| DE2916554A1 | 1979-10-25 | |||
| DE2745621A1 | 1979-04-12 | |||
| DE2450149A1 | 1975-09-25 |
| 1. | A circuit arrangement for controlling the fuel consumption and the detrimental material emission of vehicles driven by an internal combustion engine, using an 5 existing or an additionally builtin electromagnetic idle jet control element and the pedal clutch, c h a r a c e¬ r i z e d in that said circuit arrangement comprising an idle run breaking clutch switch (2) inserted into the circuit between the supply voltage (V) and the electromag 10 netic idle jet control (1) and which closes the idle jet control circuit when the pedal clutch is pressed, at its upper play range, furthermore a starter breaking clutch switch (10) in the directly or indirectly operating circuit of the starter (9), which closes the starter circuit when 15 the pedal clutch is pressed deeper than the clutching point of the clutch structure and than the closing point of the idle run breaking clutch switch (2). |
| 2. | The circuit arrangement as claimed in claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z ε d iπ having a stoplight switch (3) 20 which closes when the vehicle foot brake pedal is pressed, said stoplight switch (3) being in parallel circuit with the idle run breaking clutch switch (2). |
| 3. | The circuit arrangement as claimed in claim 2 c h a r a c t e r i z e d in further comprising a 25 threshold value sensor (4) for the speed of rotation of the engine which in connected series with the stoplight switch (3) and with cuts off when a specified particular speed of rotation is reached or exceeded. |
| 4. | The circuit arrangement as claimed in any of the 30 claims 1 to 3, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that a voltage controlled breaker (5) is connected parallεlly with the idle run breaking clutch switch (2), and which breaker is closed if the supply voltage (V) drops below a previously specified threshold value. |
| 5. | Any of the circuit arrangements according to claims 1 to 4, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in having a gear box breaker switch (6) which is closed when the gear box is in neutral position, and a seriesconnected in moto eter breaker, which is closed when the vehicle is in motion, the series of said gear box breaker switch (6) and said motometer breaker being connected parallelly with the idle run breaking clutch switch (2). |
| 6. | Any of the circuit arrangements according to claims 1 to 5, c h a r a c t e r i z e d by that there is a parking brake breaker switch (8), which closes when the parking brake is drawn up and which is in parallel with the idle run breaking clutch switch (2). |
| 7. | The circuit arrangement claimed in any of the claims l to 6, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the starter breaking clutch switch (10) is seriesconnected with an engine turning indicator breaker (11) unit which is opened when the motor is turning and which is substantially delayed preferably by 12 seconds from the starting of rotation of the engine. |
| 8. | The circuit arrangement according to claim 7 c h a r a c t e r i z e d the fact, that the engine turning indicator breaker (11) is a sensor element for thrεsholded sensing the motor oil pressure and/or the current charging the car battery. |
| 9. | The circuit arrangement claimed in any of the claims I to B, c a r a c t e r i z e d , in that there is a temperature guard (12) switching element which cuts off out of a specified, suitable motor operation tempera¬ ture range and which is connected in parallel with the idle. |
| 10. | The circuit arrangement according to claim 5, c h a r a c t e r i z e d , that twostroke engines the gear box breaker switch (6) is replaced with a mechanical switch breaking the circuit when the accelerator pedal is pressed. |
REDUCING THE FUEL CONSUMPTION AND THE EMISSION OF
POLLUTING MATERIALS OF I.C.E. DRIVEN VEHICLES
The subject of the invention is a circuit arrange¬ ment for controlling the fuel consumption and polluting material emission of I.C.E. driven vehicles provided with a clutch pedal by means of the control element of the electromagnetic idle jet and having an automatic engine start-stop control function as well.
It is well known that many types of vehicles apply idle operation mode at each stage of their operation i.e. Q during the engine run, the idle jet is always active. In case of certain types , the idle jet in engine brake mode is disengaged from operation.
To reduce fuel consumption and air pollution 5 by detrimental materials a start-stop operating mode is applied with several engines. In many cases the control of start-stop system is performed by the clutch pedal or by the switch operated by it, as in case of patent specifications N- US 4 453 506 and N- DE 25 17 906 0
The specification N- DE 19 00 930 issued in the
German Federal Republic, refers to an electromagnetic idle jet closing system for Otto engines. A certain speed of rotation can be adjusted with the help of a poteπtio- 5 meter. Over this value the gasoline inlet is closed. If the speed of rotation decreases the idle run is set again A similar solution is contained in specification N— DE 16 01 406 (gFR).
