GB2281263A

GB2281263A - Discharging static elctricity from motor vehicles

Info

Publication number: GB2281263A
Application number: GB9417013A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Shizuo Kawai
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-08-23
Filing date: 1994-08-23
Publication date: 1995-03-01
Anticipated expiration: 2014-08-23
Also published as: IT1272794B; CN1104296A; ITRM940550A1; GB2281263B; KR950005675A; DE4429802A1; JPH0761296A; ITRM940550A0; FR2709274A1; CA2130215A1; GB9417013D0

Description

2281263 1

TITLE OF THE INVENTION

VEHICLE OF ANY DESIRED TYPE; ENGINE TO BE LOADED ON THE VEHICLE; AND ENGINE IMPROVING AUXILIARY APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [Field of the Invention]

This invention relates to the technical field for enhancing fuel consumption efficiency of a vehicle of any desired type such as an automotive vehicle, a scooter or an autobicycle.

[Brief Description of the Prior Art]

Heretofore, efforts have been concentrated mostly on improvement or innovation of an engine body in order to enhance ef f iciency of fuel consumption of an engine. And huge amounts of search and development expenses have been and still being spent for searching and developing the enhancement of fuel consumption efficiency. However, it is the actual situation that an entirely satisfactory means for enhancing the fuel consumption efficiency of an engine is still difficult to find.

The inventor of the present invention previously invented a discharge antenna assembly capable of discharging static electricity generated in a vehicle such as an automotive vehicle or the like. And during test running of the vehicle equipped with the discharge antenna assembly, the present inventor has discovered an astonishing f act. The f act is that 2 the fuel consumption efficiency of an engine is considerably enhanced In the vehicle equipped with the discharge antenna assembly.

On the basis of the above astonishing fact, the present inventor continued a hard work challenging to the difficult problem for enhancing the fuel consumption efficiency of an engine and has finally accomplished the present invention.

OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It Is, therefore, a general object of the present invention to provide a vehicle of any desired type such as an automotive vehicle, scooter or an autobicycle, an engine to be mounted on the vehicle, and an engine improving auxiliary apparatus, any one of which is capable of enhancing fuel consumption efficiency of an engine.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided, in order to achieve the above object, a vehicle, in which an electric discharge device is mounted on an engine to be loaded on a vehicle of any desired type such as an automotive vehicle, a scooter, or an autobicycle, so that electricity such as high voltage electricity and static electricity generated in the engine portion may be released and discharged outside.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a vehicle, in which an electric discharge device is mounted on an optionally selected location of a body V - 3 of a vehicle of any desired type such as an automotive vehicle, a scooter, or an autobicycle and connected to an engine, which is to be loaded on the vehicle, through connection means of a conductive material such as an electrical wire.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a vehicle, in which an electric discharge device is mounted on a vehicle body or on one of associated members thereof having somewhat electrical conductivity with an engine which is to be loaded on a vehicle of any desired type such as an automotive vehicle, a scooter, or an autobicycle.

According to a still further aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a vehicle, in which an electric discharge device provided with a forced electric discharge means such as a rotary vane Is mounted on an engine which is to be loaded on a vehicle of any desired type such as an automotive vehicle, a scooter, or an autobicycle.

According to a yet further aspect of the present invention, there is also provided an engine to be loaded on a vehicle, in which an electric discharge device is mounted on an engine of any desired type or on one of associated members thereof so that electricity such as high voltage electricity and static electricity generated in the engine portion can be released and discharged outside.

According to an additional aspect of the present invention, 4 there is also provided an engine to be loaded on a vehicle, in which an electric discharge device is mounted on a location away from a body of an engine of any desired type and connected to the engine through connection means of a conductive material such as an electrical wire, so that electricity such as high voltage electricity and static electricity which is generated or accumulated during operation of the engine can be discharged outside.

According to a second additional aspect of the present invention, there is also provided an engine to be loaded on a vehicle, In which a forced electric discharge device Is mounted on an engine of any desired type, so that electricity such as high voltage electricity and static electricity which is generated or accumulated during operation of the engine can be discharged outside.

According to a third additional aspect of the present invention, there is also provided an engine to be loaded on a vehicle, in which a forced electric discharge device of any desired type is mounted on a location away from a body of an engine of any desired type and connected to said engine through connection means of a conductive material such as an electrical wire, so that electricity such as high voltage electricity and static electricity which is generated or accumulated during operation of the engine can be discharged outside.

