WO2006109958A1 - Apparatus for enhancing the performance of vehicles - Google Patents

Apparatus for enhancing the performance of vehicles Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2006109958A1
WO2006109958A1 PCT/KR2006/001278 KR2006001278W WO2006109958A1 WO 2006109958 A1 WO2006109958 A1 WO 2006109958A1 KR 2006001278 W KR2006001278 W KR 2006001278W WO 2006109958 A1 WO2006109958 A1 WO 2006109958A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
voltage
unit
vehicle
power source
voltage level
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/KR2006/001278
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Mi Ri Lee
Original Assignee
Withland Co., Ltd.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from KR1020050029815A external-priority patent/KR100610552B1/en
Priority claimed from KR20-2005-0009814U external-priority patent/KR200389549Y1/en
Application filed by Withland Co., Ltd. filed Critical Withland Co., Ltd.
Publication of WO2006109958A1 publication Critical patent/WO2006109958A1/en

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R16/00—Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for; Arrangement of elements of electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for
    • B60R16/02—Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for; Arrangement of elements of electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for electric constitutive elements
    • B60R16/023—Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for; Arrangement of elements of electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for electric constitutive elements for transmission of signals between vehicle parts or subsystems
    • B60R16/0231—Circuits relating to the driving or the functioning of the vehicle

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an apparatus for enhancing the performance of vehicles, and more particularly, to an apparatus for enhancing the performance of vehicles that is capable of stabilizing the voltage of vehicles and of detecting contamination gases in vehicles to inform a driver that the contamination gases are detected and a method thereof.
  • the performance of vehicles is improved by electrical and electronic components such as various sensors for measuring the state of an engine and a circuit that uses the sensors so that the electronic components are highly densified and highly integrated.
  • the power that is supplied to the various electronic components is generated by a battery that can be charged by the operation of a vehicle, a power source for charging the battery, a voltage generator for supplying the voltage that is required for the operation of the vehicle, and a voltage controller for controlling the voltage of the voltage generator to have a level of about maximum 14.7V.
  • the voltage generator uses an electro-magnetic alternator (an electric generator) and applies current to or intercepts flow of current to a rotor coil that is included in the alternator according as the revolution per minute (RPM) of an engine increases to control an output voltage.
  • RPM revolution per minute
  • the quality (stability) of the power that is supplied to the electronic components directly and indirectly affects the performance of the vehicle.
  • the unstable voltage that changes as described above is supplied to the electronic components that are related to the engine of the vehicle, an erroneous operation may be generated and the efficiency of the engine significantly deteriorates.
  • the life span of the electronic components is reduced due to instability in the power.
  • the performance of the battery may be improved to stabilize the voltage.
  • enhancing the performance of the battery is not suitable for the fundamental solution of the above problems.
  • an apparatus for enhancing the performance of vehicles comprising a power source connecting unit for drawing a power source in a vehicle, a voltage measuring unit for measuring the changing voltage level of the power source that is drawn by the power source connecting unit, a voltage controlling unit for increasing or reducing the level of the voltage that is drawn by the power source connecting unit, a voltage generating unit for supplying a power source that is required for an operation, and a microprocessor for controlling the power source connecting unit, the voltage measuring unit, the voltage controlling unit, the sensor unit, and the output unit and for controlling the voltage level that is measured by the voltage measuring unit to be equal to a previously set voltage level.
  • the apparatus for enhancing the performance of vehicles preferably further comprises a sensor unit for measuring gases that are included in the air of a vehicle and the temperature of the inside of the vehicle and an output unit for audibly or visually outputting predetermined information to a driver as a remote signal so that a predetermined measurement value that is measured by the micro-controller through the voltage measuring unit or the sensor unit is output to the driver by the output unit.
  • the power source connecting unit is preferably connected to the Cigar Jack of a vehicle to be attached to and detached from the Cigar Jack of the vehicle.
  • the voltage controlling unit preferably comprises a uniform charge module for increasing the voltage level so that the voltage level is equal to the previously set voltage level when the voltage level that is measured by the voltage measuring unit is no more than a previously set voltage level and a voltage reduction module for reducing the voltage level so that the voltage level is equal to the previously set voltage level when the voltage level that is measured by the voltage measuring unit is no less than a previously set voltage level.
  • the apparatus for enhancing the performance of a vehicle preferably further comprises a key input unit for receiving set information related to the operation of the microprocessor from a driver.
  • the sensor unit preferably comprises a gas sensor module for measuring the concentrations of gases such as oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide that are accumulated in a vehicle and a temperature measuring module for measuring the temperature of the inside of the vehicle.
