Title of Invention

"A DEVICE FOR MONITORING PERFORMANCE OF AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES"

Abstract

This invention relates to a device for monitoring performance of automotive vehicles characterized in that a plurality of sensor fitted with the components of the vehicle like wheel, brake paddle, fuel tank and speedometer for converting kinetic signals into corresponding electrical signals, these sensors are connected to a main computer unit provided for monitoring and analysing the performance of said components.

Full Text

FIELD OF INVENTION This invention relates to a device for monitoring and analysis of different automotive vehicle performance characteristics like wheel slip, speed, acceleration, fuel consumption, dynamic roll radius and RPM. PRIOR ART The performance of any automotive vehicles is judged by measuring a number of performance characteristics during its dynamic stage. These performance characteristics are wheel slip during break and acceleration, dynamic roll radius, maximum speed, fuel consumption, RPM measurement etc. and variety of transducers are employed to measure the above mentioned performance evaluation parameters. For example, during dynamic state of vehicle, some amount of wheel slip occurs between road wheels and road at their contact point during acceleration and constant speed run of the vehicle. Although, wheel slip is an undesirable phenomena for a vehicle, it can not be completing eliminated. Wheel slip measurement is an important dynamic characteristic of the dynamic performance of the vehicle. This quantity forms an important performance characteristic for design and performance evaluation of a vehicle. We need an extremely accurate and precise sensor for the measurement of wheel slip. Similarly, the other performance characteristics are also needed to be monitored and analysed in order to predict the performance of any automotive vehicle. There are some devices, known in art, which are capable of evaluating some of the performance characteristics of automotive vehicles mentioned above. Basically, these devices are microprocessor based and are stand alone systems. These devices employ dedicated embedded microprocessors for such measurements and measured parameters are displayed in the I CD display panel. The device can be configured for measurement of one such performance characteristic at a time. However these devices, known in the art, suffer from following disadvantages. One major disadvantage of the these known devices is that these devices utilise dedicated embedded processors with fixed performance parameters and thus lacking versatility in terms of upgradation of capabilities and performance of these devices. Yet another disadvantage of these known devices is that these devices suffer from limited memory of embedded processors and thus putting a limitation on amount of data which can be stored and analysed. Still another disadvantage of these known devices is that these devices can not monitor a variety of performance characteristic simultaneously. Yet another disadvantage of these known devices is that these devices can not process data from more than one wheel of the automotive vehicle. Still another disadvantage of the these known devices is that these devices can not show the values of all the measured parameters in real time. Yet another disadvantage of the these known devices is that these devices are not very accurate in evaluation of automotive vehicle performance characteristics. Still another disadvantage of these known devices is that these devices can not store a variety of performance characteristics which can be utilised in future as per need. Yet another disadvantage of these devices is that these devices can not relate to more than two sensors at a time for monitoring of performance characteristics. Still another disadvantage of these devices is that the performance of such devices is limited by the performance of microprocessors used therein. Still further disadvantage of these devices is that these devices can not compute and analyse the performance evaluation parameters in real time Yet another disadvantage of these devices is that these devices can not store calibration data for all the transducers being used in the device. OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION Primary object of the invention is to propose a device lor monitoring performance of automotive vehicles complete with a host computer, video monitor and printer device for processing of data for evaluation of performance characteristics of the automotive vehicle. Still another object of the invention is to propose a device for monitoring performance of automotive vehicles having a built in comprehensive computer programme resident in the memory of the host computer working as a user interface allowing the user to process input data in a predetermined manner. Yet another object of the invention is to propose a device for monitoring performance of automotive vehicles which can monitor a variety of performance characteristics of an automotive vehicle from plurality of wheels. Still another object of the invention is to propose a device for monitoring performance of automotive vehicles which can display a variety of automotive vehicle performance characteristics in real time. Yet another object of the invention is to propose a device for monitoring performance of automotive vehicles which can store different measured performance characteristics of the automotive vehicle in memory of host computer and display them when needed. Still another object of the invention is to propose a device for monitoring performance of automotive vehicles which is able to monitor, analyse and display a variety of performance characteristics for automotive vehicles at a very high speed. Yet another object of the invention is to propose a device for monitoring performance of automotive vehicles which can monitor, analyse and display all the critical performance characteristics in real time mode. Still further object of the invention is to propose a device for monitoring performance of automotive