KR101061777B1 - Fuel supply control device and control method for gasoline and LP combined vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a fuel supply control device and a control method for a gasoline and LPG combined vehicle that controls fuel supply according to the climbing capability, and includes an inclination sensor for detecting the inclination of the vehicle, a vehicle speed sensor for detecting the driving speed, and an LPG fuel If it is determined that the vehicle is driving uphill in response to a signal of the inclination sensor, the controller is configured to stop supplying the LPG fuel and supply gasoline fuel, and to supply the gasoline fuel. It includes a residual amount detection sensor for detecting the remaining amount of gasoline fuel, and a gasoline warning light that is turned on when the detected residual amount is less than a predetermined threshold amount, the control unit to continuously supply the LPG fuel when the gasoline warning light is lit. Provide a configuration to control.

By using the fuel supply control device and the control method of the gasoline and LPG combined vehicle as described above, when the vehicle is running uphill when the reference speed or less can be supplied to the engine instead of LPG fuel to improve the climbing ability.

LPG, gasoline, fuel, slope, speed

Description

Fuel supply control device and control method for gasoline and LP combined vehicles {DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AUTOMOBILE USING BOTH GASOLINE AND LPG}

The present invention relates to a fuel supply control device and a control method for a gasoline and LPG combined vehicle, and more particularly to control the fuel supply according to the climbing capacity (hereinafter referred to as the climbing capacity) which is the ability of the vehicle to climb the slope. The present invention relates to a fuel supply control device and a control method for a gasoline and LPG combined vehicle.

In general, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) fuel used in vehicles has high octane value, excellent heat resistance, and low fuel cost, and is therefore used in some passenger cars and vans. Will also be applied.

The LPG fuel is a liquid phase, and when it is vaporized, it is easily mixed with air, so that flammability is less, so knocking is less likely to occur than gasoline and diesel. In addition, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of phenomena such as vapor lock and percolation, and thus the application range is gradually increasing as an alternative fuel of gasoline or diesel.

Therefore, gasoline and LPG combined vehicles (hereinafter, abbreviated as 'combined vehicles') are solenoids that control the supply of vaporizers, mixers, mixers, LPG fuel tanks, and LPG fuels that require the use of the LPG fuel. LPG Engine Controller Unit (ECG) for controlling the valve, the solenoid valve should be provided essentially.

In a conventional combined vehicle, starting is performed by gasoline fuel and when the predetermined condition is satisfied after starting the gasoline, for example, when a certain time has elapsed after starting, and the engine coolant temperature reaches a certain temperature or more, It is equipped to automatically switch from gasoline to LPG, and the technology for the engine supply control device for a gasoline and LPG combined vehicle is well shown in Korean Patent Application No. 1999-025086.

However, the fuel supply control apparatus of the conventional gasoline and LPG combined vehicle as described above has the following problems.

When the combined vehicle uses the LPG as a fuel when driving uphill, the driving force is lowered as compared with the case where the gasoline is used as the fuel, thereby causing a problem that the clutch capacity criteria are not satisfied.

In order to solve such a problem, it is necessary to increase the engine performance or the gear ratio of the clutch or reduce the weight of the vehicle. However, in the case of a low-cost vehicle, if the gear ratio that satisfies the clutch capacity is applied under the condition of maximizing the fuel efficiency, the deterioration rate of the fuel economy becomes excessive, such a method cannot be applied.

Therefore, the conventional fuel supply control device for a gasoline and LPG combined vehicle has a problem in that customer satisfaction is lowered due to a decrease in driving power and fuel economy compared to a gasoline vehicle when driving uphill.

The present invention is to solve the problems described above, an object of the present invention is to provide a fuel supply control device and control method for a gasoline and LPG combined vehicle to selectively control the fuel used according to the climbing capacity of the gasoline and LPG combined vehicle To provide.

According to a feature of the present invention for achieving the above object, the present invention provides a fuel supply control apparatus for a gasoline and LPG combined vehicle comprising a gasoline fuel system and LPG fuel system for supplying gasoline fuel and LPG fuel to the engine Inclination detection means for detecting the inclination of the road on which the vehicle travels; Speed detecting means for detecting a driving speed of the vehicle; And control means coupled to the inclination sensing means and the speed sensing means and controlling to supply gasoline fuel or LPG fuel to the engine.