  • the output unit preferably comprises an audio output module for audibly outputting a predetermined signal that is received from the microprocessor to a driver, a display module for visually outputting the predetermined signal to the driver, a light emitting diode (LED) module that includes a plurality of LEDs, and a remote control module for wirelessly driving an external apparatus.
  • LED light emitting diode
  • FIG 1 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus for enhancing the performance of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • FIGs. 2A to 21 are partial circuit diagrams illustrating the elements of the apparatus for enhancing the performance of a vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the apparatus for enhancing the performance of a vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG 1 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus for enhancing the performance of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIGs. 2 A to 21 are partial circuit diagrams illustrating the elements of the apparatus for enhancing the performance of a vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention.
  • an apparatus 100 for enhancing the performance of a vehicle includes a power source connecting unit 110, a voltage measuring unit 120, a voltage controlling unit 130, a sensor unit 140, a key input unit, an output unit 160, a voltage generating unit 170, and a micro-controller 180.
  • the power source connecting unit 110 is connected to the Cigar Jack provided in the vehicle to be attached to and detached from the Cigar Jack to draw the power source that is supplied to the Cigar Jack.
  • the circuit structure of the apparatus 100 for enhancing the performance of the vehicle is illustrated in the block BIlO of FIG 2 A.
  • the Cigar Jack is connected to the battery and the voltage generator of the vehicle by circuits.
  • the voltage measuring unit 120 detects a change in voltage of the power source connecting unit 110.
  • the voltage measuring unit 120 according to the present invention, as illustrated in the block B 120 of FIG. 2 A, two resistors R23 and Rl 5 are serially connected between the positive line and the ground (GND) of the power source connecting unit 110 and the common connection point of the two resistors R23 and Rl 5, that is, a terminal V_Detect is connected to the micro-controller 180 that will be described later.
  • the voltage in the vehicle changes due to the operation state (revolution per minute (RPM) and a change in power consumption of electronic components) of the vehicle as described above in the range of about 12.8V to 14.7V.
  • the change in the voltage of the power source connecting unit 110 is detected by a voltage distribution circuit using the resistors as illustrated in the block B 120 of FIG 2 A.
  • those skilled in the art may detect the change in the voltage using various circuits unlike in the present embodiment. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the above.
  • the voltage controlling unit 130 controls the voltage that is measured by the voltage measuring unit 120 to be equal to a reference level when the voltage that is measured by the voltage measuring unit 120 is no less than or no more than the reference level.
  • the voltage controlling unit 130 includes a uniform charge module 132 for uniform charging the battery so that the voltage that is measured by the voltage measuring unit 120 is equal to the reference level when the voltage that is measured by the voltage measuring unit 120 is no more than the reference level and a voltage reduction module 134 for reducing the voltage that is measured by the voltage measuring unit 120 so that the voltage that is measured by the voltage measuring unit 120 is equal to the reference level when the voltage that is measured by the voltage measuring unit 120 is no less than the reference level.
  • the uniform charge module 132 and the voltage reduction module 134 are composed of the circuits illustrated in the block B 130 of FIG. 2 A.
  • the voltage reduction module 134 applies a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal to a terminal PWM using a high speed PWM circuit by the control of the micro-controller 180 that will be described later to reduce the measured voltage so that the measured voltage is equal to the reference level.
  • PWM pulse width modulation
  • the uniform charge module 132 increases the measured voltage so that the measured voltage is equal to the reference level by a high frequency and low frequency inverting circuit as illustrated in the block B 130 to stabilize the voltage in the vehicle and to improve the performance of the battery.
  • the above-described voltage reduction module 134 controls the amount of the current to reduce amount of the load that is applied to the engine so that it is possible to reduce the amount of the fuel that is consumed by the engine and to increase the life span of the electronic components of the engine.
  • the PWM circuit that generates the PWM signal may be implemented by a plurality of elements or may be implemented by software having the function of generating the PWM signal.
  • the software is preferably included in the microprocessor 180.
  • the voltage controlling unit 130 may be replaced by various circuits by those skilled in the art like the voltage measuring unit 120. Therefore, it is apparent that the present invention is not limited to the circuits illustrated in the block B 130 of FIG 2A.
  • the sensor unit 140 detects the state of the air in the vehicle, for example, the concentrations of gases such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen and the temperature of the inside of the vehicle.
  • the sensor unit 140 includes a gas sensor module 142 for detecting the concentrations of the gases that are accumulated in the vehicle and a temperature sensor module 144 for detecting the temperature of the inside of the vehicle.
