Dual-tank fuel switching device, vehicle, and control method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dual-tank fuel switching device, a vehicle, and a control method, comprising: a main fuel tank, the main fuel tank being provided with a first fuel level sensor, a fuel switching valve being mounted on the first fuel level sensor, the fuel switching valve being connected to an engine fuel inlet pipe and an engine fuel return pipe, and the fuel switching valve being further provided with an external electrical interface for connecting to a vehicle bus; and a secondary fuel tank being provided with a second fuel level sensor, the secondary fuel tank fuel inlet pipe and the secondary fuel tank fuel return pipe being connected between the second fuel level sensor and the fuel switching valve, and a fuel level connection line being further electrically connected between the second fuel level sensor and the fuel switching valve. Because the fuel switching valve is mounted on the first fuel level sensor, no fuel pipe is required to connect the fuel switching valve to the main fuel tank, thereby reducing the number of fuel pipes and interfaces, thereby lowering costs and reducing fuel leak points. Furthermore, the dual-tank fuel switching device has a simpler structure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of vehicle industry, and in particular to a dual-tank fuel switching device, a vehicle and a control method. Background Art

[0002] Currently, heavy trucks that need to transport long distances are generally designed with two fuel tanks to make full use of the space of the entire vehicle. In order to carry as much fuel as possible, the vehicle can run as long as possible without refueling. For this purpose, a fuel switching device is set between the two tanks. When the fuel in one tank is used up, the fuel can be transferred to the other tank to continue supplying fuel.

[0003] In the related technology, the fuel switching device currently on the market is set on the fuel pipeline of this dual fuel tank, which is equivalent to interrupting the inlet and return oil pipelines in the middle. There are 6 fuel interfaces on the switching valve, which increases the number of oil pipelines, increases costs, and also increases fuel leakage points.

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to design a new dual-tank fuel switching device, vehicle and control method to overcome the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The embodiments of the present invention provide a dual-tank fuel switching device, a vehicle, and a control method to solve the problem in the related art that the fuel switching devices currently on the market increase the number of fuel pipes, the cost, and the number of fuel leakage points.

[0006] In a first aspect, a dual-tank fuel switching device is provided, which includes: a main fuel tank, wherein the main fuel tank is provided with a first fuel level sensor, and a fuel switching valve is installed on the first fuel level sensor, the fuel switching valve is connected to an engine fuel inlet pipe and an engine fuel return pipe, and the fuel switching valve is also provided with an external electrical interface for connecting to a vehicle bus; an auxiliary fuel tank, wherein the auxiliary fuel tank is provided with a second fuel level sensor, the auxiliary fuel tank fuel inlet pipe and the auxiliary fuel tank fuel return pipe are connected between the second fuel level sensor and the fuel switching valve, and an oil level connecting line is also electrically connected between the second fuel level sensor and the fuel switching valve.

[0007] In some embodiments, a controller is provided in the fuel switching valve, and the controller is electrically connected to the fuel level connecting line. The controller is used to receive the fuel level signal of the auxiliary fuel tank, the fuel level signal of the main fuel tank, and the fuel switching switch signal on the cab instrument panel through the vehicle bus, and send the fuel level signal of the main fuel tank and the fuel level signal of the auxiliary fuel tank to the cab instrument panel through the vehicle bus.

[0008] In some embodiments, a switching mechanism is provided in the fuel switching valve, and the switching mechanism is connected to the controller signal. The controller is also used to control the movement of the switching mechanism according to the fuel switching switch signal, and open the oil outlet channel of the main fuel tank and close the oil outlet channel of the auxiliary fuel tank at the same time, or open the oil outlet channel of the auxiliary fuel tank and close the oil outlet channel of the main fuel tank at the same time.

