected distance to empty, the method comprising:

selecting a threshold distance to empty;

calculating and storing an average fuel economy of the motor vehicle;

sensing the amount of fuel within the fuel tank of the motor vehicle;

calculating a distance the motor vehicle can travel until empty based on the average fuel economy and the amount of fuel; and

activating an indicator if the distance to empty is less than the threshold distance to empty.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the indicator is a visual indicator that emits light when activated.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising activating an audible indicator if the distance to empty is less than the threshold distance to empty.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the threshold distance to empty is selected through a trip computer in the motor vehicle.