GB2174145A

GB2174145A - Pre-heating system for vehicle ignition components

Info

Publication number: GB2174145A
Application number: GB08606814A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Doris Maureen Moorey
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1985-03-21
Filing date: 1986-03-19
Publication date: 1986-10-29
Also published as: GB8606814D0; GB8507398D0

Abstract

A passenger vehicle has a system for pre-heating ignition components (2) of the vehicle engine to facilitate starting. The system includes an electrical heating element (31), an electrically drivable air circulation device (14) and control means (20, 22) for operation of the heating element (31) and the device (14). A battery (26) powers the element (31) and the device (14), and the control means includes a pre-settable timer (22) for switching on the heating system just before the vehicle is used. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Pre-heating system for vehicles

Description The invention relates to systems for pre-heating vehicle ignition components for use in particular on passenger vehicles. The system may be sold as retro-fit kits or be part of the original equipment of the vehicle.

Background The starting of vehicles in cold damp conditions can be difficult. Various aids to improve this problem do not always work and can be difficult to operate in the dark, leading to personal delays and calls on garages etc. for assistance.

It is amongst the objects of the invention to facilitate the starting of engines, particularly those with spark ignition.

Summary of invention According to the invention there is provided a system for pre-heating components of an ignition of a vehicle, said system including an electrical heating element, an electrically drivable air circulation device for conveying heated air to the ignition components, control means for operation of the heating element and the air circulation device, and a battery for powering the heating element and the air circulating device to preheat the ignition components prior to engine start. The combination of air flow and heat, preferably directed at the distributor, considerably improves starting performance.

The control means can be used to pre-set operation of the system so that preheating will commence in the absence of the driver if necessary.

Thus a driver can set the control means so that the distributor is preheated at the time of intended departure. Starting problems in cold, damp and dark conditions can be reduced.

In an exemplary form of the invention the air circulation device is arranged to convey air past the heating element and onto a distributor of the engine. The air circulation device in the form of a small fan or blower and the heating element in the form of suitably coiled resistance wire can be switched on simultaneously. This form of the invention requires few components and may be most suitable for a retro-fit installation.

Advantageously the control means is operable from the driver's compartment in association with a time clock to enable the heating element and fan to be switched on at a pre-arranged time for a prearranged period.

Depending on engineering requirements the system components may be constituted by pre-existing components of a vehicle. Thus where appropriate existing batteries, fans, thermostats, timing clocks can be used to form part of the system to improve engine starting.

Drawing The Figure shows, schematically, the main components of a system for pre-heating vehicle ignition components of a vehicle.

With reference to the Figure, a system for preheating the distributor area 2 comprises a small, electric motor driven fan 14 for expelling air sucked in through inlets 10 through an outlet tube 30 after heating by a heating element arrangement 31. The airflow is indicated by arrows A.

A manually operable knob 30 in the driver's compartment can be used to set a timer 22 associated with the vehicle clock. The driven can program the desired starting time by using the knob 20 to ensure that the fan 14 and heating element 31 are switched on to commence warming the distributor area 1 just before the driver intends to set off.

The fan 14 and heating element 31 are energised simultaneously for a given period so that the engine is ready to switch on when the driver arrives.

The fan 14 may expel heated air onto the distributor area 2 or may be associated with a cowling or air guides 38 to ensure that the heated air enveiopes the electrical components to be drived by the system prior to starting up. The battery 26 cannot drain as the control means in the form of a timer 22 only energises the fan 14 and element 31 for a limited period.

The fan and heating element arrangement may be powered from a separate battery additional to the usual car-battery or the system may be powered from the usual car battery 26. The heating elements 31 may be an electric filament heater.

The switch 35 may also be provided to enable the system to be switched on without delay.

The system of the invention can be of considerable benefit to shift workers, farmers etc who have to depart at night or in the early morning in darkness. The system of the invention does not change existing ignition systems but may significantly reduce starting problems encountered in wet/cold conditions on engines having spark-ignition. The system can be retro-fitted easily.

CLAIMS 1. A system for pre-heating components of an ignition of a vehicle, said system including an electrical heating element, an eiectrically drivable air circulation device for conveying heated air to the ignition components, control means for operation of the heating element and the air circulation device, and a battery for powering the heating element and the air circulating device to preheat the ignition components prior to engine start.

