A passenger car fuel tank system and a passenger car

Abstract

The utility model relates to a kind of passenger car oil tank system and passenger car, belong to passenger car fuel system technical field.Solution main oil tank and auxiliary oil tank are connected to oil tank conversion valve by oil pipe respectively, oil tank conversion valve is connected for the oil supply oil circuit for supplying oil to engine, and oil tank conversion valve is used to select main oil tank or certain auxiliary oil tank to supply oil to engine according to switching signal;Main oil tank and auxiliary oil tank are both provided with the oil quantity sensor connected with whole car instrument, to transmit the oil quantity in corresponding oil tank to whole car instrument;Oil tank conversion valve is also connected with the conversion valve switching control circuit for being connected with whole car instrument, for whole car instrument sends switching signal to oil tank conversion valve according to the oil quantity in corresponding oil tank and sends switching signal to oil tank conversion valve according to the operation of driver.The double-oil-tank system of the utility model cancels large-diameter communication steel pipe, and is convenient for whole car arrangement;It can provide two kinds of oil tank switching methods of manual and automatic simultaneously, meet different user needs, and improve operation convenience.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a bus fuel tank system and a bus, belonging to the technical field of bus fuel system. Background Technology

[0002] To fully utilize the space in the bus chassis and meet the requirements of a regular shape and maximum size for the luggage compartment, existing technologies often employ a dual-fuel-tank design instead of the single fuel tank used in traditional buses. However, the dual-fuel-tank design in existing technologies requires connecting the main and auxiliary fuel tanks via large-diameter steel pipes to ensure fuel flow. When the fuel level in the main fuel tank drops, fuel from the auxiliary fuel tank replenishes the main fuel tank through the large-diameter steel pipes. Similarly, during refueling, fuel entering the main fuel tank also replenishes the auxiliary fuel tank through the large-diameter steel pipes.

[0003] This dual-fuel-tank design can make the most of the space outside the vehicle's luggage compartment, but the presence of the connecting steel pipe will still occupy space and affect the luggage compartment design; at the same time, because it is necessary to allow the fuel in the two fuel tanks to be replenished through the connecting steel pipe, it restricts the placement of the fuel tanks and makes it difficult to flexibly adjust according to the bus design requirements.

[0004] Chinese patent application CN118532269A discloses a main / auxiliary fuel tank switching control method, control system, and vehicle. This dual-fuel tank design eliminates the connecting steel pipe between the tanks. Each tank is connected to a fuel tank switching valve via its own fuel supply pipe, which in turn connects to the engine's upstream fuel supply circuit. By switching the fuel tank switching valve, either the main or auxiliary fuel tank can be connected to the engine's upstream fuel supply circuit. This solution eliminates the influence of the connecting steel pipe on the position and design of the dual fuel tanks. However, this solution's fuel tank switching valve can only be manually controlled, which is insufficient to meet the automated and intelligent control requirements of modern high-end commercial vehicles. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this utility model is to provide a bus fuel tank system to solve the problem that the existing fuel tank system can only switch between the main and auxiliary fuel tanks through manual control; it also provides a bus to solve the problem of low automation and intelligence of the bus fuel system.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the solution of this utility model includes:

[0007] This utility model discloses a bus fuel tank system, comprising a main fuel tank and at least one auxiliary fuel tank. The main fuel tank and the auxiliary fuel tank are respectively connected to a fuel tank switching valve via fuel supply pipes. The fuel tank switching valve is connected to a fuel supply circuit for supplying fuel to the engine. The fuel tank switching valve is used to connect the fuel supply pipe of the main fuel tank or the fuel supply pipe of one of the auxiliary fuel tanks to the fuel supply circuit according to a switching signal. Both the main fuel tank and the auxiliary fuel tank are equipped with fuel level sensors, which are connected to the vehicle's instrument panel to transmit the fuel level in the corresponding tank. The fuel tank switching valve is also connected to a switching valve switching control circuit for connection to the vehicle's instrument panel, which sends a switching signal to the fuel tank switching valve according to the fuel level in the corresponding tank and according to the driver's operation.

[0008] Furthermore, it also includes a fuel tank switching switch operated by the driver, which is used by the vehicle's instruments to send a switching signal to the fuel tank switching valve based on the driver's operation.

[0009] Furthermore, the switching switch is a manual switch connected to the vehicle's instrument panel.