The control means, if it is determined that the vehicle is traveling uphill or above a predetermined inclination at a predetermined speed or less as a result of the detection of the inclination sensing means and the speed sensing means while driving the fuel from the LPG fuel gauge to the engine, The operation of the LPG fuel system is stopped and controlled to supply gasoline fuel to the engine from the gasoline fuel system.

The present invention further includes a switch module for selecting the gasoline fuel gauge and the LPG fuel gauge, wherein the inclination sensing means is formed in the switch module to output an on signal when the vehicle is driving uphill and an off signal at a flat place. It is characterized in that the inclination sensor.

The inclination sensor is formed in an approximately capsule shape, and on one side thereof, a pair of electrodes are spaced apart by a predetermined interval so as to extend from the inside to the outside in parallel with the upper and lower portions, respectively, in a horizontally installed state therein. It is characterized in that only about half of the electrolyte is filled so that the pair of electrodes do not conduct.

The inclination detecting means is a weight sensor which is respectively installed in front and rear of the gasoline or LPG fuel container to detect the weight according to the flow of the gasoline or LPG fuel, the control unit whether the uphill in accordance with the signal level output from the weight sensor Characterized by judging.

According to another feature of the invention, the present invention provides a gasoline and LPG inclination detecting step of detecting the inclination of the road to drive the vehicle in the state selected to supply LPG fuel to the combined vehicle; A speed sensing step of sensing a driving speed of the vehicle; And stopping the supply of the LPG fuel and controlling the gasoline fuel to be supplied to an engine when the inclination and the speed detection result indicate that the road is an uphill or more than a predetermined inclination and the driving speed of the vehicle is less than or equal to the preset speed. do.

The present invention further includes the step of sensing the remaining amount of the gasoline, wherein the control step, if the detected residual amount is less than a predetermined threshold residual amount, the gasoline fuel is blocked from being supplied to the engine, and the LPG fuel is continued It characterized in that the control to supply.

The inclination detection step is characterized in that for detecting the inclination according to the horizontal state of the electrolyte provided in the inclination sensor.

The inclination detection step is characterized in that for detecting the inclination according to the signal level of the weight sensor for detecting the weight in the front and rear of the gasoline or LPG fuel container.

The present invention may further include controlling to stop the supply of the gasoline fuel and to supply the LPG fuel when the uphill road ends.

As described above, the present invention is controlled to selectively use gasoline and LPG according to the climbing capacity of the gasoline and LPG combined vehicle, if it is detected that driving uphill while using the LPG fuel, switch to gasoline fuel to The driving performance of the vehicle can be improved by improving the driving force.

Therefore, since the present invention selectively uses the fuel according to the climbing ability, there is an effect of improving the fuel efficiency of the vehicle to improve the customer satisfaction compared to the case of using only LPG fuel on the uphill.

Hereinafter, a fuel supply control apparatus and a control method for a combined gasoline and LPG vehicle according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a fuel supply control apparatus for a gasoline and LPG combined vehicle according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, Figures 2a to 2b is an exemplary view showing the configuration of the inclination sensor shown in FIG. It is.

First, referring to FIG. 1, a fuel supply control device 10 of a combined gasoline and LPG vehicle according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a switch module, a gasoline system, an LPG fuel gauge, a gasoline fuel gauge, and a controller.

The switch module 11 receives any one of the LPG fuel gauge 17 and the gasoline fuel gauge 19 from the user and transmits a corresponding signal to the controller 22.

The switch module 11 is provided with an inclination sensor 12 for detecting the inclination of the vehicle. The inclination sensor 12 generates an on signal when the vehicle travels uphill, when the uphill is more than a predetermined inclination. A detailed configuration of the inclination sensor 12 will be described later with reference to FIGS. 2A to 2B.

The gasoline system includes a residual amount sensor 14 for detecting a residual amount of gasoline stored in an unillustrated gasoline fuel container, and a gasoline warning light for displaying a residual amount detected from the residual amount sensor 14 when the residual amount is less than a preset threshold residual amount. 15) and a vehicle speed sensor 16 for detecting a driving speed of the vehicle.