Q However, there is no such a solution among the documents available, where the control of the carburetter idle jet is equipped with an automatic regulator which can be inactivated both in pull and push modes and is combined with an automatic start-stop system at the same time .
Our aim was to develop the solution decribed abo¬ ve, for decreasing fuel consumption and polluting material emission.
The fundamental principlsof the invention is that, in certain cases, the idle jet can be closed in pull mode as well, in this way the more favourable fuel-air mixture reduces the fuel consumption and in particular the emissi¬ on of polluting eterial. The two above mentioned effects can be further improved if, in addition to it the automa¬ tic start-stop control of the engine is also realized in such a way that stopping is effected by ceasing the fuel supply and not by turning off the ignition i.e. the start-stop function is realized by the status-combinations of the operating elements of the vehicle.
There is an other idea, namely that the basic cont¬ rol functions can be obtained if the clutch pedal is used for double control, but further convenience and practical functions can be realized by means of sensors and switching elements connected to the operating elements as supple¬ ments. The latter are suitably mechanically operated micro- -switches .
The solution, involved in the present invention, in its most general form, is a circuit arrangement to reduce fuel consumption and the emission of polluting materials of I.C.E. driven vehicles. The pedal clutch, in its upper play range, closes a clutch switch which stops the idle mode. This switch is part of the controll¬ ing operating circuit of the electromagnetic idle jet, furthermore there is a starter breaking clutch switch in the direct starter circuit or in the indirect, operat¬ ing circuit of the starter, which closes at a point lower
than the closing point of the afore-mentioned switch and than the clutching point of the clutch structure.
The main idea of the solution, involved in the invention is illustrated in Figure 1, on a schematic cir¬ cuit diagram. In this figure the optional control switches or sensors of suitable realisation are indicated as well.
The supply voltage ("V") of the vehicle, which is typically provided by batteries in case of motor vehic¬ les, should be led to the control element of the electro¬ magnetic idle jet (1) and to the starter (9). This is traditionally carried out by direct supply or in an indi¬ rect way, through a relay. The connection/disconnection is performed by the ignition and starter switch (13).
During the practical application of the solution involved in the present invention, the ignition and starter switch (13) remains at its original place, however sensing and electrically switching elements will be included in the above mentioned two circuits. These elements effect con¬ nection and disconnection if certain physical conditions or drivers operations take place. The arrangement and the operation of these elements provide the novelty and the progressive feature of this invention.
Two switches are fitted to the clutch pedal.
Both the idle (2) and the starter (10) breaking clutch switches are closed when the foot pedal is pressed. They break the circuits of the electromagnetic idle jet control (1) elements and those of the starter (9) respec¬ tively, directly or through a relay.
The operating sequence of the closing points - and that of the breaking points considered to be iden¬ tical with them - of the two breaking swithes on the
pedal clutch is also very important.
Let the point be referred to as clutching point, what is actually a short range, where the clutch depend-
5 ing on the pedal clutch position, creates the transmissi¬ on between the engine and the wheels. The closing point of the idle breaking clutch switch (2) is the clutching point of the pedal clutch within the range of the foot pedal play, while the closing point of the starter break-
10 ing clutch switch (10) is after this point.
Further breaking elements are connected paralelly, according to the favourable construction form, into the control circuit of the electromagnetic idle jet (1). These are as follows:
- The stop-light switch (3), which closes when the brake pedal is pressed. This is a normal accessory for vehicles
- A threshold value sensor (4) for the speed of rotation of the engine is optional, but advisable. This sensor
23 (4) breake if the speed of rotation of the engine exceeds a type specific threshold value, and it is in a logical 'and' link with the stop-light switch (3).
- The voltage controlled breaker (5) which is closed un¬ der a certain value of the supply voltage (V).
- The gear box breaker switch (6) series-connected with the motometer breaker (7) which become closed in the idle position ol ihs year box or when the vehicle is moving ,respectively - making use of the output driving
30 the speedometer. This branch is necessary only in case of vehicles provided with a power brake.
- The parking brake breaker switch (8), which is closed when the parking brake is drawn in.
- The temperature guard (12) which is closed when the temperature is outside the optimal working temperature range of the engine.
A further, suitably applied circuit breaking ele¬ ment is the engine turning indicator breaker (11), which can be involved in the direct or indirect control circuit of the starter (9), when it is in series with the starter breaking clutch switch (10).