According to a fourth additional aspect of the present invention, there is also provided an engine to be loaded on a vehicle, in which an electric discharge device, which is provided with a rotatable vane in accordance with necessity, is mounted on an engine or any desired type or on one of associated members thereof.

According to a fifth additional aspect of the present invention, there is also provided an engine to be loaded on a vehicle, in which an electric discharge device is mounted, either directly or through a conductive material, on a sparking plug which is mounted on an engine of any desired type, or in the vicinity of the sparking plug.

According to a sixth additional aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a fuel consumption efficiency enhancing apparatus, In which means for mounting the apparatus on an engine is provided on one end of the apparatus, and an electric discharge device is provided on the other end of the apparatus.

According to a seventh additional aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a fuel consumption efficiency enhancing apparatus, in which means for mounting the apparatus on an engine is provided on one end of the apparatus, an electric discharge device is provided on the other end of the apparatus, and a fixing or attaching member for fixing the electric discharge device to an optically selected location, such as a muffler or a roof of a vehicle body is provided on the n- ' 6 side of the electric discharge device.

According to an eighth aspect of the present Invention, there is also provided a fuel consumption efficiency enhancing apparatus, In which means for mounting the apparatus on an engine is provided on one end of the apparatus, and an electric discharge device having a rotary discharge needle is provided on the other end of the apparatus.

With the above-mentioned construction of the present invention, high voltage electricity, static electricity, etc., which are generated or accumulated in an engine of a vehicle of any desired type such as an automotive vehicle, are discharged into the atmosphere by an electric discharge device such as a discharge antenna which is provided on an engine portion or one of Its associated members. Accordingly, merely by employing a discharge antenna of a comparatively simple construction and without the need of a provision of an expensive electric discharge device, the fuel consumption efficiency of an engine can be enhanced. In the case where a discharge antenna of a comparatively simple construction is mounted directly on an engine portion of an automotive vehicle, or on a muffler portion of the vehicle through an electric lead leading to the engine portion, the fuel consumption is saved about 40 compared with the case where the discharge antenna of a simple construction is not mounted on the vehicle. Also, in the case where the discharge antenna of a simple construction is mounted 7 directly on a muf fler portion of an automotive vehicle, the fuel consumption is saved about 10-1. This technical effect is further enhanced when an automotive vehicle equipped of the discharge antenna of a simple construction runs under the condition of a strong wind of about 10 m/sec or more, or when an automotive vehicle is equipped with a forced discharge apparatus.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention and the manner of realizing them will become more apparent, and the invention itself will best be understood from a study of the following description and appended claims with reference to the attached drawings showing some preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is an explanatory view, partly cut-away, showing one example of the present invention; Fig. 2 is an explanatory view of an important portion of the present invention, in which an electric discharge device is mounted on a location away from an engine body; Fig. 3 is an explanatory view of a rotary antenna portion; Fig. 4 is a fuel consumption graph in which a solid line shows a fuel consumption when a generally horizontal U-shaped discharge antenna is mounted on a location away from an engine through an electrical wire leading to an under part of a plug of 8 the engine, and a broken line shows a fuel consumption when the discharge antenna is removed; Fig. 5 is a fuel consumption graph in which a solid line shows a fuel consumption when a discharge antenna is mounted on an engine body, and a broken line shows a fuel consumption when the discharge antenna is not mounted on the engine body; and Fig. 6 is a fuel consumption graph in which a solid line shows a fuel consumption when an electric discharge device is mounted on a muf fler portion as an associated member of an engine without an intermediate connection means of a conductive material, and a broken line shows a fuel consumption when the electric discharge device is removed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The preferred embodiment herein described and illustrated In the accompanying drawings is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise form disclosed and illustrated. It is chosen and described to explain the principles of the invention, its application and its practical use to enable those skilled in the art to utilize the invention.

Reference numeral 1 denotes a vehicle of any desired type, such as an automotive vehicle, a scooter or an autobicycle. In this preferred embodiment, the vehicle 1 is in the form of an automotive vehicle as shown in Fig. 1. Reference numeral 2 denotes an engine of any desired type, and reference numeral 3 9 denotes an electric discharge device of any desired type such as a discharge antenna, a discharge tube, or a pulse discharge device. The electric discharge device 3 is mounted on the engine 2 which Is mounted on the vehicle 1 so that electricity generated or accumulated In the engine 2 during operation of the engine 2 can be discharged and released Into the external atmosphere.