[0010] Furthermore, the main oil tank and the auxiliary oil tank are respectively connected to the oil tank switching valve via return oil pipes. The oil tank switching valve is also connected to the engine return oil circuit for engine oil return. The oil tank switching valve is used to connect the oil supply and return oil pipes of the main oil tank or the oil supply and return oil pipes of a certain auxiliary oil tank to the corresponding oil supply circuit and oil return circuit according to the switching signal.

[0011] Furthermore, a fuel filter is installed on the oil pipeline.

[0012] Furthermore, the oil tank switching valve is a multi-channel switching valve, with each input channel including two pipelines corresponding to the oil supply pipe and oil return pipe of an oil tank, and the two pipelines of the output channel corresponding to the oil supply circuit and oil return circuit.

[0013] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows:

[0014] This invention eliminates the large-diameter connecting steel pipes between fuel tanks, allowing for more flexible fuel tank layout on buses. It also increases luggage compartment space, reduces the need for connecting pipes and other materials, lowers bus production costs, and improves production efficiency. Furthermore, the simple and low-cost electrical connection of this invention provides both manual and automatic fuel tank switching methods, improving fuel efficiency, meeting diverse user needs, and enhancing operational convenience.

[0015] This utility model discloses a passenger vehicle, comprising a main fuel tank and at least one auxiliary fuel tank. The main fuel tank and the auxiliary fuel tank are respectively connected to a fuel tank switching valve via fuel supply pipes. The fuel tank switching valve is connected to a fuel supply circuit for supplying fuel to the engine. The fuel tank switching valve is used to connect the fuel supply pipe of the main fuel tank or the fuel supply pipe of one of the auxiliary fuel tanks to the fuel supply circuit according to a switching signal. Both the main fuel tank and the auxiliary fuel tank are equipped with fuel level sensors, which are connected to the vehicle's instrument panel to transmit the fuel level in the corresponding tank. The vehicle's instrument panel is also connected to the fuel tank switching valve via a switching control circuit, which is used to send switching signals to the fuel tank switching valve according to the fuel level in the corresponding tank and according to the driver's operation.

[0016] Furthermore, it also includes a fuel tank switching switch operated by the driver, which is used by the vehicle's instruments to send a switching signal to the fuel tank switching valve based on the driver's operation.

[0017] Furthermore, the switching switch is a manual switch connected to the vehicle's instrument panel.

[0018] Furthermore, the main oil tank and the auxiliary oil tank are respectively connected to the oil tank switching valve via return oil pipes. The oil tank switching valve is also connected to the engine return oil circuit for engine oil return. The oil tank switching valve is used to connect the oil supply and return oil pipes of the main oil tank or the oil supply and return oil pipes of a certain auxiliary oil tank to the corresponding oil supply circuit and oil return circuit according to the switching signal.

[0019] Furthermore, a fuel filter is installed on the oil pipeline.

[0020] Furthermore, the oil tank switching valve is a multi-channel switching valve, with each input channel including two pipelines corresponding to the oil supply pipe and oil return pipe of an oil tank, and the two pipelines of the output channel corresponding to the oil supply circuit and oil return circuit.

[0021] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows:

[0022] This invention provides a bus with an optimized fuel tank layout. The large-diameter connecting steel pipes between fuel tanks are eliminated, allowing for more flexible tank arrangement, increasing luggage compartment space, reducing materials such as connecting pipes, lowering production costs, and improving production efficiency. Furthermore, the simple and low-cost electrical connection of this invention provides both manual and automatic fuel tank switching methods, improving fuel efficiency, meeting diverse user needs, and enhancing operational convenience. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is a structural schematic diagram of a dual-fuel-tank implementation method for a passenger vehicle fuel tank system according to this utility model.

[0024] The diagram includes: 1. Main fuel tank oil supply pipe; 2. Auxiliary fuel tank oil supply pipe; 3. Main fuel tank return pipe; 4. Auxiliary fuel tank return pipe; 5. Engine fuel supply circuit; 6. Engine return circuit; 7. Main fuel level display circuit; 8. Auxiliary fuel level display circuit; 9. Switch. Detailed Implementation

[0025] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this utility model clearer, the present utility model will be described in a clear and complete manner below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0026] System Implementation Method:

[0027] This embodiment of a bus fuel tank system includes a main fuel tank and at least one auxiliary fuel tank. The main fuel tank is the primary fuel storage device for the bus fuel system, and the auxiliary fuel tank is an auxiliary fuel storage device serving as a backup fuel tank. The main and auxiliary fuel tanks, as well as the auxiliary fuel tanks themselves, do not require connecting steel pipes. Each fuel tank, whether main or auxiliary, has an independent filler port, and each fuel tank also has its own independent fuel supply port for supplying fuel to the engine. Therefore, it no longer relies on connecting steel pipes to ensure uniform fuel distribution across all fuel tanks.

