Process for converting internal combustion engine vehicles to a dual-fuel gas version with optimization of the production process

Abstract

Method for converting internal combustion engine vehicles to a dual-fuel gas version with optimized production process. The invention relates to a method for converting internal combustion engine vehicles to a dual-fuel gas version with optimized production process. The method comprises a first step of assembling a conversion kit consisting of a rear conversion kit and a front conversion kit, and a second step consisting of validating the vehicle's operation (V). Optimizing the production process consists of optimizing the sequencing of the conversion, grouping the different vehicles together, where possible, by identical models from the same manufacturer.To automate the scheduling of vehicle conversions, the process uses a computer as a technical means to perform data processing using the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) of each vehicle to be converted. Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig. 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Method for converting thermal vehicles to a dual-fuel gas version with optimization of the production process

[0001] FIELD OF THE INVENTION TO WHICH THE INVENTION RELATES

[0002] The invention relates to the field of vehicle conversion.

[0003] It concerns a process for converting thermal vehicles to a dual-fuel gas version with optimization of the production process.

[0004] This involves converting a set of thermal vehicles, a fleet of thermal vehicles, or a fleet of thermal vehicles, vehicles already originally put into circulation with a thermal engine, to a dual-fuel gas engine. PREVIOUS ART

[0005] Conventionally, the conversion of thermal vehicles to a dual-fuel gas version is carried out in a garage by a gas installer on a scale of a few units.

[0006] In this context, all conversion operations are carried out as each customer receives their vehicles, each vehicle being different and being treated in a specific way for each model.

[0007] This solution is not suitable for a more industrial process due to the need to carry out different operations for each vehicle with artisanal labor times.

[0008] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The method of converting a set of thermal engine vehicles already in circulation by a dual-fuel gas version according to the invention comprises a first step of mounting a conversion kit composed of a rear conversion kit and a front conversion kit, mounting a rear conversion kit consisting at least in the addition of a second tank with its feed neck and its gas filling orifice in addition to the original tank with its feed neck and its filling orifice with the original fuel and mounting a front conversion kit consisting at least in the addition of an injection system with its own electronic computer and its injectors for the gas in addition to the original injection system with the original electronic injection computer and its injectors for the original fuel.

[0010] It includes a second step consisting of validating the operation of the vehicle (V),

[0011] Optimizing the production process consists of optimizing the scheduling of the conversion of the succession of different vehicles by grouping them when possible by identical models from the same car manufacturer.

[0012] It is then advantageous to group the vehicles to be converted by grouping them by identical rear conversion kit.

[0013] It is then advantageous to group the vehicles to be converted by grouping them by identical front conversion kit.

[0014] Advantageously, to automate the scheduling of vehicle conversions, the method uses a computer as a technical means to execute data processing using the VIN (acronym for Vehicle Identification Number) of each vehicle to be converted.

[0015] Advantageously, this data processing will notably consist of, starting from the VIN, identifying the manufacturer and the type of vehicle.

[0016] Advantageously, this data processing will notably consist of consulting a database of the technical characteristics of the vehicle from the VIN.

[0017] Advantageously, this data processing will notably consist of consulting a database of conversions to dual-fuel gas versions in the form of a conversion kit for both the front kit and the rear kit.

[0018] Advantageously, the data processing will then select for each vehicle at least one front kit and at least one rear kit.

[0019] Advantageously, the data processing will then automatically order the sequence of conversions from the VIN by sorting by vehicle models, then by rear kit, then by front kit.

[0020] Finally, advantageously, the sorting will be carried out on the VIN number if necessary to finish ordering the sequence of conversions to be made.

[0021] The method of converting a set of thermal engine vehicles already in circulation consists of the effective implementation of the conversion by a dual-fuel gas version on at least part of the set of vehicles according to the optimized ordering according to the invention. Brief description of the drawings

[0022] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows, for the understanding of which reference will be made to the attached drawing.

[0023] [Fig.l] shows an embodiment of a conversion of a vehicle to dual gas fuel, in particular with the addition of a second tank with its feed chute and its gas filling orifice and the addition of an injection system with its own electronic computer and its injectors for the gas. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] The method for converting a set of thermal engine vehicles already in circulation by a dual-fuel gas version according to the invention comprises a first step of mounting a conversion kit composed of a rear conversion kit and a front conversion kit, mounting a rear conversion kit consisting at least in the addition of a second tank (R2) with its feed neck and its filling orifice (02) with gas in addition to the original tank (RI) with its feed neck and its filling orifice (01) with the original fuel and mounting a front conversion kit consisting at least in the addition of an injection system with its own electronic computer (C2) and its injectors (12) for the gas in addition to the original injection system with the original electronic injection computer (Cl) and its injectors (II) for the original fuel.