[0009] In some embodiments, the fuel switching valve is provided with an external oil inlet interface, which is connected to the auxiliary tank oil inlet pipe; the switching mechanism includes: a switching cam; and a connecting rod mechanism, which is connected to the switching cam, and the connecting rod mechanism is installed with a first sealing structure; the controller is used to control the movement of the switching cam so that the switching cam drives the connecting rod mechanism to move, and drives the first sealing structure to open the oil outlet channel of the main tank and close the external oil inlet interface at the same time, or open the external oil inlet interface and close the oil outlet channel of the main tank at the same time.

[0010] In some embodiments, the first sealing structure includes a spring and a sealing ring sleeved on the connecting rod mechanism.

[0011] In some embodiments, a sliding groove is provided on the switching cam, and the connecting rod mechanism includes: a first pressure rod, which is inserted into the sliding groove; and a first push rod, which is connected to the first pressure rod, and the first push rod is installed with the first sealing structure; when the switching cam rotates, the switching cam drives the first pressure rod to move in the sliding groove, and drives the first push rod to move, so that the first sealing structure switches between the oil outlet channel of the main oil tank and the external oil inlet interface.

[0012] In some embodiments, the fuel switching valve is provided with an external oil return interface, which is connected to the auxiliary tank return pipe; the connecting rod mechanism also includes: a second pressure rod, which is inserted into the slide groove; and a second push rod, which is connected to the second pressure rod, and the second push rod is installed with a second sealing structure; when the switching cam rotates, the switching cam drives the second pressure rod to move in the slide groove, and drives the second push rod to move, so that the second sealing structure switches between the return oil channel of the main tank and the external oil return interface.

[0013] In some embodiments, the slide groove extends around the circumferential direction of the switching cam, and the slide groove includes a horizontal section and an inclined section, the first pressure rod and the second pressure rod are both inserted in the inclined section, or one of them is inserted in the inclined section and the other is inserted in the horizontal section.

[0014] In a second aspect, a vehicle is provided, comprising an engine and the above-mentioned dual-tank fuel switching device connected to the engine.

[0015] On the third aspect, a control method for the above-mentioned dual-tank fuel switching device is provided, which includes the following steps: judging whether the oil level in the main fuel tank is insufficient based on the oil level signal of the first oil level sensor; if so, controlling the fuel switching valve to connect the engine oil inlet pipe with the auxiliary fuel tank oil inlet pipe, so that the auxiliary fuel tank supplies fuel to the engine.

[0016] The beneficial effects brought about by the technical solution provided by the present invention include:

[0017] An embodiment of the present invention provides a dual-tank fuel switching device, a vehicle and a control method. Since the fuel switching valve is arranged on the first fuel level sensor, there is no need to set up a fuel pipe to connect the fuel switching valve and the main fuel tank, which can reduce the number of fuel pipes and the number of interfaces, thereby reducing costs and reducing fuel leakage points. The second fuel level sensor and the fuel switching valve are electrically connected through an oil level connecting line to transmit the fuel level signal. There is no need to set up a separate oil level wiring harness on the main fuel tank and the auxiliary fuel tank. The fuel level signal can be sent to the entire vehicle from the bus through the external electrical interface on the fuel switching valve. Therefore, the dual-tank fuel switching device has a simpler structure, fewer fuel pipes and lower costs. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative work.

[0019] Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of a dual-tank fuel switching device provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the internal structure of a fuel switching valve provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the interior of a fuel switching valve provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the switching control strategy of the fuel switching valve provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] In the picture:

[0024] 1. Main fuel tank; 11. First fuel level sensor;

[0025] 2. Fuel switching valve; 21. External electrical interface; 22. Circuit board;

[0026] 23. Switching mechanism; 231. Switching cam; 2311. Slide; 23111. Horizontal section; 23112. Inclined section; 232. Connecting rod mechanism; 2321. First pressure rod; 2322. First push rod; 2323. Second pressure rod; 2324. Second push rod; 233. Motor;

[0027] 24. External oil inlet port; 25. External oil return port; 26. Oil inlet passage; 27. Oil return passage; 28. Fuel port;