[0028] Fuel supply to the engine relies on the fuel pump, so the fuel lines connecting the fuel tanks do not need to be rigid pipes, saving space and simplifying layout. This allows for more flexible design of the bus's luggage compartment area; each fuel tank only needs to utilize suitable space outside the luggage compartment and other components and be properly connected to the fuel lines. This solves the problems of large fuel tank space requirements and limited luggage compartment space, while improving the flexibility of the fuel system layout and customer satisfaction. The number of auxiliary fuel tanks can be flexibly adjusted according to factors such as range requirements and suitable placement space; this invention does not limit this. The following description uses a dual-tank system with one main fuel tank and one auxiliary fuel tank as an example to further illustrate this implementation.

[0029] like Figure 1 As shown, the main fuel tank and the auxiliary fuel tank each have their own fuel supply ports connected to their respective fuel delivery pipes, including the main fuel tank fuel delivery pipe 1 connected to the main fuel tank supply port and the auxiliary fuel tank fuel delivery pipe 2 connected to the auxiliary fuel tank supply port; at the same time, the main and auxiliary fuel tanks are also equipped with return ports, and each is connected to its own return pipe, including the main fuel tank return pipe 3 connected to the main fuel tank return port and the auxiliary fuel tank return pipe 4 connected to the auxiliary fuel tank return port.

[0030] The main fuel tank supply line 1, the auxiliary fuel tank supply line 2, the main fuel tank return line 3, and the auxiliary fuel tank return line 4 are connected to the engine fuel supply line 5 and the engine fuel return line 6 via a fuel tank switching valve. A fuel pump is installed on the engine fuel supply line 5 to pump fuel from the corresponding fuel tank and supply it to the engine through the corresponding switched-to fuel supply line. The return line is used to guide excess fuel back to the corresponding fuel tank through the corresponding switched-to return line.

[0031] The main fuel tank oil supply pipe 1, the auxiliary fuel tank oil supply pipe 2, and the engine fuel supply line 5 are all oil inlet pipes used for engine oil intake; the main fuel tank return pipe 3, the auxiliary fuel tank return pipe 4, and the engine return line 6 are all oil return pipes used for engine oil return.

[0032] The fuel tank switching valve is used to switch which fuel tank's supply line and return line are connected to the engine fuel supply line 5 and engine fuel return line 6, respectively. In this embodiment, the fuel tank switching valve can switch the connection of the main fuel tank supply line 1 and the main fuel tank return line 3 to the engine fuel supply line 5 and engine fuel return line 6, respectively, or the connection of the auxiliary fuel tank supply line 2 and the auxiliary fuel tank return line 4 to the engine fuel supply line 5 and engine fuel return line 6, respectively.

[0033] Specifically, in this embodiment, the fuel tank switching valve adopts a ceramic valve core dual-channel switching valve. Each input channel includes two pipelines, and the output channel includes two corresponding pipelines. The two input channels are controlled to switch and connect to the corresponding two pipelines of the output channel. The two pipelines of the non-connected input channels are in a closed state. The two pipelines of one input channel are respectively connected to the main fuel tank supply pipeline 1 and the main fuel tank return pipeline 3. The two pipelines of the other input channel are respectively connected to the auxiliary fuel tank supply pipeline 2 and the auxiliary fuel tank return pipeline 4. The two pipelines of the output channel are respectively connected to the engine fuel supply line 5 and the engine fuel return line 6.

[0034] As another implementation, with more auxiliary fuel tanks, there are more corresponding switching states, connecting the fuel supply lines and return lines of the other auxiliary fuel tanks to the engine fuel supply line 5 and the engine fuel return line 6 respectively. Specifically, a switching valve with more channels can be used, with each input channel connected to the fuel supply line and return line of one fuel tank.

[0035] Fuel filters are installed on the main fuel tank supply pipe 1 and the auxiliary fuel tank supply pipe 2 respectively.

[0036] The main fuel tank and auxiliary fuel tank are equipped with a main fuel level sensor and an auxiliary fuel level sensor, respectively. The main fuel level sensor is connected to the vehicle's instrument panel via main fuel level display line 7, and the auxiliary fuel level sensor is connected to the instrument panel via auxiliary fuel level display line 8, so that the fuel levels in the main and auxiliary tanks can be displayed on the instrument panel for the driver's reference. Specifically, the fuel level sensor can be a liquid level sensor, which reflects and displays the fuel level in the tank based on the liquid level in the tank.