vehicles which is capable of simultaneous logging of ambient conditions like test track used, temperature, wind velocity and humidity. Still another object of the invention to propose a device for monitoring performance of automotive vehicles which can measure wheel slip during constant speed, acceleration as well as during the operation of the brake. Yet another object of the invention is to propose a device for monitoring performance of automotive vehicles which is capable of measuring the wheel slip from plurality of wheels for a higher level of accuracy. Still another object of the invention is to propose a device for monitoring performance of automotive vehicles which is also capable of monitoring maximum speed, of the vehicle. Still further object of the invention is to propose a device for monitoring performance of automotive vehicles which is capable of performing speedometer calibration and odometer calibration. Yet another object of the invention is to propose a device for monitoring performance of automotive vehicles which can measure fuel consumption. Still further object of the invention is to propose a device for monitoring performance of automotive vehicles which is capable of measuring dynamic rolling radius of the vehicle. Yet another object of the invention is to propose a device for monitoring performance of automotive vehicles in which the host computer can be upgraded in terms of processing speed as well as memory thus offering flexibility. Yet further object of this invention is to propose a device for monitoring performance of automotive vehicles which is versatile, flexible and easy to operate. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to this invention there is provided a device for monitaring performance of automotive vehicles comprising a plurality of sensor adapted to be fitted with the components of the vehicle like wheel, output of the engine, brake paddle, fuel tank and speedometer for converting kinetic signals into corresponding electrical signals, these sensors are being connected to a main computer unit provided for monitoring and analysing the performance of said components. The present invention provides a device for automotive vehicles fully integrated with a host notebook computer and a video monitor with capability to monitor, analyse and display a variety of vehicle performance characteristic at a high speed in real time with great accuracy. The device has the capability to monitor a variety of performance characteristics of an automotive vehicle like wheel slip during constant speed, wheel slip during acceleration, wheel slip during brake, speed, distance, fuel consumption and dynamic rolling radius on plurality of wheels with higher degree of accuracy. It has also the capability for logging prevailing ambient conditions viz test track used, temperature, wind velocity and humidify. It can also analyse the performance characteristics on the video screen and report the results in the form of a print out. The device comprise of variety of transducers for measuring performance characteristics, data acquisition system and interface for notebook computer. The custom built computer programme resident in the host computer" acts as a interface between the user and the complete system. The host computer processes the complete data in predetermined manner and displays the various automotive vehicle performance characteristics on the computer monitor in real time mode. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A device for monitoring and analysing of automotive vehicle performance according to a preferred embodiment is herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to fig.l the main unit 1 of the device receives electrical input signals from distance sensor 2 mounted on the rear of the vehicle, fuel sensor 3 mounted on the fuel line running between fuel tank and engine, foot brake force sensor 4 mounted on brake paddle, four identical wheel revolution sensors 5,6,7 and 8 mounted on all four wheels and RPM senior 9 mounted on the engine of the automotive vehicle. The device is driven by 12 volt DC power pack 11 and it can be switched on either manually or automatically by optical switch assembly 10. The distance sensor assembly 2 comprises of road pulse transducer for measuring the distance traveled by the vehicle. This is of non contact type optical sensor. The wheel revolution sensor assembly 5 comprises of wheel revolution transducer for the measurement of wheel speed of the automotive vehicle. It utilises an optical encoder of 1000 pulses per revolution. Foot brake force sensor assembly 4 measurps the braking force applied on the foot brake. It comprises of foot break transducer to measure applied foot brake pressure. The fuel sensor assembly 3 is utilised for measurement of fuel efficiency of the automotive vehicle. Optical switch assembly 10 is used to switch on and switch off the device through external reflecting source. The sensor is mounted on the vehicle so as to gel operated from the reflecting surface placed on the test track.. The reflecting surface is created by pasting the reflecting strip on the metallic vertical stands. Automatic optical switching is required for distance calibration purpose. All the above mentioned transducers basically convert kinetic signals into electrical signals which in turn are fed into data acquisition system (16). Referring to Fig.