  • the results that are detected by the gas sensor module 142 and the temperature sensor module 144 are transmitted to the microcontroller 180 as predetermined signals.
  • the gas sensor module 142 and the temperature sensor module 144 may be implemented by commonly used various chips as illustrated in FIGs. 2B and 2C and may be implemented by a plurality of discrete elements to perform the same functions.
  • the key input unit 150 transmits predetermined set information that is input by a user as signals to the micro-controller 180 that will be described later.
  • the set information includes the temperature of the inside of the vehicle, the reference concentrations of the gases, and a reference voltage to be detected in accordance with a programmed logic in the micro-controller 180.
  • the key input unit 150 is formed of the circuit illustrated in FIG. 2D.
  • the present invention is not limited to the above.
  • the output unit 160 audibly or visually outputs information (hereinafter, state information) on the states of the vehicle including the concentrations of the gases in the vehicle and the temperature of the inside of the vehicle that are measured by the sensor unit 140 and the value of the voltage that is measured by the voltage measuring unit 120 to the user as remote signals for controlling external apparatuses by the control of the micro-controller 180 that will be described later.
  • state information information on the states of the vehicle including the concentrations of the gases in the vehicle and the temperature of the inside of the vehicle that are measured by the sensor unit 140 and the value of the voltage that is measured by the voltage measuring unit 120 to the user as remote signals for controlling external apparatuses by the control of the micro-controller 180 that will be described later.
  • the output unit 160 includes an audio output module 162 for audibly outputting the state information to the driver (the user), a digital numeric display module 164 for visually displaying the same state information to the driver, a light emitting diode (LED) module 166 including a plurality of LEDs, and a wireless remote control module 168 for controlling the vibration sheet of a driver sheet.
  • the remote control module 168 according to the present invention can wirelessly control the external apparatuses including the vibration sheet of the driver sheet, an air cleaner, and a massage sheet that is similar to the vibration sheet.
  • a predetermined control program be previously set in the micro-controller 180 that will be described later.
  • the audio output module 162, the display module 164, the LED module 166, and the remote control module 168 are composed of the circuits illustrated in FIGs. 2E to 2H.
  • the present invention is not limited to the above.
  • the voltage generating unit 170 supplies the power source that is required for the operations of the voltage controlling unit 130, the sensor unit 140, is an output unit 160, and the micro-controller 180 that will be described later.
  • the voltage generating unit 170 receives the voltage that is output to the secondary side of the transformer Tl that is connected to the voltage controlling unit 130 and converts the received voltage into a predetermined voltage by a regulator U2 to output the converted voltage.
  • the regulator U2 is a commonly used constant voltage regulator of a +5V output, for example, the LM7805 of National Semiconductor.
  • the LM7805 regulator is a TO-220 type three-terminal regulator and includes a voltage input terminal m for receiving a predetermined voltage, an output terminal Out for making the received voltage a constant voltage of +5 V to output the constant voltage, and a ground terminal G
  • a diode D2 for reducing a pulsating voltage Ripple may be connected between the positive output port of the transformer Tl and the input terminal In of the regulator Ul.
  • a capacitor C2 of a predetermined capacity for smoothly operating a regulator U2 may be connected between the input terminal In and the ground terminal G and a capacitor C3 of a predetermined capacity for smoothly outputting the converted voltage may be connected between the ground terminal G and the output terminal Out.
  • a radiating plate for smoothly radiating the heat that is generated during the operation of the regulator U2 is preferably provided in the regulator U2.
  • the voltage generating unit 170 is implemented by the above-described constant voltage regulator U2.
  • the voltage generating unit 170 may be implemented by a discrete circuit that uses a transistor or a field effect transistor (FET) that performs the same function as the function of the regulator U2.
  • FET field effect transistor
  • the micro-controller 180 controls the voltage measuring unit 120, the voltage controlling unit 130, the sensor unit 140, the key input unit 150, and the output unit 160.
  • the function of the micro-controller 180 is similar to or the same as the function of a programmable common controlling unit.
  • the detailed circuit of the micro-controller 180 according to the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 21.
  • the terminals illustrated in FIGs. 2A and 2H are connected to the terminals illustrated in FIG. 21.
  • the user connects the power source connecting unit 110 to the Cigar Jack in the vehicle so that the above-described operations according to the present invention are performed.
  • FIG 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the apparatus for enhancing the performance of a vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention.
  • the micro-controller 180 of the apparatus 100 for enhancing the performance of a vehicle initializes a system (SIlO).
