JP2004345514A - Vehicle equipped with fuel separation device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicle equipped with a sub-fuel tank to reserve fuel separated by a fuel separation device in addition to a raw fuel tank, which does not cause a sense of incongruity to a driver and not to cause a problem about the administration of the vehicle. <P>SOLUTION: The raw fuel fed to the raw fuel tank 3 is separated by the fuel separation device 4 and reserved in the first sub-fuel tank 5 and the second sub-fuel tank 7. A total residual amount VRT totalling a residual amount of each of the tanks is indicated on a fuel residual amount meter 21, but a fuel residual amount meter indicates the fulling-up of the tank when the total fuel residual amount VRT exceeds the capacity VO of the raw fuel tank 3. Additionally, oil feeding to the raw fuel tank is prohibited when the total fuel residual amount VRT exceeds the capacity VO of the raw fuel tank. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a vehicle provided with a fuel separation device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Equipped with a fuel separator, the raw fuel supplied to the raw fuel tank is separated into a high octane fuel and a low octane fuel by the fuel separator, and the high octane fuel and the low octane fuel are supplied to the engine according to the operating conditions. Such vehicles are known. For example, there is one disclosed in Patent Document 1. Such a vehicle includes a sub-tank for storing high-octane-number fuel separated by the fuel separation device and a sub-tank for storing low-octane-number fuel, in addition to the above-described raw material fuel tank.
[0003]
In such a vehicle, the maximum stored fuel amount = the raw material fuel tank capacity + the sub-tank capacity for the high octane number fuel + the sub tank capacity for the low octane number fuel. Therefore, when the sub-tank for the high octane number fuel and / or the sub-tank for the low octane number fuel has a free space, even if the raw fuel tank is refilled to the full capacity, the maximum stored fuel amount will not be reached.
[0004]
In such a case, if the fuel gauge indicates that the raw fuel tank, the sub-tank for the high octane number fuel, and the sub-tank for the low octane number fuel are all full, the fuel gauge indicates the full state. Since the sub-tank for the high octane fuel and / or the sub-tank for the low octane fuel have free space, the full tank is not displayed. Therefore, the driver tries to refuel further according to this display, but can only refuel the raw fuel tank, and since the raw fuel tank is already full, no more fuel can be supplied. . Thus, if there is a difference between the actual refuelable amount and the display of the remaining fuel amount, the driver will feel uncomfortable.
[0005]
In order to prevent this, it is conceivable to display only the remaining amount of the raw fuel tank on the fuel gauge. However, in this case, although the fuel is actually left in the sub-tank for the high-octane fuel or the sub-tank for the low-octane fuel and the vehicle can be driven, the raw material fuel tank is reduced to nearly zero and becomes unnecessary. Refueling may occur, which is not preferable for vehicle management.
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-05070 A
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and in a vehicle having a sub fuel tank that stores fuel separated by a fuel separation device in addition to a raw material fuel tank, a driver may feel uncomfortable or may have a problem in vehicle management. The purpose is not to let them.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, a fuel separation device is provided, and the raw material fuel supplied to the raw material fuel tank is separated into a plurality of types of fuel by the fuel separation device, and the separated plurality of types of fuel are respectively separated into sub fuel In a vehicle that is stored in the car and then supplied to the engine,
The fuel remaining amount display device displays the total remaining fuel amount which is the sum of the remaining amount of the raw fuel tank and the remaining amount of each sub fuel tank. When the tank capacity is exceeded, a full display is displayed,
A vehicle is provided in which when the total remaining fuel amount exceeds the capacity of the raw material fuel tank, refueling to the raw material fuel tank is prohibited.
[0009]
In the vehicle configured as described above, the raw fuel supplied to the raw fuel tank is separated into a plurality of types of fuel by the fuel separator, and the separated plurality of types of fuel are stored in the sub fuel tanks, respectively. Supplied to the institution. The fuel remaining amount display device displays the total fuel remaining amount which is the sum of the remaining amount of the raw fuel tank and the remaining amount of each sub-fuel tank. Displayed. Further, since the refueling of the raw material fuel tank is prohibited, the display of the fuel remaining amount display device and the possibility of refueling coincide with each other, so that it is possible to prevent the driver from feeling uncomfortable or causing problems in vehicle management.
[0010]
According to the invention of claim 2, in the invention of claim 1, even when the ignition switch is turned off, the display of the total fuel remaining amount on the fuel remaining amount display device and the display of the total fuel remaining amount A vehicle is provided in which refueling of the raw material fuel tank is prohibited when the capacity of the tank is exceeded.