2. A system according to claim 1 in which the air circulation device is arranged to convey air past the heating element and onto a distributor of the engine.

3. A system according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the control means is associated with a clock and is operable from the driver's compartment to enable the heating element and fan to be switched on at a pre-arranged time prior to the intended time of departure.

4. A system according to claim 3 in which the control means is operabe to enable the heating

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Pre-heating system for vehicles Description The invention relates to systems for pre-heating vehicle ignition components for use in particular on passenger vehicles. The system may be sold as retro-fit kits or be part of the original equipment of the vehicle. Background The starting of vehicles in cold damp conditions can be difficult. Various aids to improve this problem do not always work and can be difficult to operate in the dark, leading to personal delays and calls on garages etc. for assistance. It is amongst the objects of the invention to facilitate the starting of engines, particularly those with spark ignition. Summary of invention According to the invention there is provided a system for pre-heating components of an ignition of a vehicle, said system including an electrical heating element, an electrically drivable air circulation device for conveying heated air to the ignition components, control means for operation of the heating element and the air circulation device, and a battery for powering the heating element and the air circulating device to preheat the ignition components prior to engine start. The combination of air flow and heat, preferably directed at the distributor, considerably improves starting performance. The control means can be used to pre-set operation of the system so that preheating will commence in the absence of the driver if necessary. Thus a driver can set the control means so that the distributor is preheated at the time of intended departure. Starting problems in cold, damp and dark conditions can be reduced. In an exemplary form of the invention the air circulation device is arranged to convey air past the heating element and onto a distributor of the engine. The air circulation device in the form of a small fan or blower and the heating element in the form of suitably coiled resistance wire can be switched on simultaneously. This form of the invention requires few components and may be most suitable for a retro-fit installation. Advantageously the control means is operable from the driver's compartment in association with a time clock to enable the heating element and fan to be switched on at a pre-arranged time for a prearranged period. Depending on engineering requirements the system components may be constituted by pre-existing components of a vehicle. Thus where appropriate existing batteries, fans, thermostats, timing clocks can be used to form part of the system to improve engine starting. Drawing The Figure shows, schematically, the main components of a system for pre-heating vehicle ignition components of a vehicle. With reference to the Figure, a system for preheating the distributor area 2 comprises a small, electric motor driven fan 14 for expelling air sucked in through inlets 10 through an outlet tube 30 after heating by a heating element arrangement 31. The airflow is indicated by arrows A. A manually operable knob 30 in the driver's compartment can be used to set a timer 22 associated with the vehicle clock. The driven can program the desired starting time by using the knob 20 to ensure that the fan 14 and heating element 31 are switched on to commence warming the distributor area 1 just before the driver intends to set off. The fan 14 and heating element 31 are energised simultaneously for a given period so that the engine is ready to switch on when the driver arrives. The fan 14 may expel heated air onto the distributor area 2 or may be associated with a cowling or air guides 38 to ensure that the heated air enveiopes the electrical components to be drived by the system prior to starting up. The battery 26 cannot drain as the control means in the form of a timer 22 only energises the fan 14 and element 31 for a limited period. The fan and heating element arrangement may be powered from a separate battery additional to the usual car-battery or the system may be powered from the usual car battery 26. The heating elements 31 may be an electric filament heater. The switch 35 may also be provided to enable the system to be switched on without delay. The system of the invention can be of considerable benefit to shift workers, farmers etc who have to depart at night or in the early morning in darkness. The system of the invention does not change existing ignition systems but may significantly reduce starting problems encountered in wet/cold conditions on engines having spark-ignition. The system can be retro-fitted easily. CLAIMS

1. A system for pre-heating components of an ignition of a vehicle, said system including an electrical heating element, an eiectrically drivable air circulation device for conveying heated air to the ignition components, control means for operation of the heating element and the air circulation device, and a battery for powering the heating element and the air circulating device to preheat the ignition components prior to engine start.

element and fan to be switched on for a pre-arranged period.

5. A system according to any of the preceding claims in which the control means is operable to enable the heating element and fan to be switched on as and when required under driver control.

6. A system substantially as described with reference to and as shown in the Figure.

7. A vehicle having a system according to any of the preceding claims in which the control means is associated with a clock on the dashboard of the vehicle.

8. A vehicle. having a system according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 6 in which the battery is the battery chargeable by the vehicle engine.

9. A retro-fit kit for providing a system according to any of claims 1 to 6.