[0037] The vehicle's instrument panel is also connected to the fuel tank switching valve via a switching valve control circuit. The main fuel level display line 7, the auxiliary fuel level display line 8, and the switching valve control circuit are all control circuits used to transmit electrical signals or control commands.

[0038] The dual fuel tank system for buses of this utility model achieves manual / active switching of fuel tanks in the following manner:

[0039] The vehicle's instrument panel is also equipped with a switch 9 for the driver to operate, which allows the driver to select the main and auxiliary fuel tanks to supply fuel to the engine based on the fuel levels in the main and auxiliary fuel tanks.

[0040] Based on the state of the switch 9, the vehicle instrument panel sends a switching signal to the fuel tank switching valve through the switching control circuit to control the fuel tank switching valve to select the engine fuel supply line 5 and the engine fuel return line 6 to connect with the fuel supply pipe and return pipe of the main fuel tank or the auxiliary fuel tank.

[0041] Specifically, in this embodiment, the switch 9 is a manual switch. After the vehicle instrument collects the change in the contact state of the manual switch, the switching control circuit outputs a switching signal through the switching valve. In other embodiments, other types of switches commonly used in vehicle instruments can also be used, such as rotary switches that can close and open contacts or virtual switches on touch screens.

[0042] When there are two or more auxiliary fuel tanks, the manual switch used needs to have a corresponding number of physical or virtual contacts (the number of auxiliary fuel tanks plus one main fuel tank), such as a rotary switch with multiple stop positions or multiple virtual buttons on a touch screen.

[0043] The dual fuel tank system for buses of this utility model achieves automatic switching of fuel tanks in the following manner:

[0044] The vehicle's instrument panel detects the fuel level in the main fuel tank using the main fuel level sensor. When the fuel level in the main fuel tank falls below a preset low fuel level warning value, the instrument panel outputs a switching signal through the switching valve control circuit to control the fuel tank switching valve to switch from connecting the main fuel tank to connecting the auxiliary fuel tank. When the instrument panel detects from the fuel level display circuit that the fuel levels in both the main and auxiliary fuel tanks are below a preset low fuel level warning value, it also reminds the driver to refuel.

[0045] When the fuel tank switching valve is connected to the auxiliary fuel tank, after the main fuel tank is filled, the vehicle instrument panel will detect through the main fuel level sensor that the fuel level in the main fuel tank is higher than a preset high fuel level threshold. Then, the switching control circuit will output a switching signal to control the fuel tank switching valve to switch back from connecting to the auxiliary fuel tank to connecting to the main fuel tank.

[0046] If the driver manually switches to the auxiliary fuel tank via switch 9 on the instrument panel before the main fuel tank level drops below the preset low fuel warning value, the fuel tank switching valve will connect to the auxiliary fuel tank, and the vehicle will prioritize using fuel from the auxiliary tank. This continues until the driver manually switches back to the main fuel tank. This system not only automatically switches the vehicle to the auxiliary fuel tank based on the main tank level but also prioritizes driver-controlled manual fuel tank switching.

[0047] Furthermore, when the vehicle's instrument panel detects that the auxiliary fuel tank's fuel level is below a preset low fuel level warning value via the auxiliary fuel level sensor, it outputs a switching signal through the switching valve control circuit to control the fuel tank switching valve to switch from connecting the auxiliary fuel tank to connecting the main fuel tank. This allows for driver-controlled fuel tank switching with the highest priority. After manual switching, based on the selected fuel tank's fuel level, if the selected tank's fuel level falls below the corresponding low fuel level warning value, the system can still automatically switch to the other fuel tank until both the main and auxiliary fuel tanks are below their respective low fuel level warning values, at which point the instrument panel reminds the driver to refuel.

[0048] When there are multiple auxiliary fuel tanks, the vehicle instrument panel detects through the corresponding auxiliary fuel tank fuel level sensor that the fuel level of the auxiliary fuel tank currently supplying fuel to the engine is lower than a preset low fuel level warning value. Then, the switching control circuit outputs a switching signal to control the fuel tank switching valve to switch from connecting the current auxiliary fuel tank to connecting the next auxiliary fuel tank (e.g., the next auxiliary fuel tank according to the auxiliary fuel tank number sequence) until the fuel level of the last auxiliary fuel tank is lower than the low fuel level warning value. At this point, the vehicle instrument panel controls the fuel tank switching valve to switch to connecting the main fuel tank.