The LPG fuel gauge 17 and the gasoline fuel gauge 19 respectively supply LPG fuel and gasoline fuel to the engine under control of the controller based on a signal selected through the switch module 11.

The LPG fuel system 17 includes a solenoid valve 18 to block the supply of LPG fuel. In addition, the gasoline fuel system 19 is provided with a gasoline pump 20 for supplying the gasoline fuel, and an injector 21 for injecting gasoline fuel supplied from the gasoline pump 20 into the cylinder of the engine. .

The controller 22 selectively controls fuel supplied to the engine. That is, when the controller 22 travels uphill in the state selected to supply LPG fuel through the switch module 13, the controller 22 according to the detection signals of the inclination sensor 12 and the vehicle speed sensor 16. The supply of the LPG fuel is stopped, and the gasoline fuel is controlled to be supplied. However, the control unit 22 blocks the gasoline fuel from being supplied when the gasoline warning light 15 is turned on. The controller 22 may be provided as an LPG ECU (Electronic Control Unit) for selectively controlling the LPG fuel gauge 17 and the gasoline fuel gauge 19 and a vehicle ECU for controlling the entire vehicle.

Next, the configuration of the inclination sensor will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2A to 2B.

The external shape of the inclination sensor 12 is formed in a substantially capsule shape. One side of the inclination sensor 12 is provided with a pair of electrodes (T1, T2) are spaced apart by a predetermined interval to extend from the inside to the outside in parallel to the upper and lower, respectively. In addition, in the state in which the inclination sensor 12 is installed horizontally, only about half of the electrolyte solution E is filled so that the pair of electrodes T1 and T2 do not conduct. The inclination sensor 12 may be formed in the switch module 13.

When the vehicle is located on a flat surface, as shown in FIG. 2A, the electrolyte E and the pair of electrodes T1 and T2 remain parallel to each other, and thus the pair of electrodes T1 and T2. ) Maintains an off state that is not electrically connected.

However, when the vehicle is driving uphill as shown in FIG. 2B, the inclination sensor 12 is also inclined at the same angle as the vehicle is inclined according to the inclination of the uphill. Therefore, since the electrolyte E inside the inclination sensor 12 maintains a horizontal state, the pair of electrodes T1 and T2 are electrically connected to each other by the electrolyte E in a horizontal state. (on) Outputs the signal.

Hereinafter, a method of controlling fuel supply of a gasoline and LPG combined vehicle according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 to 4. 3 to 4 are flowcharts illustrating a fuel supply control method of a combined gasoline and LPG vehicle according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

First, referring to FIG. 3, a method of controlling fuel supply of a gasoline and LPG combined vehicle when driving uphill after starting an engine using LPG fuel will be described in detail.

Referring to FIG. 3, when an ignition key (not shown) is operated by a user and a start command is input (S10), the controller 22 checks whether the switch module 13 is selected as a position for supplying LPG fuel. (S11).

When the switch module 13 is the gasoline fuel supply position, the control unit 22 controls the gasoline pump 20 and the injector 21 to supply and drive the gasoline fuel to the engine (S12).

In addition, when the switch module 13 is the LPG fuel supply position, the controller 22 opens the solenoid valve 18 of the LPG fuel system 17 to control the LPG fuel to be supplied to and driven by the engine. (S13).

As described above, the controller 22 detects the inclination of the vehicle traveling on the road by using the inclination sensor 12 while driving the engine using the LPG fuel (S14).

That is, as a result of the inclination detection, a signal in which a pair of electrodes T1 and T2 provided inside the inclination sensor 12 are electrically connected by the electrolyte E as the vehicle travels uphill of a predetermined inclination or more. If is output (S15), the control unit 22 checks the traveling speed of the vehicle using the vehicle speed sensor 16 (S16).

As a result of the traveling speed inspection, if the traveling speed detected from the vehicle speed sensor 16 is less than or equal to a predetermined speed V1, for example, 10 km / h, the controller 22 checks whether the gasoline warning light 15 is on. (S17). In detail, the remaining amount sensor 14 outputs a detection signal for detecting the remaining amount of gasoline fuel stored in the fuel container of the gasoline fuel meter 19, and if the level of the detection signal is less than a predetermined threshold remaining amount, The gasoline warning light 15 lights up.