[0028] 3. Engine oil inlet pipe; 4. Engine oil return pipe; 5. Auxiliary fuel tank; 51. Second oil level sensor; 6. Auxiliary fuel tank oil inlet pipe; 7. Auxiliary fuel tank oil return pipe; 8. Oil level connecting line. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention more clear, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0030] In the related art, the fuel switching device on the market includes two fuel tanks, whose outlet and return pipes are connected to a switching valve. The engine's fuel inlet and return lines are also connected to the switching valve. In addition, both tanks are equipped with fuel level sensors, and the fuel level signals of each tank are connected to the vehicle via a hard wire. The switching valve of this fuel switching device is placed on the pipeline, which is equivalent to interrupting the inlet and return lines in the middle. The switching valve has six fuel ports, and the fuel level signals are connected to the vehicle via hard wires. This makes the system more complex, with two additional wiring harnesses, equivalent to four connection ports. It is prone to water ingress or improper connection, affecting the fuel level display and level accuracy on the instrument.

[0031] In addition, in the cold season in the north, the oil pipe between the switching valve and the main fuel tank needs to be heated before the engine is started.

[0032] The embodiments of the present invention provide a dual-tank fuel switching device, a vehicle, and a control method, which can solve the problem in the related art that the fuel switching devices currently on the market increase the number of fuel pipes, the cost, and the number of fuel leakage points.

[0033] See also Figure 1As shown, a dual-tank fuel switching device provided by an embodiment of the present invention may include: a main fuel tank 1, the main fuel tank 1 is provided with a first fuel level sensor 11, wherein the first fuel level sensor 11 can be arranged inside the main fuel tank 1, the main fuel tank 1 can be a larger fuel tank that can store more fuel, and a fuel switching valve 2 can be installed on the first fuel level sensor 11, so that the fuel switching valve 2 and the first fuel level sensor 11 are integrated together, and the fuel switching valve 2 can be directly connected to the interior of the main fuel tank 1 through the first fuel level sensor 11, wherein the fuel switching valve 2 can be installed on the top of the first fuel level sensor 11; the fuel switching valve 2 can be connected to the engine oil inlet pipe 3 and the engine oil return pipe 4, so that the fuel in the main fuel tank 1 can enter the engine oil inlet pipe 3 through the oil outlet channel in the fuel switching valve 2, and the oil in the engine can enter the main fuel tank 1 through the engine oil return pipe 4 and the fuel switching valve 2; and the fuel switching valve 2 can also be provided with an external electrical interface 21 for connecting to a vehicle bus, The fuel level signal of the first fuel level sensor 11 can be transmitted to the cab instrument panel through the external electrical interface 21 and the vehicle bus; and the auxiliary fuel tank 5, wherein the auxiliary fuel tank 5 can be smaller than the main fuel tank 1. When the fuel in the main fuel tank 1 is exhausted, the fuel in the auxiliary fuel tank 5 can be used to enable the vehicle to travel further; the auxiliary fuel tank 5 can be provided with a second fuel level sensor 51, and the second fuel level sensor 51 can be connected to the interior of the auxiliary fuel tank 5, so that the fuel in the auxiliary fuel tank 5 can be connected to the second fuel level sensor 51. The oil flows out from the oil outlet channel in the sensor 51, and an auxiliary fuel tank oil inlet pipe 6 and an auxiliary fuel tank oil return pipe 7 are connected between the second fuel quantity sensor 51 and the fuel switching valve 2. The fuel in the auxiliary fuel tank 5 can enter the fuel switching valve 2 through the auxiliary fuel tank oil inlet pipe 6, and then enter the engine oil inlet pipe 3 through the fuel switching valve 2. An oil quantity connecting line 8 is also electrically connected between the second fuel quantity sensor 51 and the fuel switching valve 2, so that the second fuel quantity sensor 51 can transmit the oil quantity signal to the fuel switching valve 2 through the oil quantity connecting line 8.