In the vehicle configured as described above, the total fuel remaining amount is displayed on the fuel remaining amount display device even if the ignition switch is turned off at the time of refueling, and the total fuel remaining amount exceeds the capacity of the raw material fuel tank during refueling. In such a case, refueling of the raw material fuel tank is prohibited.
[0011]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a schematic configuration of a first embodiment. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes a vehicle, and reference numeral 3 denotes a raw fuel tank for storing gasoline as a raw fuel to be supplied. It is. Normal (commercially available) gasoline is supplied and stored in the raw material fuel tank 3. The gasoline stored in the raw fuel tank 3 is referred to as raw gasoline to distinguish it from the gasoline separated by the fuel separator 4.
[0012]
The raw gasoline in the raw fuel tank 3 is supplied to the fuel separator 4 by the pump 31, where it is separated into a low octane gasoline having a lower octane number than the raw gasoline and a high octane gasoline having a higher octane number than the raw gasoline. And a second sub-fuel tank 7 for high-octane gasoline.
In the present embodiment, the fuel separator 4, the raw fuel tank 3, the first sub fuel tank 5, and the second sub fuel tank 7 are mounted on the vehicle 100 together with the engine 10.
[0013]
The fuel separation device 4 is provided with, for example, a separation membrane having a good permeability for aromatic components, feed gasoline along the separation membrane, and increase the amount of aromatic components permeating the separation membrane on one side of the separation membrane. It produces gasoline containing gasoline and produces gasoline with reduced aromatic components on the other side of the separation membrane. As is well known, the octane number (RON) of gasoline increases as the amount of aromatic components in gasoline increases, and conversely, the octane number of gasoline decreases as the amount of aromatic components decreases. Therefore, gasoline that has passed through the separation membrane becomes high-octane gasoline, and gasoline collected without passing through the separation membrane becomes low-octane gasoline.
[0014]
Since low-octane gasoline has very good ignitability, when used at the time of engine start, at the time of cold operation, or at the time of low-medium-load operation, it is possible to obtain improved engine performance and improved exhaust characteristics. On the other hand, high-octane gasoline does not easily ignite, and therefore does not easily knock.
[0015]
In order to take advantage of such characteristics, in the embodiment of the present invention, the engine 10 has a first injection valve 11 and a port (not shown) capable of directly injecting fuel into each cylinder (not shown). A second injection valve 12 capable of injecting fuel is provided. Low octane gasoline is injected from the first injection valve 11 at the time of engine start, cold operation, low and medium load operation, and high octane gasoline is injected from the second injection valve 12 at high load operation. As a result, combustion at the time of engine start, at the time of cold operation, and at the time of low-medium load operation is stabilized, and knocking does not occur at the time of high load.
[0016]
The control of the fuel injection is performed by an electronic control unit (ECU) 20. The low-octane gasoline in the first sub-fuel tank 5 and the high-octane gasoline in the second sub-fuel tank 7 are fed from the tank by the feed pumps 51 and 71, respectively. It is pumped toward the valve 12. The low-octane gasoline is further pressurized by the high-pressure fuel injection pump 53 before being sent to the first injection valve 11.
[0017]
Hereinafter, the display of the remaining fuel amount characteristic of the present invention will be described.
First, the raw fuel tank 3, the first sub fuel tank 5, and the second sub fuel tank 7 are provided with a raw fuel tank remaining amount sensor 32, a first sub tank remaining amount sensor 52, and a second sub tank remaining amount sensor 72, respectively. The signal of the gasoline remaining amount of each tank measured by these fuel gauges is sent to an electronic control unit (ECU) 20.
[0018]
The ECU 20 calculates a raw gasoline remaining amount value VR0 detected by the raw fuel tank remaining amount sensor 32, a low octane number gasoline remaining value VR1 detected by the first sub tank remaining amount sensor 52, and a low octane number fuel detected by the second sub tank remaining amount sensor 72. The remaining value VR2 is read. These are summed to calculate a total fuel remaining amount VRT = VR0 + VR1 + VR2, which is displayed on a fuel remaining amount gauge 21 on an instrument panel (not shown) of the vehicle. At this time, if the total fuel remaining amount VRT is larger than the capacity V0 of the raw material fuel tank 3, the fuel remaining amount meter displays a full state.
[0019]
On the other hand, an oil supply pipe 3a is attached to the raw material fuel tank 3, and an openable / closable oil supply plug 3b is provided at an upper end of the oil supply pipe 3a. The fuel supply door (fuel lid) 101 provided on the side surface of the vehicle 100 is opened, and the fuel supply plug 3b is opened to supply the fuel. An oil supply shutoff valve 3c is provided in the oil supply pipe 3a slightly below the oil supply plug 3b, and a shaft of an actuator 3d composed of a motor, a solenoid or the like is connected to the oil supply cutoff valve 3c. FIG. 2 is a perspective view three-dimensionally showing details of the raw material fuel tank 3 and the fuel supply pipe 3a described above.
