Motor vehicles – Power
Patent
1983-04-08
1985-12-24
Bertsch, Richard A.
Motor vehicles
Power
180 648, 180 143, B60K 2300, B60K 508
Patent
active
045600210
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to a control system for a plurality of engine units provided on a vehicle.
In particular the present invention relates to a control system for a plurality of engine units provided on a vehicle for cooperatively using the engine units under preferable conditions in accordance with driving conditions of the vehicle.
BACKGROUND ART
Generally, an automotive vehicle is driven by a single internal combustion engine such as a gasoline engine or a diesel engine, and the cylinder volume of the internal combustion engine is constant during operation. Since low specific fuel consumption of the internal combustion engine is limited within a small range which is decided by engine torque and engine speed, and since the engine for automotive vehicles is operated under wide driving conditions, the fuel consumption becomes unsatisfactory. In order to eliminate such a disadvantage, there is provided an internal combustion engine comprising a plurality of engine units, which are used in accordance with driving conditions of the vehicle for effectively generating power, whereby the fuel consumption may be improved. For example, Japanese patent publication No. 42-26050 discloses an internal combustion engine, in which a pair of engine units are disposed in parallel and the power of both units is transmitted to an output shaft. Each engine unit is controlled in accordance with load on the engine. However, in such a system it is difficult to use the engine units so as to improve fuel consumption in all conditions of the engine operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to provide a control system of a plurality of engine units, having a plurality of sensors for detecting conditions of a vehicle, and having selecting means for manually selecting respective combinations of detected signals from the sensors, and having control means operating in response to the selected combinations of signals to control throttle valves of the engine units and a clutch to use the plurality of engine units.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a phantom perspective view of an automobile provided with an engine according to the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the engine;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control system for the engine; and
FIGS. 4 and 5 are graphs showing fuel consumption characteristics of the engine.
BEST MODE OF THE INVENTION AND DETAILED DESCRIPTION THEREOF
FIG. 1 shows a front-mounted engine, front wheel drive type automobile 1 having front wheels 2, rear wheels 3 and an internal combustion engine 5 mounted therein. The internal combustion engine 5 comprises a primary engine unit 6 and an auxiliary engine unit 7, which have carburetors 8 and 9, respectively. A common air cleaner 10 is provided and communicates with the carburetors 8 and 9. A transmission case 11 having a clutch and gear trains is provided on the output side of both engine units 6 and 7. The output of a transmission is transmitted to both front wheels 2 through universal joints 12. A shift lever 13 is provided on the transmission case 11 for gear shift operation. A steering wheel 14 is provided on the right upper portion of the shift lever 13. A common accelerator pedal 15, a brake pedal 16, and a clutch pedal 17 are disposed on the floor of the automobile.
Referring to FIG. 2, the primary engine unit 6 and auxiliary engine unit 7 each comprises an independent two-cylinder engine having an independent ignition system. A crankshaft 21 of the primary engine unit 6 is driven by operation of a pair of pistons 25 through connecting rods 23 and a crankshaft 22 of the auxiliary engine unit 7 is driven through connecting rods 24 by operation of a pair of pistons 26. A gear 27 is securely mounted on the crankshaft 21. The crankshaft 22 is connected to a shaft 29 through an electromagnetic powder clutch 28. A gear 30 secured to the shaft 29 engages with an output gear 31 which engages with the gear 27. An output shaft 32 of the output gear 31 is secured to a flywh
REFERENCES:
patent: 2416640 (1947-02-01), Pinardi et al.
patent: 2522068 (1950-09-01), Stallard
patent: 3690395 (1972-09-01), Spiller et al.
patent: 4004648 (1977-01-01), Joseph et al.
Bertsch Richard A.
Farber Martin A.
Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
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