[0034] In this embodiment, since the fuel switching valve 2 is set on the first fuel level sensor 11 and the first fuel level sensor 11 is integrated with the fuel switching valve 2, the fuel in the main fuel tank 1 can directly enter the fuel switching valve 2 through the first fuel level sensor 11 and then enter the engine fuel inlet pipe 3. There is no need to set up a fuel pipe between the fuel switching valve 2 and the main fuel tank 1 for connection, which can reduce the number of fuel pipes and the number of interfaces, thereby reducing costs and reducing fuel leakage points; and the second fuel level sensor 51 is electrically connected to the fuel switching valve 2 through the fuel level connection line 8 to transmit the fuel level signal. The fuel level signals measured by the first fuel level sensor 11 and the second fuel level sensor 51 can both be transmitted to the fuel switching valve 2, and then the fuel level signal can be sent from the bus to the entire vehicle through the external electrical interface 21 on the fuel switching valve 2. There is no need to set up separate fuel level wiring harnesses on the main fuel tank 1 and the auxiliary fuel tank 5. Therefore, the structure of the dual-tank fuel switching device is simpler, the number of fuel pipes is small, and the cost is low. Since there is only one oil level signal wiring harness between the main oil tank 1 and the auxiliary oil tank 5 , the system cost is lower and the reliability is higher.

[0035] Since the main fuel tank 1 is filled with cheaper 0# fuel in winter, the 0# fuel needs to be heated. This heating can be controlled by the fuel switching valve 2. This also avoids the need to heat the fuel pipe between the fuel switching valve 2 and the main fuel tank 1 when the fuel switching valve 2 is placed between the main fuel tank 1 and the auxiliary fuel tank 5. In this embodiment, the fuel switching valve 2 is integrated with the first fuel level sensor 11, eliminating the need for a fuel pipe between the fuel switching valve 2 and the main fuel tank 1. This eliminates the need to heat the fuel pipe between the fuel switching valve 2 and the main fuel tank 1 during cold weather in northern China, resulting in lower costs.

[0036] See also Figure 2 As shown, in some embodiments, a circuit board 22 can be provided in the fuel switching valve 2, and the circuit board 22 can communicate and supply power to the entire vehicle through the external electrical interface 21; a controller can be provided on the circuit board 22, and the controller is electrically connected to the oil level connection line 8, and the controller can also be connected to the signal of the first oil level sensor 11, and the controller is used to receive the oil level signal of the auxiliary fuel tank 5, the oil level signal of the main fuel tank 1, and the fuel switching switch signal on the cab instrument panel through the vehicle bus, and send the oil level signal of the main fuel tank 1 and the oil level signal of the auxiliary fuel tank 5 to the cab instrument panel through the vehicle bus, or send the oil level signal of the main fuel tank 1 and the oil level signal of the auxiliary fuel tank 5 to the mobile phone APP to remind the driver to add fuel in time.

[0037] See also Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, in some optional embodiments, a switching mechanism 23 may be provided within the fuel switching valve 2. The switching mechanism 23 is connected to the controller signal. The controller is further configured to control the movement of the switching mechanism 23 based on the fuel switching switch signal, thereby opening the oil outlet passage of the main fuel tank 1 while simultaneously closing the oil outlet passage of the auxiliary fuel tank 5, or opening the oil outlet passage of the auxiliary fuel tank 5 while simultaneously closing the oil outlet passage of the main fuel tank 1. In this embodiment, by providing the controller and the switching mechanism 23 connected thereto, automatic switching between the main fuel tank 1 and the auxiliary fuel tank 5 can be achieved, and while opening one oil outlet passage, the switching mechanism 23 simultaneously moves to the other oil outlet passage to close the other oil outlet passage. This eliminates the need to provide two switches for separate control of the two oil outlet passages, thereby reducing the number of components and simplifying the control steps.