[0025] It includes a second step consisting of validating the operation of the vehicle (V), or even fine-tuning the calibration of the mapping of the electronic calculator (C2) added for the gas.

[0026] [Fig.l] illustrates the implementation of the conversion of a thermal engine vehicle already in circulation by a dual-fuel gas version consisting at least of the addition of a second tank (R2) with its feed neck and its filling orifice (02) with gas in addition to the original tank (RI) with its feed neck and its filling orifice (01) with the original fuel and the addition of an injection system with its own electronic computer (C2) and its injectors (12) for the gas in addition to the original injection system with the original electronic injection computer (Cl) and its injectors (II) for the original fuel.

[0027] Advantageously, a multi-valve (PV) is associated with the gas tank (R2) in particular to provide a safety valve function.

[0028] The gas can be either natural gas in the gaseous state or LPG Liquefied Petroleum Gas.

[0029] Advantageously, the gas is LPG and a vapor-reducer (VD) is added which allows the liquid LPG from the gas tank (R2) to be converted into gas for the gas injectors (12). To this end, the vapor-reducer (VD) uses the heat from the engine by intercepting the engine cooling circuit via water pipes (CE).

[0030] Dual-fuel operation depends on the injection type of the original system.

[0031] If the original system is an indirect gasoline injection system, then in gas operation, only indirect gas injection operates, the engine being supplied 100% gas.

[0032] If the original system is a direct gasoline injection system, then when operating on gas, indirect gas injection works but also the direct gasoline injection system, in particular for cooling the injectors, the engine being typically powered 15% by gasoline and 85% by gas.

[0033] If the original system is a diesel direct injection system, then when operating on gas, indirect gas injection works but also the diesel direct injection system, the engine being typically powered 55% by diesel and 45% by gas.

[0034] Optimizing the production process consists of optimizing the scheduling of the conversion of the succession of different vehicles by grouping them when possible by identical models from the same car manufacturer.

[0035] Thus, when several identical vehicles follow one another, it is possible to carry out the custom calibration of the first vehicle only once, in a conventional manner by self-calibration of an engine calibration by operating the vehicle at different operating points in engine speed, engine load and vehicle speed.

[0036] Once this adjustment has been carried out on the first vehicle, the mapping calibration can be applied to the following identical vehicles, which represents a gain in productivity.

[0037] It is then advantageous to group the vehicles to be converted by grouping them by identical rear conversion kit.

[0038] By grouping identical rear conversion kits, this makes it possible on the one hand to make series of similar supports sharing the same mechanical interface, in particular for the tank, and on the other hand to increase productivity by reducing the assembly time of the following rear kits, once the assembly of the first kit has been carried out.

[0039] It is then advantageous to group the vehicles to be converted by grouping them by identical front conversion kit.

[0040] By grouping identical front conversion kits, this makes it possible on the one hand to make series of similar supports sharing the same mechanical interface, in particular for the injectors and the computer, and on the other hand to increase productivity by reducing the assembly time of the following front kits, once the assembly of the first kit has been carried out.

[0041] For example, it is advantageous to have sequences of similar vehicles of different brands such as small utility vehicles Renault Kangoo (Registered trademark and model), Citroën Berlingo (Registered trademark and model) and Peugeot Partner (Registered trademark and model) which may share identical rear kits and front kits in certain cases.

[0042] Advantageously, to automate the scheduling of conversions of the vehicles the process uses a computer as a technical means to carry out data processing using the VIN (acronym for Vehicle Identification Number which is the vehicle identification number) of each vehicle to be converted.

[0043] Advantageously, this data processing will notably consist of, starting from the VIN, identifying the manufacturer and the type of vehicle.

[0044] The VIN is of the form for example VF73AHC8FJ614969 whose header contains the manufacturer's code (VF1, VF3, VF7...) followed by the model then the serial number itself in this case a vehicle of the brand V7 Citroën (Registered trademark) and the model 3A9HC8 which is one of the 172 types approved for the C4 Picasso (Registered trademark and model).

[0045] Advantageously, this data processing will notably consist of consulting a database of the technical characteristics of the vehicle from the VIN.

[0046] Advantageously, this data processing will notably consist of consulting a database of conversions to dual-fuel gas versions in the form of a conversion kit for both the front kit and the rear kit.

