JPH11351942A - Car with environment monitor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a driver to recognize a specific consumption rate of energy for the selection of optimum running condition by calculating and displaying a specific consumption rate of energy during travel. SOLUTION: With a diesel-engine car, for example a supply fuel flow meter 1 is provided between a fuel tank 11 and a jetting pump 14, through a fuel pump 12 and a filter 13. At a fuel consumption-amount calculator 4, a value obtained by subtracting a return amount of a return fuel flow meter 2 from the feeding amount of the supply fuel flow meter 1 is calculated as a fuel amount which is actually consumed, then averaged, assumed as a consumed energy amount Q. Then at an energy specific-consumption rate calculator 6, a travel distance S traveled by the car during a specified time period T is calculated from the indicated value of a range finder 23, and the travel distance S is divided by a consumed energy amount Q to calculate a travel distance Y per a unit energy amount. A value obtained by multiplying the calculation result Y or its inverse number 1/Y with 1 or a factor of other than 1, is displayed on an energy specific-consumption rate indicator 7.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automobile having an environmental monitor capable of displaying the energy consumption rate of the automobile while traveling.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional vehicle using a liquid fuel, the fuel consumption can be known only from a decrease in the level meter of the fuel tank. It is affected by the attitude and speed of the car, and the horizontal cross-sectional area of the fuel tank is also different depending on the height from the bottom of the tank, so the level decrease and the fuel decrease are not necessarily proportional,
The fuel consumption in a short time cannot be accurately detected. In the case of vehicles using liquefied gas, the fuel consumption is measured from the decrease in the weight of the fuel cylinder.However, it is difficult to detect a slight decrease in the weight of the cylinder while driving, and in this case, too, Cannot detect the fuel consumption at Further, in an electric vehicle using electricity as an energy source, although the current value is indicated, there is no display of the energy consumption rate in a short time during traveling. The running distance is converted from a pulse signal indicating the number of rotations of the tire and is indicated on a distance meter. As an index indicating the energy consumption rate of a vehicle, in the case of a vehicle using liquid fuel or liquefied gas fuel, a) the distance that can be run with a unit amount of fuel b) the amount of fuel required to travel a unit distance Amount c) The distance that can be transported with a unit weight of fuel using a unit amount of fuel, and in the case of an automobile that uses electricity, d) The distance that can be run with a unit of electric energy e) The distance required to travel the unit distance The amount of power F) is indicated by the distance, etc., at which a unit weight of luggage can be transported with the amount of power of a unit amount. Energy consumption rate. Further, in the present invention, the fuel consumption of a vehicle using liquid fuel or liquefied gas fuel and the power consumption of a vehicle using electric power are collectively referred to as energy consumption.

[0003]

In the context of global warming, it is important to pay attention to the energy consumption rate even while driving a car. However, current automobiles are not provided with a device for displaying the energy consumption rate during running. In the past, the energy consumption rate was the result of traveling over long distances, and the short-term energy consumption rate fluctuated and was meaningless because there was no idea to display it accurately. Things. Therefore, the driver cannot recognize numerically how low the energy efficiency is during low-speed driving or sudden start, and which shift level is best for energy efficiency during stable driving or the like. Cannot be recognized numerically. The present invention enables a driver to recognize an energy consumption rate even while traveling, and to display an index that allows an optimal traveling condition to be selected.

[0004]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, it is necessary to accurately detect the energy consumption at a specified relatively short time interval (T) during traveling.
In the case of a vehicle using a liquid fuel or a liquefied gas fuel, the energy consumption during traveling is indicated by the amount of fuel consumed in a specified time interval (T). As a method for accurately measuring this, a flow meter is directly attached to a pipe for supplying fuel to the engine, and an average value (Q) of the flow rate in the time interval (T) is obtained. If the fuel pump has a system in which part of the fuel discharged from the fuel pump is not consumed and returned to the fuel tank through a through feed or the like, the average value (Q) of the value obtained by subtracting the return amount is the fuel consumed by the engine. And the amount of As a flow meter attached to the fuel supply pipe or the return pipe, an ultrasonic flow meter, an electromagnetic flow meter, a positive displacement flow meter, a differential pressure flow meter, or the like can be used. Also, instead of attaching a flow meter, the rotation speed of the fuel pump or the like can be used instead. In the case of an automobile that uses electricity, the energy consumption during running is indicated by the amount of power consumed during a specified time interval (T). In order to measure this accurately, an ammeter, a voltmeter, or a wattmeter is attached to the power supply system from the battery to the motor, and the average value (W) of the power consumption in the time interval (T) is set.