[0038] See also Figure 2 As shown, in some embodiments, the fuel switching valve 2 may be provided with an external oil inlet interface 24, and the external oil inlet interface 24 is connected to the auxiliary tank oil inlet pipe 6, and the fuel in the auxiliary tank 5 can enter the fuel switching valve 2 through the auxiliary tank oil inlet pipe 6 and the external oil inlet interface 24; the fuel switching valve 2 may include a shell and a valve cover provided on the shell, the circuit board 22 and the switching mechanism 23 may be installed in the shell, the external oil inlet interface 24 may be installed on the outside of the shell, and the valve cover may be opened to see the switching mechanism 23 inside the shell, and the switching mechanism 23 may include: a switching cam 231, wherein the switching cam 231 is preferably placed at the center position in the shell. Of course, in other embodiments, the position of the switching cam 231 can also be adjusted according to actual conditions; and the connecting rod mechanism 232, the connecting rod mechanism 232 can be connected to the switching cam 231, so that the switching cam 231 can drive the connecting rod mechanism 232 to move, and the connecting rod mechanism 232 can be installed with a first sealing structure; the controller is used to control the movement of the switching cam 231, so that the switching cam 231 drives the connecting rod mechanism 232 to move, and while the connecting rod mechanism 232 moves, it can drive the first sealing structure to open the oil outlet channel of the main oil tank 1 and close the external oil inlet interface 24 at the same time, or open the external oil inlet interface 24 and close the oil outlet channel of the main oil tank 1 at the same time.

[0039] Preferably, the lower part of the switching cam 231 can be connected to a motor 233, and the motor 233 can be connected to the controller signal. The controller can control the rotation of the motor 233. When the controller receives the fuel tank switching request, it can control the motor 233 to rotate and drive the switching cam 231 to rotate. The connecting rod mechanism 232 can move with the rotation of the switching cam 231.

[0040] In some embodiments, the first sealing structure may include a spring and a sealing ring sleeved on the connecting rod mechanism 232. The spring may provide a pre-tightening force to ensure that the sealing ring is in close contact with the oil outlet channel, thereby improving the sealing performance.

[0041] See also Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, in some optional embodiments, the switching cam 231 may be provided with a slide groove 2311, and the connecting rod mechanism 232 may include: a first pressure rod 2321, the first pressure rod 2321 is inserted into the slide groove 2311, and the first pressure rod 2321 can move in the slide groove 2311; and a first push rod 2322, the first push rod 2322 is connected to the first pressure rod 2321, the first push rod 2322 is installed with the first sealing structure, and the first push rod 2322 can push the first sealing structure to The oil outlet passage is blocked; when the switching cam 231 rotates, the switching cam 231 can drive the first pressure rod 2321 to move along the slide groove 2311 within the slide groove 2311, and drive the first push rod 2322 to move, so that the first sealing structure switches between the oil outlet passage of the main oil tank 1 and the external oil inlet interface 24. That is, when the first push rod 2322 moves, the first sealing structure can follow the first push rod 2322 to switch between the oil outlet passages of the main oil tank 1 and the auxiliary oil tank 5. In this embodiment, by providing the slide groove 2311 to drive the first pressure rod 2321 to move along a preset path, the number of rods in the connecting rod mechanism 232 can be reduced, making the structure of the connecting rod mechanism 232 simpler.

[0042] Preferably, in this embodiment, when the switching cam 231 rotates, the first pressure rod 2321 can move up and down as the groove shape of the slide groove 2311 changes, while driving the first push rod 2322 to slide up and down, thereby switching between the two oil outlet channels.