[0020]
When the total fuel remaining amount VRT becomes larger than the raw material fuel tank capacity V0, that is, when the full fuel tank is displayed, the actuator 3d is driven by the ECU 20, the fuel supply shutoff valve 3c is closed, and the raw fuel tank 3 You will not be able to refuel.
[0021]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the above control. In step 1, the raw gasoline remaining value VR0, the low octane number gasoline remaining value VR1, and the high octane number gasoline remaining value VR2 are read. In step 2, the total fuel remaining amount VRT is calculated by adding the raw gasoline remaining value VR0, the low octane number gasoline remaining value VR1, and the high octane number gasoline remaining value VR2. Then, in step 3, it is determined whether or not the total remaining fuel amount VRT is larger than the capacity V0 of the raw fuel tank 3.
[0022]
If an affirmative determination is made in step 3, the operation proceeds to step 4, in which the display value DRT of the fuel remaining meter 21 is displayed as "full", and the operation proceeds to step 5, in which the actuator 3d is driven to set the refueling shut-off valve 3c. After closing, go to step 8 and end.
On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step 3, the process proceeds to step 6, where the display value DRT of the fuel remaining meter 21 is set to VRT (= VR0 + VR1 + VR2), and further proceeds to step 7 to drive the actuator 3d to shut off refueling. After opening the valve 3c, the process proceeds to step 8 and ends.
[0023]
Here, it is assumed that VRT exceeds V0 during refueling. However, refueling is performed with the engine 10 stopped, and at that time, the ignition switch is turned off. Normally, when the ignition switch is turned off, all the devices are stopped. Therefore, in the ordinary circuit configuration, the above calculation and the control of the actuator 3d are not performed. Therefore, in this embodiment, although not described in detail, the display of the fuel remaining meter 21 and the operation of the refueling cutoff valve 3c are performed even when the ignition switch is OFF.
Alternatively, even when the ignition switch is turned off once by stopping the engine, the ECU 20 and the actuator 3d may be connected to a power supply by opening the fuel supply door 101 to perform the above calculation and control of the motor 3d.
[0024]
In this embodiment, when it is determined that the total remaining fuel amount VRT is larger than the capacity V0 of the raw material fuel tank 3, the fuel supply shutoff valve 3c is closed during traveling, but only during stoppage. You may close it.
[0025]
【The invention's effect】
According to the invention described in each claim, the fuel remaining amount display device displays the total fuel remaining amount which is the sum of the remaining amount of the raw fuel tank and the remaining amount of each sub fuel tank. When the total remaining fuel amount exceeds the capacity of the raw material fuel tank, the full fuel tank is displayed, and refueling to the raw material fuel tank is prohibited. As a result, the display of the fuel remaining amount display device and the possibility of refueling coincide with each other, so that it is possible to prevent the driver from feeling uncomfortable or causing a problem in vehicle management.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a schematic configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing details of a raw material fuel tank.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart of control according to the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
Reference numeral 3: raw material fuel tank 3a ... refueling pipe 3b ... refueling plug 3c ... refueling cutoff valve 3d ... actuator 4 ... fuel separation device 5 ... first sub fuel tank 7 ... second sub fuel tank 20 ... ECU
Reference numeral 21: Fuel remaining amount gauge 32 ... Raw material fuel tank remaining amount sensor 52 ... First sub fuel tank remaining amount sensor 72 ... Second sub fuel tank remaining amount sensor 100 ... Vehicle 101 ... Refueling door

Claims (2)

Equipped with a fuel separator, the raw fuel supplied to the raw fuel tank is separated into multiple types of fuel by the fuel separator, and the separated multiple types of fuel are stored in sub fuel tanks and then supplied to the engine. In the vehicle,
The fuel remaining amount display device displays the total remaining fuel amount which is the sum of the remaining amount of the raw fuel tank and the remaining amount of each sub fuel tank. When the tank capacity is exceeded, a full display is displayed,
A vehicle characterized in that when the total remaining fuel amount exceeds the capacity of the raw material fuel tank, refueling of the raw material fuel tank is prohibited. Even when the ignition switch is turned off, the display of the total fuel remaining amount on the fuel remaining amount display device and the prohibition of refueling to the raw fuel tank when the total fuel remaining amount exceeds the capacity of the raw fuel tank. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle is operated.

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