The operation of the above mentioned elements is described as follows:
The vehicle, remondelled according to the circuit arrangement, will start in the following way. The pedal clutch is pressed thus the starter breaking clutch switch (10) closes the circuit of the starter (9) in a direct or an indirect way, for example through a relay, and the starter (9) starts the vehicle engine. If an engine turπ- ing indicator breaker (11) is involved it will cut off the circuit of the starter (9) in a short while, typically with a delay of 1-2 sec. In case of a standing engine it can be considered a closed switch. Breaking may take place by means of sensing any kind of physical parameters referming to " the engine operating status by the appearance of any signal which is static or periodic in time. Practi¬ cally it can be the oil pressure, of the engine or if the battery charging current gets to a certain threshold value. Thus, for example, the engine turning indicator breaker (11) can be a relay controlled by the signal of the oil pressure switch. In case of automatic engine start¬ ing the switch eliminates the possibility of re-starting the engine running already.
Due to the closed idle breaking clutch switch on pressing the pedal clutch the electromagnetic idle jet control (1) activates the idle jet, providing the idle run needed for starting off.
Due to the, previously described, closing sequence of the idle breaking clutch switch (2) and the starter breaking clutch switch (10), there is an idle run even in case of low pressure.
Re-starting, by pressing the foo pedal is possible only if the engine is not mechanically connected to the wheels. Furthermore, for gear change, i.e. when the clutch is pressed the idle run is always provided.
In case of a moving vehicle the electromagnetic idle run jet is energized, or operates, when the driver presses the pedal clutch for gear change and by this the idle breaking clutch switch (2) is pressed as well. The engine stops automatically, the accelerator pedal is rele* ased and the gear box is in a neutral position and the pedal clutch is released.
By pressing the pedal clutch the engine starts and by its release the vehicle starts off. Using of the circuit arrangement involved in the invention, the above described processes take place automatically, thus the driver of the vehicle should perform the usual starting operations not depending on the running or standing status of the engine.
Stopping is achieved not by the ignition breaking but by stopping the fuel supply, which means, that the combustion process is more effective than the previous one and the emission of polutiπg materials is also decre¬ ased .
Furthermore after stopping, suitably, the current supply for the ignition unit and the important electrical loads should be cut off.
In sace of a suitable realization of the invention a built-in stop-light switch provides the idle run if the clutch is not pressed, but the engine stop is not required for a short waiting period in case of a standing vehicle. Pressing the pejdal clutch closes the built-in switching element of the circuit of the electromagnetic idle jet control (1) and makes the idle jet operate and provides the idle run.
After stopping, the driver may keep the break pedal pressed, by which the engine stop can be temporarily pre¬ vented.
If a threshold value sensor (4) for the speed of rotation of the engine is built-in, it prevents idle jet operation over an engine type specific critical idle run speed of rotation in spite of the brake pedal being pressed.
If the voltage of the voltage supply (V), which is usually provided by batteries, is reduced below a cri¬ tical value, to maintain continuous charging, the volta¬ ge controlled breaker (5) is suitable for switching over the system into the traditional operating mode of perma¬ nent idle run till the voltage is recreated by the elec- trical charger of the vehicle.
In the suitable practical realization of the cir¬ cuit arrangement involved in the invention, when the ve¬ hicle is in motion - this is indicated by the closed status
of the motometer breaker - and at the same time the gear change is in neutral position - it is indicated by the closed status of the gear box breaker (6) - through the two mentioned series-connected sensiπg-switchiπg elements the idle jet is activated. It can be necessary, that during coasting, the engine should not stop without pressing the accelerator or brake pedals. This is a safety function for vehicles with a power brake.
If a breaker switch (8) is built into the parking brake by drawing up the parking brake - by closing the circuit of the electromagnetic idle jet control (1) - with an other condition also fulfilled, the idle jet ac¬ tive status is provided. Namely, if the driver draws up the parking brake, the idle run remains without pressing any of the pedals. It is not indispensably necessary but if means confort if running is interrupted by short stop¬ pings .
The task of the temperature guard (12) is that if the engine of the vehicle is not inside the optimal range of the operating temperature, either in case of lower or higher temperatures, it closes the circuit of idle run, thus the cold engine receives a mixture opulent in fuel and the overwarmed engine is given a cooling pos¬ sibility .
We note, that in case of the two-stroke engines the fuel supply must not be stopped during a forced idle run due to the lubrication of moving parts. Thus the gear box breaker switch should be replaced with such a mechani¬ cal switch which breaking the electromagnetic idle jet control circuit (1) when the accelerator pedal is pressed.
The advantages of the circuit arrangement are as follows it can be built into most vehicles without using an automatic gear box; it is simple, as it only requires the additional mounting of mechanical operated breaking micro -switches and mainly the use of sensors already available on the vehicle.