[0043] See also Figure 2As shown, in some optional embodiments, the fuel switching valve 2 may further be provided with an external oil return interface 25, and the external oil return interface 25 is connected to the auxiliary tank return pipe 7; the connecting rod mechanism 232 may further include: a second pressure rod 2323, which may also be inserted into the slide groove 2311; and a second push rod 2324, which is connected to the second pressure rod 2323, so that when the switching cam 231 rotates, the second pressure rod 2323 can move along the slide groove 2311 in the slide groove 2311, and at the same time drive the second push rod 2324 to move, and the second push rod 2324 may be installed with a second sealing structure; when the switching cam 231 rotates, the switching cam 231 drives the second pressure rod 2323 to move in the slide groove 2311, and drives the second push rod 2324 to move, so that the second sealing structure switches between the return oil channel of the main tank 1 and the external oil return interface 25. That is, the second sealing structure can block the return oil channel of the main oil tank 1, or can also block the return oil channel of the auxiliary oil tank 5. During the movement of the second push rod 2324, the second sealing structure can be switched to block the return oil channel of the main oil tank 1 and open the return oil channel of the auxiliary oil tank 5 at the same time, or the second sealing structure can be switched to block the return oil channel of the auxiliary oil tank 5 and open the return oil channel of the main oil tank 1 at the same time, thereby realizing the return oil switching between the main oil tank 1 and the auxiliary oil tank 5.

[0044] Furthermore, an oil inlet passage 26 and an oil return passage 27 may be provided in the housing. The oil inlet passage 26 is connected to the external oil inlet interface 24, and the oil return passage 27 is connected to the external oil return interface 25. The first sealing structure may be provided at the oil inlet passage 26. When the oil outlet passage of the auxiliary oil tank 5 needs to be sealed, the first sealing structure may be actuated to block the oil inlet passage 26. The second sealing structure may be provided at the oil return passage 27. When the oil return passage of the auxiliary oil tank 5 needs to be sealed, the second sealing structure may be actuated to block the oil return passage 27. The second sealing structure may have the same structure as the first sealing structure.

[0045] Further, see Figure 2 As shown, the housing may further be provided with two additional fuel interfaces 28, which may be respectively connected to the engine oil inlet pipe 3 and the engine oil return pipe 4. The other end of the engine oil inlet pipe 3 is connected to the oil inlet of the engine, and the other end of the engine oil return pipe 4 is connected to the oil outlet of the engine.

[0046] Preferably, the external electrical interface 21 may be provided with a power cord pin, a bus pin, a fuel switching pin, and a fuel level pin for connecting to the auxiliary fuel tank 5. The second fuel level sensor 51 may be provided with a fuel outlet connector and a fuel return connector. The fuel outlet connector is connected to the auxiliary fuel tank inlet pipe 6, and the fuel return connector is connected to the auxiliary fuel tank return pipe 7. The second fuel level sensor 51 may also be provided with a fuel level electrical interface. The fuel level electrical interface is connected to the fuel level connection line 8, the other end of which is connected to the electrical interface on the fuel switching valve 2.

[0047] See also Figure 3 As shown, in some embodiments, the switching cam 231 can be a cylinder, which can be a cylinder or a cone. The slide groove 2311 can extend around the circumferential direction of the switching cam 231 and can be arranged on the surface of the switching cam 231. The controller can control the switching cam 231 to rotate around its axis and drive the slide groove 2311 to rotate. The slide groove 2311 can include a horizontal section 23111 and an inclined section 23112. The first pressure rod 2321 and the second pressure rod 2323 are both inserted in the inclined section 23112, or one of them is inserted in the inclined section 23112, and the other is inserted in the horizontal section 23111. Specifically, when both the first pressure rod 2321 and the second pressure rod 2323 are inserted into the inclined section 23112, they can move simultaneously to achieve simultaneous switching. When one of them is inserted into the inclined section 23112 and the other is inserted into the horizontal section 23111, the controller can control the required delay time to prevent the first pressure rod 2321 and the second pressure rod 2323 from moving simultaneously to achieve non-simultaneous switching. In other words, either the first pressure rod 2321 or the second pressure rod 2323 can be inserted into the horizontal section 23111.

[0048] In this embodiment, according to the design of the slide groove 2311, the first push rod 2322 and the second push rod 2324 can achieve non-simultaneous movement, that is, when the main fuel tank 1 supplies oil, the return oil may not return to the main fuel tank 1 first; when the auxiliary fuel tank 5 supplies oil, the return oil may not return to the auxiliary fuel tank 5 first, that is, delayed oil return. For the auxiliary fuel tank 5, it can avoid the waste of higher-priced low-grade oil, and can also avoid the high-grade oil in the engine oil inlet pipe 3 and the engine oil return pipe 4 from entering the auxiliary fuel tank 5, causing an increase in diesel viscosity, resulting in difficulty in starting the engine.