[0049] In the switching control circuit of the switching valve, the control connection of the vehicle instrument to the fuel tank switching valve can be as follows: when the vehicle instrument detects that the fuel level in the corresponding fuel tank has reached a preset value (low fuel level warning value or high fuel level threshold), it controls the corresponding relay in the switching control circuit of the switching valve to close. After the corresponding relay is turned on, it drives the fuel tank switching valve to perform a switching action to switch in the corresponding direction.

[0050] Bus implementation method:

[0051] One type of bus in this embodiment uses the bus fuel tank system described in the system embodiment. The bus fuel tank system has been described clearly enough in the system embodiment, and will not be repeated here.

Claims

1. A passenger vehicle fuel tank system, characterized in that, The system includes a main fuel tank and at least one auxiliary fuel tank. The main and auxiliary fuel tanks are connected to a fuel tank switching valve via fuel lines. The switching valve is connected to a fuel supply circuit for supplying fuel to the engine. The switching valve connects the fuel line from the main tank or one of the auxiliary tanks to the fuel supply circuit based on a switching signal. Both the main and auxiliary fuel tanks are equipped with fuel level sensors, which are connected to the vehicle's instrument panel to transmit the fuel level in the corresponding tank. The switching valve is also connected to a switching control circuit connected to the vehicle's instrument panel, which sends switching signals to the switching valve based on the fuel level in the corresponding tank and based on driver input.

2. The bus fuel tank system according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a fuel tank switching switch operated by the driver, which is used by the vehicle's instruments to send switching signals to the fuel tank switching valve based on the driver's operation.

3. The bus fuel tank system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The switching switch is a manual switch connected to the vehicle's instrument panel; a fuel filter is installed on the fuel line.

4. The bus fuel tank system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The main oil tank and the auxiliary oil tank are also connected to the oil tank switching valve via return oil pipes. The oil tank switching valve is also connected to the engine return oil circuit for engine oil return. The oil tank switching valve is used to connect the oil supply and return oil pipes of the main oil tank or the oil supply and return oil pipes of a certain auxiliary oil tank to the corresponding oil supply circuit and oil return circuit according to the switching signal.

5. The bus fuel tank system according to claim 4, characterized in that, The oil tank switching valve is a multi-channel switching valve. Each input channel includes two pipelines that are connected to the oil supply pipeline and the oil return pipeline of an oil tank, and the two pipelines of the output channel are connected to the oil supply circuit and the oil return circuit.

6. A passenger vehicle, characterized in that, The system includes a main fuel tank and at least one auxiliary fuel tank. The main and auxiliary fuel tanks are each connected to a fuel tank switching valve via fuel lines. The switching valve is connected to a fuel supply circuit for supplying fuel to the engine. The switching valve connects the fuel line from the main tank or one of the auxiliary tanks to the fuel supply circuit based on a switching signal. Both the main and auxiliary fuel tanks are equipped with fuel level sensors, which are connected to the vehicle's instrument cluster to transmit the fuel level in the corresponding tank. The vehicle's instrument cluster is also connected to the switching valve via a switching control circuit, which sends switching signals to the switching valve based on the fuel level in the corresponding tank and based on driver input.

7. The passenger vehicle according to claim 6, characterized in that, It also includes a fuel tank switching switch operated by the driver, which is used by the vehicle's instruments to send switching signals to the fuel tank switching valve based on the driver's operation.

8. The passenger vehicle according to claim 7, characterized in that, The switching switch is a manual switch connected to the vehicle's instrument panel; a fuel filter is installed on the fuel line.

9. The passenger vehicle according to claim 6, characterized in that, The main oil tank and the auxiliary oil tank are also connected to the oil tank switching valve via return oil pipes. The oil tank switching valve is also connected to the engine return oil circuit for engine oil return. The oil tank switching valve is used to connect the oil supply and return oil pipes of the main oil tank or the oil supply and return oil pipes of a certain auxiliary oil tank to the corresponding oil supply circuit and oil return circuit according to the switching signal.

10. The passenger vehicle according to claim 9, characterized in that, The oil tank switching valve is a multi-channel switching valve. Each input channel includes two pipelines that are connected to the oil supply pipeline and the oil return pipeline of an oil tank, and the two pipelines of the output channel are connected to the oil supply circuit and the oil return circuit.

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