Next, the distance traveled at the specified time interval (T) is measured based on a signal from a pulse generator or a generator attached to a tire, an axle or a propeller shaft according to a conventional method, or based on the signal. The value calculated from the signal of the distance meter or the speedometer is used as the traveling distance (S).

The energy consumption rate during traveling is a value (Y) obtained by dividing the energy consumption (Q) or (W) by a coefficient other than 1 or 1 by the traveling distance (S) or its reciprocal. The result is shown by multiplying (1 / Y) by a coefficient other than 1 or 1. (Y) indicates the distance traveled for the unit energy consumption, and the reciprocal (1 / Y) indicates the energy consumption for the unit traveling distance. This (Y) or (1 / Y) is multiplied by 1 or a conversion coefficient other than 1 and displayed as an energy consumption rate.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a case of an automobile using a diesel engine as an example using liquid fuel. In the case of a diesel engine, the supply fuel flow meter 1 is attached to a pipe from the fuel tank 11 to the injection pump 14 via the fuel pump 12 and the filter 13. The indicated value of the supplied fuel flow meter 1 is the amount of fuel delivered. In the case of a diesel engine, part of the fuel sent to the engine is supplied through feed 20 and fuel injection pipe 21.
Is returned to the fuel tank 11 as return fuel, the return fuel flow meter 2 is also attached to this return pipe to measure the return amount of fuel. Next, in the fuel consumption calculator 4, the value obtained by subtracting the return amount, which is the indication value of the return fuel flow meter 2, from the delivery amount, which is the indication value of the supplied fuel flow meter 1, is taken as the amount of fuel actually consumed. calculate. Since the amount of fuel actually consumed fluctuates greatly during traveling, a value obtained by averaging this during a specified time interval (T) is calculated, and the result obtained by multiplying this by a conversion coefficient other than 1 or 1 is calculated as the time interval. The amount of energy consumed (T) is (Q). Next, in the energy consumption rate calculator 6, the distance (S) traveled by the vehicle at the specified time interval (T) is calculated by the increment of the indicated value of the distance meter 23 of the vehicle at the specified time interval (T). Is multiplied by a coefficient other than 1 or 1, and this travel distance (S) is divided by the consumed energy amount (Q) to calculate a travel distance per unit energy amount (Y). Calculation result (Y)
Alternatively, a value obtained by multiplying the reciprocal (1 / Y) by a coefficient other than 1 or 1 is displayed on the energy consumption rate indicator 7. In the case of a gasoline injection type gasoline engine (not shown), the fuel piping system is the same as that of the diesel engine.

FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
In the case of the diesel engine shown in the first embodiment, a tachometer 3 is attached to a fuel pump instead of attaching a flow meter to the fuel supply piping system. The amount of fuel actually consumed is a value calculated by multiplying the indicated value of the tachometer 3 of the fuel pump by a conversion coefficient of flow rate / rotational speed, and is a fuel delivery amount. Next, the return fuel flow meter 2 is attached, and the indicated value is the return amount. Next, the fuel consumption calculator 4 calculates a value obtained by subtracting the return amount from the fuel delivery amount as the amount of fuel actually consumed. The amount of fuel actually consumed fluctuates greatly during traveling. Therefore, a value obtained by averaging the values at a specified time interval (T) is calculated, and 1 or 1 is added to the result.
The energy amount (Q) consumed in the time interval (T) by multiplying by a conversion coefficient other than the above. Next, in the energy consumption rate calculator 6, the travel distance (S) is calculated by multiplying the indicated value of the wheel rotation pulse generator 24 attached to the vehicle wheel by the distance / pulse number conversion coefficient. Mileage (S)
Is multiplied by a coefficient other than 1 or a value obtained by dividing the value by the consumed energy amount (Q) to calculate a traveling distance (Y) per unit energy amount. Calculation result (Y) or its reciprocal (1 /
The result of multiplying Y) by 1 or a coefficient other than 1 is displayed on the energy consumption rate indicator 7. In the case of a gasoline injection type gasoline engine (not shown), the fuel piping system is the same as that of the diesel engine.

FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
Shows an example of an automobile using a carburetor-type gasoline engine as an example of using a liquid fuel. In the case of a carburetor-type gasoline engine, the fuel pump 11
Then, the supply fuel flow meter 1 is attached to a pipe extending to the vaporizer 16 via the filter 13. Since the indicated value of the supplied fuel flow meter 1 fluctuates greatly during traveling, a value obtained by averaging the indicated value at the time interval (T) designated by the fuel consumption calculator 4 is calculated, and 1 or a value other than 1 is calculated. The result of multiplication by the conversion coefficient is defined as the amount of energy (Q) consumed in the time interval (T). Next, the distance (S) traveled at the specified time interval (T) is obtained from the indicated value of the speedometer 25 attached to the automobile, and the indicated value of the speedometer 25 fluctuates greatly during traveling. Therefore, the average speed calculator 8 multiplies the value obtained by averaging the indicated values at the specified time interval (T) by the time interval (T) to obtain the travel distance (S). Next, the energy consumption rate calculator 6 multiplies the value obtained by dividing the travel distance (S) by the consumed energy amount (Q) by a coefficient other than 1 or 1 to calculate the travel distance per unit energy amount ( Y) is calculated. The result of multiplying the calculation result (Y) or its reciprocal (1 / Y) by a coefficient other than 1 or 1 is displayed on the energy consumption rate indicator 7. In general, in the case of gasoline engines, there is no fuel pump or return pipe from the carburetor, so the fuel consumption can be measured only with the supplied fuel flow meter 1. However, when a constant volume pump is used as the fuel pump In some cases, a fuel return pipe is required, in which case, as shown in the first embodiment, a flow meter is also attached to the return pipe, and the flow rate of the flow meter is subtracted from the indicated value of the flow meter. Further, when the fuel pump is of a fixed volume type, a fuel pump tachometer (not shown in FIG. 3) is attached in place of the supply fuel flow meter 1, and a value obtained by multiplying the indicated value by a conversion coefficient is used. Can be. Although not shown, even in the case of an automobile using liquefied gas, there is no return fuel pipe.Therefore, by attaching a supply fuel flow meter to the fuel supply pipe from the fuel cylinder to the engine, the carburetor gasoline engine can be used. The case is the same flow.

FIG. 4 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
Shows an example of an automobile using electricity as an energy source. In the case of an automobile using electric energy, an ammeter 8 and a voltmeter 9 are attached to a power supply system from the battery 18 or a power meter (not shown) is attached. Next, in the power consumption calculator 10, the indicated value of the ammeter 8 is added to the voltmeter 9.
Is multiplied by the indicated value to obtain the power consumption (W). Since this power consumption (W) fluctuates greatly during traveling, an average value of the power consumption (W) is calculated at a time interval (T), and a value other than 1 or 1 The result of multiplying by the coefficient is defined as the energy consumption (Q). Next, the traveling distance (S) calculated by the energy consumption rate calculator 6 in the same manner as that described in the first to third embodiments is divided by the energy consumption (Q) to obtain a unit energy amount. It is assumed to be the traveling distance per hit (Y). The result of multiplying the calculation result (Y) or its reciprocal (1 / Y) by a coefficient other than 1 or 1 is displayed on the energy consumption rate indicator 7.

Although not shown in the figure, in the case of a hybrid car that uses both liquid fuel or liquefied gas fuel and electricity as an energy source, the energy consumption of the liquid fuel portion at the specified time interval (T) is equal to the aforementioned energy consumption. It is determined by the method shown in the first to third embodiments. The energy consumption of the portion using electric energy at the specified time interval (T) is obtained by the method described in the fourth embodiment. The sum of the two is the energy consumption (Q) during traveling. Next, the vehicle travel distance (S) is obtained by the method described in the first to fourth embodiments. The result of dividing the travel distance (S) by the consumed energy amount (Q) is the travel distance per unit energy amount (Y). The result of multiplying the calculation result (Y) or its reciprocal (1 / Y) by a coefficient other than 1 or 1 is displayed on the energy consumption rate indicator 7.