[0049] Of course, in other embodiments, only the inclined section 23112 may be provided on the sliding groove 2311 to achieve simultaneous movement of the first pressing rod 2321 and the second pressing rod 2323 .

[0050] In some optional embodiments, the switching cam 231 may also be an irregular structure, and the connecting rod mechanism 232 can be directly driven to switch the first sealing structure by rotating the switching cam 231 .

[0051] An embodiment of the present invention further provides a vehicle, which may include an engine and the aforementioned dual-tank fuel switching device connected to the engine. Integrating the fuel switching valve 2 with the first fuel level sensor 11 simplifies the structure of the dual-tank fuel switching device and the vehicle, reduces the number of fuel pipes, and lowers costs. Fuel level signals are transmitted to the vehicle via a bus, resulting in fewer fuel level wiring harnesses and interfaces, making the dual-tank fuel switching device more reliable. Furthermore, there is no fuel pipe between the fuel switching valve 2 and the main fuel tank 1. This eliminates the need to heat the fuel pipe between the fuel switching valve 2 and the main fuel tank 1 during cold weather in northern China, further reducing costs.

[0052] An embodiment of the present invention also provides a control method for the above-mentioned dual-tank fuel switching device, which may include the following steps: judging whether the oil level in the main fuel tank 1 is insufficient based on the oil level signal of the first oil level sensor 11; if so, controlling the fuel switching valve 2 to connect the engine oil inlet pipe 3 with the auxiliary fuel tank oil inlet pipe 6, so that the auxiliary fuel tank 5 supplies fuel to the engine.

[0053] See also Figure 4 As shown in the figure, the fuel supply and fuel level display control strategy diagram for the main fuel tank 1 and the auxiliary fuel tank 5 is provided, wherein a rocker switch and a fuel level gauge are provided on the cab instrument panel. When the liquid level of the current fuel supply tank is found to be insufficient during driving, the fuel rocker switch on the cab instrument panel is pressed to switch to the other fuel tank for fuel supply. At the same time, the oil level display of the fuel level gauge on the cab instrument panel will switch to the liquid level of the current fuel supply tank.

[0054] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "upper" and "lower" is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present invention. Unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection, or it can be indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, or it can be internal communication between two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0055] It should be noted that, in the present invention, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are merely used to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply the existence of any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Moreover, the terms "include", "comprise" or any other variants thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, article or device comprising a series of elements includes not only those elements, but also other elements not explicitly listed, or also includes elements inherent to such process, method, article or device. In the absence of further restrictions, an element defined by the sentence "comprising a ..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article or device comprising the element.

[0056] The foregoing description is intended only to provide specific embodiments of the present invention, which will enable those skilled in the art to understand and implement the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is intended to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features claimed herein.

