Service-interval display for motor vehicles

US4533900A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft · DE

Inventors

• Heinz Muhlberger · Unterschleißheim, DE
• Erwin Starmuhler · Munich, DE
• Walter Weishaupt · Munich, DE
• Peter Flohr · Turgi, CH
• Fritz Bourauel · Munich, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 8, 1982
• Grant date: Aug 6, 1985
• Expiry date: Feb 8, 2002

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F16N2260/18
• WIPO field: Engines, pumps, turbines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A service interval display unit for a motor vehicle for alerting the operator of required maintenance wherein actual distance traveled by the vehicle is monitored, and as a factor in determining the service interval, operating parameters such as engine speed, coolant temperature, oil temperature, and/or fuel consumption rate are taken into consideration on a weighted basis to assert earlier a service signal in the display unit when the engine experiences increased periods of higher loads. The display unit includes a series of indicators which are successively extinguished upon attainment of subintervals during the maintenance cycle and warning lights which are energized after attainment of the service interval. Additional warning lights also are provided for emphasizing the expiration of the service interval when the vehicle is operated successive fixed distance intervals beyond the regular service interval.