Accordingly, if the gasoline warning light 15 is lower than the predetermined speed V1 and the gasoline warning light 15 is unlit while driving with LPG fuel, the controller 22 controls the solenoid valve 18 of the LPG fuel gauge 17. ) Is controlled to stop supplying the LPG fuel to the engine (S18). The control unit 22 controls the gasoline pump 20 and the injector 21 to supply gasoline fuel to the engine through the gasoline fuel meter 19. Accordingly, the combined use of the gasoline and LPG vehicles is driven uphill using gasoline fuel having a greater driving force than the LPG fuel, and thus the climbing ability of the vehicle is improved, and the fuel economy is improved as compared with the case of using the LPG fuel.

The controller 22 checks whether the uphill road ends by using the inclination sensor 12 (S19). If the uphill road continues and the inclination sensor 12 continues to output the on signal, the controller 22 repeats the steps S18 to S19.

On the other hand, when the uphill road ends and the pair of electrodes T1 and T2 provided inside the inclination sensor 12 is released from the electrical connection, the controller 22 supplies the gasoline fuel from the gasoline fuel gauge 19. Then, the solenoid valve 18 of the LPG fuel system 17 is opened to control the LPG fuel to be supplied to the engine (S21).

Next, when starting uphill with reference to Figure 4, the fuel supply control method for a gasoline and LPG combined vehicle will be described in detail.

Referring to FIG. 4, when the ignition key is operated by a user and a start command is input (S30), the controller 22 checks the inclination of the vehicle using the inclination sensor 12 (S31). That is, when the vehicle is driven again while the vehicle is parked on an uphill road, the gradient sensor 12 receives a signal from which the pair of electrodes T1 and T2 are electrically connected by the electrolyte E according to the inclination of the uphill road. Output

Then, the controller 22 determines to be uphill according to the on signal of the inclination sensor 12 (S32). Subsequently, the gasoline fuel is pumped from the gasoline fuel gauge 19 while the solenoid valve 18 of the LPG fuel gauge 17 is closed to block the supply of the LPG fuel to the engine regardless of the state of the switch module 13. The gasoline pump 20 and the injector 21 are controlled to be supplied and driven (S33).

The controller 22 checks whether the uphill road has ended according to whether the inclination sensor 12 is on (S34), and the traveling speed of the vehicle is greater than or equal to the predetermined speed V1 using the vehicle speed sensor 11. The authorization is checked (S35).

When the uphill road ends or the traveling speed exceeds the predetermined speed V1, the controller 22 stops supply of gasoline fuel to the engine from the gasoline fuel gauge 19, and the solenoid of the LPG fuel gauge 17. The valve 18 is opened and controlled to supply and drive LPG fuel (S36).

On the other hand, when the vehicle is parked on a flat or downhill road, the controller 22 supplies the gasoline pump 20 and the injector 21 to drive the LPG fuel or the gasoline fuel according to the selected position of the switch module 16. ) Is controlled (S37).

According to the present invention, when a combined gasoline and LPG vehicle to drive uphill by supplying LPG fuel, there is an advantage that can improve the climbing capacity of the vehicle by changing to a gasoline fuel having a large driving force.

The scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but is defined by the claims, and various changes and modifications can be made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the claims. It is self evident.

In the above embodiment, the inclination sensor 12 is used to detect the inclination of the road, but the inclination detection means may be variously changed. For example, by installing a weight sensor to detect the weight of the gasoline or LPG fuel container, respectively, to detect the slope of the road by using the output signal level of each weight sensor that is changed according to the flow of liquid gasoline or LPG fuel. It may be.

For example, FIGS. 5A and 5B are perspective views illustrating a state in which a weight sensor is installed in a fuel container of a fuel supply control apparatus of a gasoline and LPG combined vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5A, the weight sensors 32 are respectively installed at the front and rear sides of the lower portion of the fuel container 30. Since the fuel 31 in the liquid state stored in the fuel container 30 flows according to the inclination of the road, as shown in FIG. 5B, the weight sensor 32 senses the weight change of the fuel 31. The signal level is changed and output according to the detected weight. Accordingly, the controller 22 determines the inclination of the road according to the signal level output from the weight sensor 32, and controls the supply of gasoline fuel to stop supplying the LPG fuel when it is determined that the vehicle is traveling uphill by a predetermined inclination or more. It may be changed to do.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a fuel supply control apparatus for a gasoline and LPG combined vehicle according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

2A-2B are exemplary views of the inclination sensor shown in FIG. 1.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a step-by-step method of controlling fuel supply of a combined gasoline and LPG vehicle according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

4 is an operation state diagram illustrating the operation of the inclination sensor to explain the fuel supply control method of the gasoline and LPG combined vehicle shown in FIG.