As shown in Fig. 2, the electric discharge device 3 to be mounted on the engine 2 which is loaded on the vehicle 1 may be mounted on a location away from a body of the engine 2, for example, on an optionally selected location 5 such as a muffler, a bumper, or the like, and connected to the engine 2 through a connection means 4 of a conductive material such as an electrical wire or a copper wire.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the electric discharge device 3 may employ an auxiliary apparatus comprising mounting means 11 provided on one end portion of the engine 2 and adapted to mount the electric discharge device 3, which is mounted on a location away from the body of the engine 2, for example, on the optionally selected location 5, on the engine 2 of the vehicle 1 through the connection means 4 of a conductive material such as an electrical wire, or a copper wire.

In order to more enhance the ef fect of electric discharge and to enhance the fuel consumption efficiency, it is preferable to employ a rotary antenna which is rotated like a windmill utilizing a wind force generated by a running substance such as an automotive vehicle. Alternatively, a discharge vane 7 may be forced to rotate by a rotary antenna 8 mounted on a motor 6 as shown in Fig. 3. - Besides the illustrated horizontal U-shaped antenna, the discharge antenna may be of any other type such as a multielement antenna, a discharge tube, or a pulse discharge apparatus (all not shown) which is selectively used taking economic efficiency, etc. into consideration.

In Fig. 1, as well as elsewhere, reference numeral 9 denotes an air cleaner; 9 1, a muffler; 10, a steering wheel; 11, a change lever; 12, a radiator; 13, a front wheel; 14, a rear wheel; and 15, the ground, respectively.

In an electric wiring system of a typical conventional automotive vehicle engine, (+) electric current of a battery and a motor flows from (+) electrodes through a light, a signal, an ignition coil, a starter motor plug, etc., and returns to (-) electrodes through a chassis, a body, etc. Although there is no problem for electrical equipments which are actuated with a voltage of 12 V to 24 V, it is supposed that there is a problem for a plug which is sparked with a voltage of 10, 000 V to 15, 000 V. For example, with respect to the structural function of the battery, a direct current voltage of 12 V to 24 V is considered as the best condition for charging the (+) (-) electrodes. Therefore, the (-) electrode of the present battery is Z 11 connected to the chassis, and the electric current of the voltage of (+) 10, 000 V to (+) 15, 000 V used In the spark plug is supposed to return to the (-) electrode of the battery. However, this thought process seems to be contradictory. Therefore, it is considered that the high voltage electric current does not return to the (-) electrode of the battery and is naturally discharged after passing through the chassis, the body, etc.

In order to make clear of these dubious points, the present inventor has carried out tests. As a result, it was found out that If the (-) electrode of the plug of the engine is connected to the discharge antenna, the (-) electrode becomes stronger compared with the conventional arrangement. It was known that the discharge antenna works effectively.

When the engine is being operated, the interior of the engine is operated with the cycle of Intake, compression, explosion and discharge. Especially, in the sparking plug at the time of explosion, a voltage of (+ ) 10, 000 V to 15, 000 V is supplied from the ignition coil, and this high voltage electric current flows a (-) body earth to cause an instantaneous spark. As a result, an explosion occurs. At that time, the electricity supplied is not totally consumed and partially remained In the body earth as a residual electricity. In the conventional arrangement, as the operating speed of the engine is increased, the residual electricity is Increased and the (-) 12 earth function is decreased. As a result, the sparking plug is decreased in sparking function and the horse power of the engine is lowered. According to the present invention, the residual electricity is discharged by the electric discharge device 3 connected to the engine and the earth function is increased. As a resultl it is considered that the sparking function of the sparking plug becomes favorable and output of the engine is increased.

As a result of the test running of an automotive vehicle according to the present invention, the sparking in the plug of the engine is intensified, the fuel consumption is decreased, and at the same time, the discharged gas is reduced. According to the test result, the gasoline consumption efficiency is increased about 30t to 50 compared with an engine which is not yet provided with the electric discharge device, although these figures will be slightly different depending on wind force, road surface condition, etc.

In a fuel consumption graph shown in Fig. 4, the solid line shows a fuel consumption when an electric discharge device formed of a generally horizontal U-shaped discharge antenna is mounted on a location away from a gasoline engine (same gasoline engine was used throughout the test running of the vehicle) through a copper wire leading to the gasoline engine, and a broken line shows a fuel consumption when the electric discharge device is removed but under the same conditions as in 13 the foregoing.