[0047] Advantageously, the data processing will select for each vehicle at least one front kit and at least one rear kit.

[0048] The composition of a dual-fuel gas conversion kit includes, in particular the front kit, an electronic calculator (C2) with its gas injectors (12) and, in particular the rear kit, a gas tank (R2), a kit of which all the components are listed and approved in Europe according to regulation R67.01.

[0049] The electronic calculator (C2) of the kit must be able to interface with the original equipment electronics of the vehicle (V), which requires knowing the make and model in order to verify technical compatibility.

[0050] The gas tank (R2), generally toric, is placed as a replacement in the spare wheel housing, which requires knowing the size of the vehicle's tires (V) to be sized. There are more than 1,000 versions of R67.01 approved tanks.

[0051] This technical characteristics information according to the method is accessible by data processing from the VIN, possibly obtained from the registration.

[0052] The number of suppliers of gas conversion kits is several dozen and the number of approved components is several thousand.

[0053] Advantageously, this step will notably consist of composing the conversion kit according to the characteristics of the vehicle (V).

[0054] The method according to the invention actually comprises a technical means of automatically composing the gas conversion kit, in particular the electronic calculator version (C2) and the tank version (R2) specifically adapted to the vehicle. (V).

[0055] Advantageously, the data processing will automatically order the sequence of conversions from the VIN by sorting by vehicle models, then by rear kit, then by front kit.

[0056] Finally, advantageously, the sorting will be carried out on the VIN number if necessary to finish ordering the sequence of conversions to be made.

[0057] The method of converting a set of thermal engine vehicles already in circulation consists of the effective implementation of the conversion by a dual-fuel gas version on at least part of the set of vehicles according to the optimized ordering according to the invention.

[0058] This optimization is all the more interesting as it applies to a large number of vehicles by the dozens, even by the hundreds. Industrial application

[0059] In terms of industrial application, the method concerns the implementation of conversions of a set of thermal vehicles already in circulation by a dual-fuel gas version with optimization of the production process adapted to a form of industrialization.

[0060] The present invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described and shown, but those skilled in the art will be able to provide any variation in accordance with its spirit for implementations adapted to each specific context.

Claims

Claims

1. Method for converting a set of vehicles (V) with a thermal engine already in circulation by a dual-fuel gas version characterized in that it comprises a first step of mounting a conversion kit composed of a rear conversion kit and a front conversion kit, mounting a rear conversion kit consisting at least of the addition of a second tank (R2) with its feed neck and its filling orifice (02) with gas in addition to the original tank (RI) with its feed neck and its filling orifice (01) with the original fuel and mounting a front conversion kit consisting at least of the addition of an injection system with its own electronic computer (C2) and its injectors (12) for the gas in addition to the original injection system with the original electronic injection computer (Cl) and its injectors (II) for the original fuel,by the fact that it includes a second stage consisting of validating the operation of the vehicle (V), by the fact that the optimization of the production process consists of optimizing the scheduling of the conversion of the succession of the different vehicles by grouping them when possible by identical models from the same car manufacturer, and by the fact that it consists of the effective implementation of the conversion by a dual-fuel gas version on at least part of all the vehicles (V) according to the optimized scheduling.,

2. Method according to claim 1 characterized in that the optimized ordering consists of grouping the vehicles (V) to be converted by grouping them by identical rear conversion kits.

3. Method according to claim 2 characterized in that the optimized ordering consists of grouping the vehicles (V) to be converted by grouping them by identical front conversion kit.

4. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that to automate the scheduling of vehicle conversions (V) uses a computer as technical means to execute data processing using the VIN (acronym for Vehicle Identification Number which is the vehicle identification number) of each vehicle to be converted.

5. Method according to claim 4 characterized in that this data processing consists of starting from the VIN, identifying the manufacturer and the vehicle type.

6. Method according to claim 5 characterized in that this processing of data from the VIN also consists of consulting a database of the technical characteristics of the vehicle.

7. Method according to claim 6 characterized in that this data processing consists of then consulting a database of conversions to dual-fuel gas version in the form of a conversion kit for both the front kit and the rear kit.

8. Method according to claim 7 characterized in that this data processing then consists of selecting for each vehicle (V) at least one front kit and at least one rear kit.

9. Method according to claim 8 characterized in that this data processing then consists of automatically ordering the sequence of conversions from the VIN by sorting on the vehicle models, then by rear kit, then by front kit.

10. Method according to claim 9 characterized in that this data processing then consists of a sorting which is carried out on the VIN number if necessary to finish ordering the sequence of conversions to be made.

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