Claims

1. A dual-tank fuel switching device, characterized in that: It includes: A main fuel tank (1), the main fuel tank (1) being provided with a first fuel level sensor (11), and a fuel switching valve (2) being mounted on the first fuel level sensor (11), the fuel switching valve (2) being connected to an engine fuel inlet pipe (3) and an engine fuel return pipe (4), and the fuel switching valve (2) being further provided with an external electrical interface (21) for connecting to a vehicle bus; A secondary fuel tank (5), the secondary fuel tank (5) being provided with a second fuel level sensor (51), a secondary fuel tank fuel inlet pipe (6) and a secondary fuel tank fuel return pipe (7) being connected between the second fuel level sensor (51) and the fuel switching valve (2), and a fuel level connection line (8) being electrically connected between the second fuel level sensor (51) and the fuel switching valve (2); A controller is provided in the fuel switching valve (2), and the controller is electrically connected to the fuel quantity connection line (8). The controller is used to receive the fuel quantity signal of the auxiliary fuel tank (5), the fuel quantity signal of the main fuel tank (1), and the fuel switching switch signal on the cab instrument panel via the vehicle bus, and transmit the fuel quantity signal of the main fuel tank (1) and the fuel quantity signal of the auxiliary fuel tank (5) to the cab instrument panel via the vehicle bus; A switching mechanism (23) is provided in the fuel switching valve (2), and the switching mechanism (23) is connected to the controller signal. The controller is also used to control the movement of the switching mechanism (23) according to the fuel switching switch signal, and open the oil outlet channel of the main fuel tank (1) and close the oil outlet channel of the auxiliary fuel tank (5) at the same time, or open the oil outlet channel of the auxiliary fuel tank (5) and close the oil outlet channel of the main fuel tank (1) at the same time; The fuel switching valve (2) is provided with an external oil inlet interface (24), and the external oil inlet interface (24) is connected to the auxiliary oil tank oil inlet pipe (6); The switching mechanism (23) includes: a switching cam (231); and a connecting rod mechanism (232), wherein the connecting rod mechanism (232) is connected to the switching cam (231), and the connecting rod mechanism (232) is equipped with a first sealing structure; The controller is used to control the movement of the switching cam (231), so that the switching cam (231) drives the connecting rod mechanism (232) to move, and drives the first sealing structure to open the oil outlet passage of the main oil tank (1) and simultaneously close the external oil inlet interface (24), or to open the external oil inlet interface (24) and simultaneously close the oil outlet passage of the main oil tank (1); The switching cam (231) is provided with a sliding groove (2311), and the connecting rod mechanism (232) includes: A first pressing rod (2321), wherein the first pressing rod (2321) is inserted into the sliding groove (2311); and a first push rod (2322), the first push rod (2322) being connected to the first pressure rod (2321), the first push rod (2322) being equipped with the first sealing structure; When the switching cam (231) rotates, the switching cam (231) drives the first pressure rod (2321) to move in the sliding groove (2311), and drives the first push rod (2322) to move, so that the first sealing structure switches between the oil outlet channel of the main oil tank (1) and the external oil inlet interface (24); The fuel switching valve (2) is provided with an external oil return interface (25), and the external oil return interface (25) is connected to the auxiliary oil tank return pipe (7); the connecting rod mechanism (232) also includes: A second pressing rod (2323), wherein the second pressing rod (2323) is inserted into the sliding groove (2311); and a second push rod (2324), the second push rod (2324) being connected to the second pressure rod (2323), and the second push rod (2324) being equipped with a second sealing structure; When the switching cam (231) rotates, the switching cam (231) drives the second pressure rod (2323) to move in the sliding groove (2311), and drives the second push rod (2324) to move, so that the second sealing structure switches between the oil return channel of the main oil tank (1) and the external oil return interface (25); The slide groove (2311) extends around the circumferential direction of the switching cam (231), and the slide groove (2311) includes a horizontal section (23111) and an inclined section (23112), and the first pressure rod (2321) and the second pressure rod (2323) are both inserted in the inclined section (23112), or one of them is inserted in the inclined section (23112) and the other is inserted in the horizontal section (23111).

2. The dual-tank fuel switching device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first sealing structure comprises a spring and a sealing ring sleeved on the connecting rod mechanism (232).

3. A vehicle, characterized in that: The fuel switching device comprises an engine and a dual-tank fuel switching device according to any one of claims 1 to 2 connected to the engine.

4. A control method for a dual-tank fuel switching device according to claim 1, characterized in that: It includes the following steps: determining whether the oil level in the main oil tank (1) is insufficient based on the oil level signal of the first oil level sensor (11); If so, the fuel switching valve (2) is controlled to connect the engine oil inlet pipe (3) with the auxiliary oil tank oil inlet pipe (6), so that the auxiliary oil tank (5) supplies oil to the engine.

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