Examples of the flow meter used in the first to third embodiments include an area type flow meter, a positive displacement type flow meter, a differential pressure type flow meter, an ultrasonic flow meter, an electromagnetic flow meter and the like, and an integrating flow meter therefor. Can be used. Also, instead of attaching a flow meter, the rotation speed of the fuel pump can be used instead. Therefore, in the present invention, the method of measuring the flow rate of the fuel, including the type of the flow meter, is not limited. Similarly, for the method of measuring the distance (S) traveled at the time interval (T), a signal from the wheel rotation pulse transmitter is used, or the signal is converted to a distance meter or a speedometer. It is also possible to use a signal from a tachometer or a generator attached to an axle or a propeller shaft. Therefore, the method of measuring the traveling distance is not limited.

In the first to fourth embodiments, the designated time interval (T) is determined by using a factor that may greatly vary during traveling, such as a fuel flow rate and / or a power consumption amount. The average value of the calculated energy consumption is used to average the fluctuation range that can be recognized by the driver. It is desirable to take one minute or more. It is desirable to be able to set from. When calculating the average value of the time interval (T), it is desirable to take the average value or the integral average from the present time to the time (T) before, and further take the moving average to obtain a smoother value. It can be displayed.
Furthermore, if an integrating type is used for the fuel flow meter and the power meter, the increase in the time interval (T) becomes the average value of the consumption, and it goes without saying that the subsequent calculation is simplified.

In the first to fourth embodiments, the fuel consumption calculator 4, the average speed calculator 5, the energy consumption rate calculator 6, the energy consumption rate indicator 7, and the power consumption calculator 10 are individually provided. However, this can be combined in any combination or as a whole, the order of the operations can be changed, and the operation part of the mileage can be separated as a mileage calculator. The present invention does not limit the method of integrating and subdividing the arithmetic units and the order of the arithmetic operations. Further, a microcomputer can be used for all the operations.

In the first to fourth embodiments, "1 or a coefficient other than 1" to be multiplied by various calculation results means that a unit system of each signal required for calculation is made uniform and that a unit system desired by the driver is used. This is a coefficient multiplied to enable display. In particular, it is desirable that the coefficient multiplied by the driver to be displayed in the desired unit system can be selected by the driver from outside.

[0016]

As described above, according to the present invention, the driver of an automobile can know the energy consumption rate during traveling and can obtain an index for selecting more economical traveling. Become like By shortening the idling time as much as possible, stopping sudden starting and sudden acceleration, and stopping running with the engine running more than necessary, driving efficiency can be improved, contributing to global environmental protection. Furthermore, since the fuel consumption in a short time can be grasped as an auxiliary effect, the fuel consumption per operation can be easily grasped even in a case where the vehicle is frequently used for a short time. If the unit price of fuel is adopted as a coefficient by which the energy consumption (Q) is multiplied, it becomes easy to calculate the fuel cost required for one run.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a system diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a system diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a system diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 supplied fuel flow meter 2 return fuel flow meter 3 tachometer 4 fuel consumption calculator 5 average speed calculator 6 energy consumption rate calculator 7 energy consumption rate indicator 8 ammeter 9 voltmeter 10 power consumption calculator 11 fuel tank Reference Signs List 12 fuel pump 13 filter 14 injection pump 15 engine 16 carburetor 17 air cleaner 18 battery 19 motor 20 through feed 21 fuel injection pipe 22 nozzle holder 23 distance meter 24 wheel rotation pulse generator 25 speedometer

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An automobile using liquid fuel or liquefied gas fuel and / or electric power as an energy source. In an automobile using liquid fuel and liquefied gas fuel, energy consumption for measuring fuel consumption during running is measured. Means for measuring the amount of power consumed during running in an electric vehicle, and running in a hybrid car using both liquid fuel or liquefied gas fuel and electricity. Energy consumption measurement means of both means for measuring fuel consumption in the inside and means for measuring power consumption, mileage measurement means for measuring the mileage, and a signal from the energy consumption measurement means A self-contained environmental monitor having an operation means for calculating an energy consumption rate from a signal from the traveling distance measurement means and a display means for displaying a signal from the operation means; Moving car.