# US 10,480,983 B2 · Washer fluid level display control systems and methods > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,480,983 B2 - Document ID: US10480983B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/910,249 - Filed: 2018-03-02 - Published: 2019-09-05 - Granted: 2019-11-19 - Earliest claimed: 2018-03-02 - Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Applicants: GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Inventors: Norman J. Weigert; Ralph G. Brown; Benjamin M. Ekola - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10480983B2 ## CPC - G01F 23/804: {containing circuits handling parameters other than liquid level} - G01F 23/808: {containing circuits handling parameters other than liquid level} - B60R 16/0231: {Circuits relating to the driving or the functioning of the vehicle (monitoring tyres B60C23/00; indicating overspeed B60K31/00; for dash boards B60K37/00, B60Q3/10; for indicating emergencies B60Q1/52; brake control systems B60T; registering or indicating the working of vehicles G07C5/00; measuring distance G01C, e.g. combinations of speed and distance G01C23/00; engine indicators G01L; measuring speed or acceleration G01P)} - B60S 1/481: {the operation of at least part of the liquid supply being controlled by electric means (electrical washing liquid warming-up means B60S1/488)} - G01F: MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - B60S: SERVICING, CLEANING, REPAIRING, SUPPORTING, LIFTING, OR MANOEUVRING OF VEHICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract A washer fluid level indication system of a vehicle determines a present volume of washer fluid present within a washer fluid reservoir. A flowrate module is configured to determine a volume of washer fluid dispensed based on a measured voltage applied to a washer fluid pump and a predetermined volumetric flowrate of dispensing washer fluid calibrated based on a predetermined voltage. The flowrate module is configured to subtract the volume of washer fluid dispensed from the present volume. A level module is configured to determine a present level of washer fluid within the washer fluid reservoir based on the present volume and a predetermined maximum volume of the washer fluid reservoir. A display control module is configured to display the present level of washer fluid within the washer fluid reservoir using a washer level indicator. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A washer fluid level indication system of a vehicle, comprising: a volume module configured to determine a present volume of washer fluid present within a washer fluid reservoir; a flowrate module configured to determine a volume of washer fluid dispensed based on a measured voltage applied to a washer fluid pump and a predetermined volumetric flowrate of dispensing washer fluid calibrated based on a predetermined voltage, wherein the flowrate module is configured to subtract the volume of washer fluid dispensed from the present volume; a level module configured to determine a present level of washer fluid within the washer fluid reservoir based on the present volume and a predetermined maximum volume of the washer fluid reservoir; and a display control module configured to display the present level of washer fluid within the washer fluid reservoir using a washer level indicator. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The washer fluid level indication system of claim 1 wherein the flowrate module is configured to: determine a present volumetric flowrate of washer fluid being dispensed based on the measured voltage applied to the washer fluid pump, the predetermined volumetric flowrate, and the predetermined voltage; and determine the volume of washer fluid dispensed based on the present volumetric flowrate. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The washer fluid level indication system of claim 2 wherein the flowrate module is configured to determine the volume of washer fluid dispensed based on a mathematical integral of the present volumetric flowrate with respect to time. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The washer fluid level indication system of claim 2 wherein the flowrate module is configured to: determine a voltage scalar based on the measured voltage applied to the washer fluid pump and the predetermined voltage; and determine the present volumetric flowrate as a function of the predetermined volumetric flowrate and the voltage scalar. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The washer fluid level indication system of claim 4 wherein the flowrate module is configured to set the present volumetric flowrate based on the predetermined volumetric flowrate multiplied by the voltage scalar. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The washer fluid level indication system of claim 4 wherein the flowrate module is configured to set the voltage scalar based on the measured voltage applied to the washer fluid pump divided by the predetermined voltage. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The washer fluid level indication system of claim 1 wherein the display control module is configured to selectively request user input indicative of whether washer fluid has been added to the washer fluid reservoir. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The washer fluid level indication system of claim 7 wherein the display control module is configured to request user input indicative of whether washer fluid has been added to the washer fluid reservoir in response to an indication that a hood of the vehicle is open. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The washer fluid level indication system of claim 8 further comprising a hood sensor configured to monitor whether the hood is open or closed and generate a signal indicative of whether the hood is open or closed. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The washer fluid level indication system of claim 7 wherein the display control module is configured to request user input indicative of whether washer fluid has been added to the washer fluid reservoir in response to an indication that a hood of the vehicle was opened and closed. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The washer fluid level indication system of claim 7 wherein: the display control module is configured to, in response to receipt of user input indicating that washer fluid has been added to the washer fluid reservoir, request user input indicative of whether the washer fluid reservoir was completely filled; and the volume module is configured to set the present volume to the predetermined maximum volume in response to receipt of user input indicating that the washer fluid reservoir was completely filled. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The washer fluid level indication system of claim 7 wherein: the display control module is configured to, in response to receipt of user input indicating that washer fluid has been added to the washer fluid reservoir, request user input indicative of whether one complete container has been added to the washer fluid reservoir; and the volume module is configured to add a predetermined volume of the one complete container to the present volume in response to receipt of user input indicating that one complete container has been added to the washer fluid reservoir. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The washer fluid level indication system of claim 1 further comprising a voltage sensor configured to measure the measured voltage applied to the washer fluid pump. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The washer fluid level indication system of claim 1 wherein the washer level indicator includes an analog gauge. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The washer fluid level indication system of claim 1 wherein the washer level indicator includes a digital gauge. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The washer fluid level indication system of claim 1 wherein the washer level indicator is displayed on a display. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The washer fluid level indication system of claim 1 wherein the level module is configured to set the present level of washer fluid within the washer fluid reservoir to one of a predetermined set of predetermined levels based on the present volume. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The washer fluid level indication system of claim 17 wherein the predetermined set of predetermined levels includes at least three different predetermined levels. ### Claim 19 A vehicle system, comprising: at least one memory comprising computer executable instructions; at least one processor configured to read and execute the computer executable instructions, the computer executable instructions causing the at least one processor to: determine a present volume of washer fluid present within a washer fluid reservoir; determine a volume of washer fluid dispensed based on a measured voltage applied to a washer fluid pump and a predetermined volumetric flowrate of dispensing washer fluid calibrated based on a predetermined voltage; subtract the volume of washer fluid dispensed from the present volume; determine a present level of washer fluid within the washer fluid reservoir based on the present volume and a predetermined maximum volume of the washer fluid reservoir; and display the present level of washer fluid within the washer fluid reservoir using a washer level indicator. ### Claim 20 A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising computer executable instructions, the computer executable instructions configured to cause a processor to perform a method, the method comprising: determining a present volume of washer fluid present within a washer fluid reservoir; determining a volume of washer fluid dispensed based on a measured voltage applied to a washer fluid pump and a predetermined volumetric flowrate of dispensing washer fluid calibrated based on a predetermined voltage; subtracting the volume of washer fluid dispensed from the present volume; determining a present level of washer fluid within the washer fluid reservoir based on the present volume and a predetermined maximum volume of the washer fluid reservoir; and displaying the present level of washer fluid within the washer fluid reservoir using a washer level indicator.