  • the system initializing step is performed when a driver (a user) places a key holder in a power application or starting position in order to start a vehicle after the power source connecting unit 110 is connected to the Cigar Jack as described above.
  • the power source that is required for initializing the micro-controller 180 and for operating the apparatus 100 for enhancing the performance of the vehicle is supplied by the above- described voltage generating unit 170.
  • the micro-controller 180 measures the power (voltage) of the vehicle by the voltage measuring unit 120 (S 120). Measuring the voltage means measuring the charge state of the battery that is provided in the vehicle and the level of the voltage that changes during the operation of the vehicle.
  • the micro-controller 180 determines whether the level of the voltage (voltage measurement value) that is measured by the voltage measuring unit 120 is higher or lower than or equal to a previously set voltage level (S 130). When it is determined in the step S 130 that the voltage measurement value is lower than the previously set voltage level, the micro-controller 180 increases the voltage by the above-described uniform charge control module 132 (S 140). When it is determined in the step S 130 that the voltage measurement value is higher than the previously set voltage level, the micro-controller 180 reduced the voltage by the voltage reduction module 134 (S 150). When it is determined in the step S 130 that the voltage measurement value is equal to the previously set voltage level, the micro-controller 180 measures the concentrations of the gases such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen in the vehicle by the gas sensor module 142 (S 160).
  • the gases such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen in the vehicle by the gas sensor module 142 (S 160).
  • the previously set voltage level is the voltage of the common battery of the vehicle, that is, about +14V and the above- described battery voltage changes in the range of 12.8V to 14.7V in accordance with the RPM of the engine and the power consumption of the electronic components that change before and after starting the vehicle and during the operation of the vehicle.
  • the micro-controller 180 determines whether the concentrations of the gases that are measured in the step S 160 are higher than a previously set gas concentration (S 170).
  • the micro-controller 180 converts the concentrations of the gases into evaluated information, audio information corresponding to the value, or a remote signal so that the driver can recognize the concentrations of the gases to output the conversion result by the output unit 160 that includes the audio output module 162, the display module 164, the LED module 166, and the remote control module 168 (S 180).
  • the evaluated information or audio information is a warning message to be sent to the driver so that the driver can visually or audibly sense the concentrations of the contamination gases that can be hardly sensed such as carbon dioxide and nitrogen and that the driver can open the window of the vehicle to change the air in the vehicle.
  • the signal output to the remote control module 168 is implemented by a predetermined signal that drives the vibration of a driver sheet.
  • the present invention is not limited to the above.
  • the micro-controller 180 measures the temperature of the inside of the vehicle by the temperature sensor module 144 (S 190).
  • the temperature of the inside of the vehicle is measured mainly because the driver becomes drowsy so that the driver cannot safely drive the vehicle when the temperature of the inside of the vehicle increases. Therefore, the micro-controller 180 determines whether the measured temperature is higher than a previously set temperature (S200) to inform the driver of the current temperature and the warning audio information by the output unit 160 (S210) like in the step S 180 when it is determined in the step S200 that the measured temperature is higher than the previously set temperature.
  • the micro-controller 180 measures the voltage level of the battery by the voltage measuring unit 120 (S220) to determine whether the measured voltage level is equal to a previously set voltage level (S230).
  • the micro-controller 180 converts the measured voltage level into evaluated information or outputs warning audio information corresponding to the voltage level by the output unit 160.
  • the micro-controller 180 returns the process to the step S 120.
  • the voltage in the vehicle that changes in accordance with the operation state of the vehicle is stabilized to improve the efficiency of the engine, to secure the stable operation of the electronic components, and to increase the life span of the electronic components. Also, the state in which the contamination gases are accumulated in the vehicle is checked to inform the driver of the same so that the driver can safely drive the vehicle.

Abstract

An apparatus for enhancing the performance of vehicles is provided. The apparatus for enhancing the performance of vehicles includes a power source connecting unit for drawing a power source in a vehicle, a voltage measuring unit for measuring the changing voltage level of the power source that is drawn by the power source connecting unit, a voltage controlling unit for increasing or reducing the level of the voltage that is drawn by the power source connecting unit, a voltage generating unit for supplying a power source that is required for an operation, and a microprocessor for controlling the power source connecting unit, the voltage measuring unit, the voltage controlling unit, the sensor unit, and the output unit and for controlling the voltage level that is measured by the voltage measuring unit to be equal to a previously set voltage level. Therefore, the voltage in the vehicle that changes in accordance with the operation state of the vehicle is stabilized to improve the efficiency of the engine, to secure the stable operation of the electronic components, and to increase the life span of the electronic components. Also, the state in which the contamination gases are accumulated in the vehicle is checked to inform the driver of the same so that the driver can safely drive the vehicle.

