1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to automobiles, and particularly to a method and device for saving automobile energy.
2. Description of Related Art
There are lots of traffic in big cities, drivers of the automobiles often obtain stuck in a traffic jam or have to stop their automobiles and wait for a red light for a very long time. However, during the waiting, drivers commonly do not turn off the engine. Thus, wasting energy, such as gasoline, and discharging pollutants into the environment.
Therefore an improved method and device for saving automobile energy are needed to address the aforementioned deficiency and inadequacies.
An energy saving method for an automobile is provided herein. The energy saving method includes: judging whether the automobile is stopped; starting a timer to measure and signal an end of a predetermined time interval by outputting an interrupt signal; and turning off an engine of the automobile in response to the interrupt signal. A related energy saving device is also provided.
Other advantages and novel features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Reference will now be made to the drawings to describe a preferred embodiment of the present energy saving method and device for an automobile.
Referring to
The motion detector 10 is configured for detecting and obtaining motion information of the automobile. In the preferred embodiment, the motion information is a speed of the automobile. The timer 30 is configured for measuring and signaling an end of the predetermined time interval by outputting an interrupt signal. The input unit 12 is configured for generating control signals according to input operations. The input unit 12 may be a remote controller, or a keyboard, or a control panel with plurality of buttons disposed in the automobile. In the preferred embodiment, the input unit 12 can generate a setting signal in response to an input operation. The controller 50 is configured for turning on and turning off the engine 60 under control of the processing unit 20. The engine 60 acts as the power unit of the automobile. In the preferred embodiment, the engine 60 is an internal combustion engine that obtains its power by burning a liquid fuel inside an engine cylinder, and generates mechanical energy to drive the automobile.
The processing unit 20 is configured for controlling the controller 50 to turn off the engine when the processing unit 20 computes that the automobile has stopped for at least (equal or more than) the predetermined time interval. In detail, the processing unit 20 receives the speed, and judges whether the speed equals to 0. If the speed equals to 0, that is, the automobile stops, the processing unit 20 generates a trigger signal to start the timer 30, and outputs an off signal to the controller 50 to turn off the engine 60 in response to the interrupt signal. During the predetermined time interval, whenever the speed does not equal to 0, the processing unit 20 outputs a clear signal to reset the timer 30, thus the timer 30 stops timing the predetermined time interval until receiving another trigger signal. The processing unit 20 can further allow the time interval to be adjusted according to the setting signal received from the input unit 12.
Referring to
In step S202, the motion detector 10 measures the speed of the automobile, and outputs the speed to the processing unit 20.
In step S204, the processing unit 20 judges whether the speed is equal to 0, that is, judging whether the automobile is stopped. If the speed is equal to 0, the process proceeds to step S206, or else, loops back to step S202.
In step S206, the processing unit 20 generates the trigger signal to start the timer 30. As a result, the timer 30 starts timing.
In step S208, if a time interval the timer 30 times reaches to the predetermined time interval, the timer 30 outputs the interrupt signal to the processing unit 20. Or else, the processing unit 20 outputs a clear signal to reset the timer 30 whenever the speed does not equal to 0 during the predetermined time interval.
In step S210, the processing unit 20 generates an off signal in response to the interrupt signal, and outputs the off signal to the controller 50. The controller 50 turns off the engine 60.
Referring to
The generator 70 is configured for transforming mechanical energy of the engine 60 into electric energy, and charging/recharging the battery 80. The battery 80 is configured for supplying electric power to other instruments, such as the lighting units, the player, etc. in the automobile. The electricity meter 40 is configured for measuring and displaying a voltage of the battery 80. The balance instrument 90 is configured for measuring an absolute angle of a body or a chassis of the automobile with respect to horizon.
In the preferred embodiment, as so many devices need receiving electric energy from the battery 80, that a sufficient electric energy stored in the battery 80 should be insured. Thus, if the processing unit 20 computes that there is not enough electric energy stored in the battery 80 to maintain the electric operations, that is the voltage of the battery 80 is lower than a predetermined voltage, the processing unit 20 will not output the off signal to turn off the engine 60 when the automobile has stopped for the predetermined time interval. Further, if the processing unit 20 computes that the automobile is stopped on a slope, that is, the absolute angle of the automobile is larger than a predetermined angle, the processing unit 20 will not output the off signal to turn off the engine 60 when the automobile has stopped for the predetermined time interval.
In the other embodiments, the processing unit 20 judges whether the automobile is on the slope, and/or whether the electric energy stored in the battery 80 is sufficient first. If the automobile is not on a slope, and/or the electric energy stored in the battery 80 is sufficient, the processing unit 20 then judges whether the automobile is stopped.
Referring to
In step S302, the motion detector 10 measures the speed of the automobile, and outputs the speed to the processing unit 20.
In step S304, the processing unit 20 judges whether the speed is equal to 0, that is, judging whether the automobile is stopped. If the speed is equal to 0, the process loops back to step S302, or else, proceeds to step S306.
In step S306, the processing unit 20 generates a trigger signal to start the timer 30. As a result, the timer 30 starts timing.
In step S308, if a time the timer 30 times reaches to the predetermined time interval, the timer 30 outputs an interrupt signal to the processing unit 20. Or else, the processing unit 20 outputs a clear signal to reset the timer 30 whenever the speed does not equal to 0 during the predetermined time interval.
In step S310, the processing unit 20 judges whether the voltage of the battery 80 is larger than the predetermined voltage. If the voltage of the battery 80 is larger than the predetermined voltage, the process proceeds to step S312, or else, proceeds to step S316.
In step S312, the processing unit 20 judges whether the automobile is stopped on a slope, that is, the absolute angle of the automobile is larger than the predetermined angle. If the automobile is indeed stopped on a slope, the process loops back to step S302, or else, proceeds to step S314.
In step S314, the processing unit 20 outputs the off signal to the controller 50. The controller 50 turns off the engine 60.
In step S316, the generator 70 transforms mechanical energy of the engine 60 into electric energy, and recharges the battery 80. The process loops back to step S302.
In the above-described preferred embodiments, when the energy saving device 300 computes that the automobile has been stopped (not on a slope) for the predetermined time interval (3 minutes for example), and the battery 80 has enough electric energy, the energy saving device 300 will turns off the engine 60, thus saving energy for the automobile and decreasing a total discharge of motor vehicle exhaust.
It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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200710202798.8 | Nov 2007 | CN | national |