In a fuel consumption graph shown in Fig. 6, a solid line shows a fuel consumption when the electric discharge device 3 formed of a generally horizontal U-shaped discharge antenna is mounted on a muffler 91 as an associated member of the engine 2 without an intermediate connection means of a conductive material, and a broken line shows a fuel consumption when the electric discharge device is removed.

According to the present invention thus constructed, high voltage electricity, static electricity, etc., which are generated or accumulated in an engine of a vehicle of any desired type such as an automotive vehicle, are discharged into the atmosphere during the running of the, automotive vehicle. According to the test result, in the case where the electric discharge device is mounted directly on the engine portion of the automotive vehicle, or on a vehicle body portion such as the roof or the bumper through a connection means of a conductive material such as a copper wire leading to the engine portion, the fuel consumption was saved about 40% and in the case where the electric discharge device is mounted directly on the muffler portion of the automotive vehicle, the fuel consumption was saved about 10%. This technical ef fect for reducing the fuel consumption further leads to the contribution in decrease of environmental pollution such as air pollution and protection of natural resources.

14 Although the invention has been illustrated and described with respect to exemplary embodiment thereof, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and various other changes, omissions and additions may be made therein and thereto, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention should not be understood as limited to the specific embodiment set out above but to include all possible embodiments which can be embodied within a scope encompassed and equivalents thereof with respect to the feature set out in the appended claims.

1 i

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. A vehicle, in which an electric discharge device is

mounted on an engine to be loaded on a vehicle of any desired type such as an automotive vehicle, a scooter, or an autobicycle, so that electricity such as high voltage electricity and static electricity generated in said engine portion may be released and discharged outside.
2. A vehicle, in which an electric discharge device is mounted on an optionally selected location of a body of a vehicle of any desired type such as an automotive vehicle, a scooter, or an autobicycle and connected to an engine, which is to be loaded on said vehicle, through connection means of a conductive material such as an electrical wire.
3. A vehicle, in which an electric discharge device is mounted on a vehicle body or on one of associated members thereof having somewhat electrical conductivity with an engine which is to be loaded on a vehicle of any desired type such as an automotive vehicle, a scooter, or an autobicycle.
4. A vehicle, in which an electric discharge device provided with a forced electric discharge means such as a rotary vane is mounted on an engine which is to be loaded on a vehicle of any desired type such as an automotive vehicle, a scooter, or an autobicycle.
5. An engine to be loaded on a vehicle, in which an electric discharge device is mounted on an engine of any desired type or

16 on one of associated members thereof so that electricity such as high voltage electricity and static electricity generated in said engine portion can be released and discharged outside.
6. An engine to be loaded on a vehicle, in which an electric discharge device Is mounted on a location away from a body of an engine of any desired type and connected to said engine through connection means of a conductive material such as an electrical wire, so that electricity such as high voltage electricity and static electricity which is generated or accumulated during operation of said engine can be discharged outside.
7. An engine to be loaded on a vehicle, in which a forced electric discharge device is mounted on an engine of any desired type, so that electricity such as high voltage electricity and static electricity which is generated or accumulated during operation of said engine can be discharged outside.
8. An engine to be loaded on a vehicle, in which a forced electric discharge device of any desired type is mounted on a location away from a body of an engine of any desired type and connected to said engine through connection means of a conductive material such as an electrical wire, so that electricity such as high voltage electricity and static electricity which is generated or accumulated during operation of said engine can be discharged outside.
9. An engine to be loaded on a vehicle, in which an electric p i 17 discharge device, which is provided with a rotatable vane in accordance with necessity, is mounted on an engine or any desired type or on one of associated members thereof.
10. An engine to be loaded on a vehicle, in which an electric discharge device is mounted, either directly or through a conductive material, on a sparking plug which is mounted on an engine of any desired type, or in the vicinity of the sparking plug.
11. A fuel consumption efficiency enhancing apparatus, in which means for mounting the apparatus on an engine is provided on one end of said apparatus, and an electric discharge device is provided on the other end of said apparatus.
12. A fuel consumption efficiency enhancing apparatus, In which means for mounting the apparatus on an engine is provided on one end of said apparatus, an electric discharge device is provided on the other end of said apparatus, and a fixing or attaching member for fixing said electric discharge device to an optically selected location, such as a muffler or a roof of a vehicle body is provided on the side of said electric discharge device.
13. A fuel consumption efficiency enhancing apparatus, in which means for mounting said apparatus on an engine is provided on one end of said apparatus, and an electric discharge device having a rotary discharge needle is provided on the other end of said apparatus.