5a and 5b is an exemplary view of a fuel container installed with a weight sensor in the fuel supply control device of a combined gasoline and LPG vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention.

`` Explanation of symbols for main parts of drawings ''

10: Fuel Supply Control Unit 11: Switch Module

12: tilt sensor 13: gasoline system

14: remaining amount sensor 15: gasoline warning light

16: Vehicle speed sensor 17: LPG fuel gauge

18: solenoid valve 19: gasoline fuel gauge

20: gasoline pump 21: injector

22: control unit 30: fuel container

31: fuel 32: weight sensor

T1, T2: electrode E: electrolyte solution

Claims (10)

In the fuel supply control device for a gasoline and LPG combined vehicle including a gasoline fuel system and LPG fuel system for supplying gasoline fuel and LPG fuel to the engine, Inclination sensing means for sensing inclination of a road on which the vehicle travels; Speed detecting means for detecting a driving speed of the vehicle; And And a control means coupled to the inclination sensing means and the speed sensing means and controlling to supply gasoline fuel or LPG fuel to the engine. The method of claim 1, wherein the control means, The LPG fuel gauge operates when the vehicle detects the inclination detecting means and the speed detecting means while driving the fuel from the LPG fuel gauge to the engine. Stopping and controlling to supply gasoline fuel to the engine from the gasoline fuel gauge fuel supply control device for a combined gasoline and LPG vehicle. 3. The method of claim 2, Further comprising a switch module for selecting the gasoline fuel gauge and LPG fuel gauge, The inclination detecting means, And a tilt sensor formed on the switch module to output an on signal when the vehicle is driving uphill and an off signal on a flat surface. The method of claim 3, wherein the inclination sensor, The outer shape is formed in the shape of a capsule, a pair of electrodes are spaced apart by a predetermined interval on one side is installed so as to extend from the inside to the outside parallel to the upper and lower, respectively, and the pair of electrodes in the state horizontally installed Fuel supply control device for a combined gasoline and LPG vehicle, characterized in that only about half of the electrolyte is filled. The method of claim 1, wherein the inclination detection means, It is a weight sensor which is respectively installed in front and rear of the gasoline or LPG fuel container to detect the weight according to the flow of the gasoline or LPG fuel, The control means is a fuel supply control device for a gasoline and LPG combined vehicle, characterized in that for determining whether the uphill according to the signal level output from the weight sensor. An inclination detection step of detecting inclination of a road on which the vehicle will travel in a state in which LPG fuel is selected to be supplied to an engine of a gasoline and LPG combined vehicle; A speed sensing step of sensing a driving speed of the vehicle; And A control step of stopping the supply of the LPG fuel and controlling the gasoline fuel to be supplied to an engine if the road is an uphill or more than a predetermined slope as a result of the detection of the inclination and the speed; Fuel supply control method for a gasoline and LPG combined vehicle, characterized in that the. The method of claim 6, Detecting the remaining amount of gasoline; The control step, when the detected residual amount is less than the predetermined threshold residual amount, the gasoline fuel is blocked from being supplied to the engine, the fuel of the combined gasoline and LPG vehicle, characterized in that the control to continuously supply the fuel Supply control method. The method of claim 6, wherein the tilt detection step, A fuel supply control method for a gasoline and LPG combined vehicle characterized in that for detecting the inclination in accordance with the horizontal state of the electrolyte provided in the inclination sensor. The method of claim 6, wherein the tilt detection step, Fuel supply control method for a gasoline and LPG combined vehicle characterized in that for detecting the inclination according to the signal level of the weight sensor for detecting the weight in the front and rear of the gasoline or LPG fuel container. The method of claim 6, And after the control step, controlling the supply of the LPG fuel to stop supplying the gasoline fuel and to supply the LPG fuel when the uphill road ends.

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