(2), the main unit of the device basically comprises of data acquisition system (16), note book computer (12) and three auxiliary display devices (13), (14) and (15). These auxiliary display devices are used to display the vehicle parameters like speed, brake pressure and wheel slip etc. for the driver and other observers. The data acquisition system (16). provides interface between notebook computer (12) and various sensors being utilised to monitor performance characteristics of the automotive vehicle. The data acquisition system (16) receives electrical signals from distance sensor (2) , four identical wheel revolution sensors (5), (6). (7) & (8), RPM sensor assembly (9), fuel sensor (3) and foot brake force sensor (4) , The data acquisition system (16) converts the electrical input signals coming form various sensors into digitised signals depending upon the input signals. Referring to Fig. (3), the counters (17), (18), (19) & (20) converts input electrical signals into binary digital values. These digital values are led to data control and decoder (31) through system data bus on receipt of acquisition control signal by the counters. The synchronised acquisition control signals are provided by the data control and decoder (31) through system data bus. These counter (17), (18), (19) & (20) are interlaced with wheel revolution sensors (5), (6), (7) & (8) respectively for conversion of input electrical signals into revolutions made by the wheels, Each of these four wheel revolution sensors are mounted on four wheels of the vchicle. Counter (17) is also interfaced with the RPM sensor (9), and fuel sensor (3) for RPM and fuel consumption monitoring. Counter (21) is interfaced with distance sensor (2) for converting input electrical signals into digital values for distance traveled by the vehicle. Counter timer (22) is dedicated for measurement of time. It receives the clock pulses from clock (23) which is designed from 1 MHz crystal clock.. The digital input device (24) receives status input signals from brake sensor (4) and status decoder (25) which in turn receives input signal Iron optical switch (10). These status input signals are communicated to the data and control decoder (31) by the digital input device (24). Analog to digital converter (26) converts the analog input signals received from brake pressure sensor (4). Audio alarm (28) provides audio indications to indicate the processing status of the device. It receives signal from data and control decoder (31) through system bus. The digital output device (28) provides interlace for alpha numeric display device (13). It receives input from data and control decoder (31) and sends output signal to alpha numeric display (13). The digital to analog converters (29) & (30) are identical and are interfaced with digital panel displays (14) & (15). These converters receive input digital signals from data and control decoder (31) and converts it into analog signals for panel displays (14) & (15). The data and control decoder (3 1) is the heart of the data acquisition system. It provides the interface between notebook computer using its printer port and different electronic blocks of the data acquisition system. The custom built computer programme, resident in the host computer acts as a interface between the user and the complete system.. The host computer processes the complete data in predetermined manner and displays the various automotive vehicle performance characteristics on the computer monitor in real time mode. The software provides a menu driven user interface for selecting one of the fourteen evaluation modes provided in the system depending upon the performance characteristic to be evaluated. Once a mode is selected, the software automatically selects the required sensors with its calibration factor. It also provides relevant configuration options as per the selected performance evaluation mode. The software provides options for conducting the evaluation, saves results, validates the results as per the configuration and prints the analysed reports. The software also maintains the integrity of different evaluation results for different type of vehicles and store them on the disk. The embodiment of the invention which has been set forth above was for the purpose of illustration and it is not intended to limit the scope ol the invention. It is to be understood that various changes and modifications may be made in the invention described above by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the INVENTION which has been defined by the following claims: 1 CLAIM; 1. A device for monitoring performance of automotive vehicles comprising a plurality of sensor adapted to be fitted with the components of the vehicle like wheel, output of the engine, brake paddle, fuel tank and speedometer for converting kinetic signals into corresponding electrical signals, these sensors are being connected to a main computer unit provided for monitoring and analysing the performance of said components, 2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said computer unit comprises mainly a data acquisition system interconnected with the note book of the computer, digital panels being provided to show the performance of the different components of the vehicle. 3. A device as claimed in claims 1 and 2 wherein said data acquisition system comprises a plurality of counters connected with the input of the system bus such that to provide the signals of the different components to the system bus. Digital input device and analog to digital converter is connected to the input of said system bus, audio alarm, digital output device and a pair of digital to analog converters connected to the output of said system bus and data and control decoder is inter — connected with said system bus such that to receive the signals and to feed the same to the main computer provided for processing the signals in order to monitor and analyse the performance of the vehicle. 4. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein a clock is connected to one of said counters provided for time signals. 5. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the brake force sensor is connected to said digital input device. Similarly, the optical start stop switch sensor is connected to said digital input device through a status decoder. 6. A device for monitoring performance of automotive vehicles substantially as herein described and illustrated.

Documents:

1325-del-1999-abstract.pdf

1325-del-1999-claims.pdf

1325-del-1999-correspondence-others.pdf

1325-del-1999-correspondence-po.pdf

1325-del-1999-description (complete).pdf

1325-del-1999-drawings.pdf

1325-del-1999-form-1.pdf

1325-del-1999-form-19.pdf

1325-del-1999-form-2.pdf

1325-del-1999-form-26.pdf

1325-del-1999-form-3.pdf

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