Description

APPARATUS FOR ENHANCING THE PERFORMANCE OF VEHICLES
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus for enhancing the performance of vehicles, and more particularly, to an apparatus for enhancing the performance of vehicles that is capable of stabilizing the voltage of vehicles and of detecting contamination gases in vehicles to inform a driver that the contamination gases are detected and a method thereof.
Background Art
Recently, the performance of vehicles is improved by electrical and electronic components such as various sensors for measuring the state of an engine and a circuit that uses the sensors so that the electronic components are highly densified and highly integrated. The power that is supplied to the various electronic components is generated by a battery that can be charged by the operation of a vehicle, a power source for charging the battery, a voltage generator for supplying the voltage that is required for the operation of the vehicle, and a voltage controller for controlling the voltage of the voltage generator to have a level of about maximum 14.7V. In general, the voltage generator uses an electro-magnetic alternator (an electric generator) and applies current to or intercepts flow of current to a rotor coil that is included in the alternator according as the revolution per minute (RPM) of an engine increases to control an output voltage. When the current is applied to the rotor coil of the alternator or the flow of the current to the rotor coil of the alternator is intercepted to generate the voltage, in the principle where a large amount of current (starting current) is consumed when a common motor is started, load corresponding to the starting current is applied to the engine for driving the alternator. The voltage that is generated as described above changes in the range of 12.8V to 14.7V in accordance with the operation state (RPM) during the starting of the vehicle.
As well known, the quality (stability) of the power that is supplied to the electronic components directly and indirectly affects the performance of the vehicle.
For example, the unstable voltage that changes as described above is supplied to the electronic components that are related to the engine of the vehicle, an erroneous operation may be generated and the efficiency of the engine significantly deteriorates.
Also, the life span of the electronic components is reduced due to instability in the power. In order to solve the above problems, the performance of the battery may be improved to stabilize the voltage. However, since the same problems are generated due to the decrepitude of the battery, enhancing the performance of the battery is not suitable for the fundamental solution of the above problems.
On the other hand, during the operation of the vehicle, various contamination gases such as carbon dioxide that a driver cannot easily sense may be accumulated in the vehicle. Therefore, the driver may drive the vehicle in drowsiness or may suffer from gradual dyspnoea so that the driver cannot safely drive the vehicle.
Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for enhancing the performance of vehicles that is capable of checking the amount of consumption of current in accordance with the operation state of the vehicle and a change in a voltage in accordance with the generation of the voltage of an alternator to stabilize the amount of consumption of the current and the voltage and of detecting contamination gases that are accumulated in the vehicle to inform a driver that the contamination gases are detected.
Technical Solution
In order to achieve the foregoing and/or other objects of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for enhancing the performance of vehicles, comprising a power source connecting unit for drawing a power source in a vehicle, a voltage measuring unit for measuring the changing voltage level of the power source that is drawn by the power source connecting unit, a voltage controlling unit for increasing or reducing the level of the voltage that is drawn by the power source connecting unit, a voltage generating unit for supplying a power source that is required for an operation, and a microprocessor for controlling the power source connecting unit, the voltage measuring unit, the voltage controlling unit, the sensor unit, and the output unit and for controlling the voltage level that is measured by the voltage measuring unit to be equal to a previously set voltage level.
The apparatus for enhancing the performance of vehicles preferably further comprises a sensor unit for measuring gases that are included in the air of a vehicle and the temperature of the inside of the vehicle and an output unit for audibly or visually outputting predetermined information to a driver as a remote signal so that a predetermined measurement value that is measured by the micro-controller through the voltage measuring unit or the sensor unit is output to the driver by the output unit.
The power source connecting unit is preferably connected to the Cigar Jack of a vehicle to be attached to and detached from the Cigar Jack of the vehicle.
The voltage controlling unit preferably comprises a uniform charge module for increasing the voltage level so that the voltage level is equal to the previously set voltage level when the voltage level that is measured by the voltage measuring unit is no more than a previously set voltage level and a voltage reduction module for reducing the voltage level so that the voltage level is equal to the previously set voltage level when the voltage level that is measured by the voltage measuring unit is no less than a previously set voltage level.
The apparatus for enhancing the performance of a vehicle preferably further comprises a key input unit for receiving set information related to the operation of the microprocessor from a driver. The sensor unit preferably comprises a gas sensor module for measuring the concentrations of gases such as oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide that are accumulated in a vehicle and a temperature measuring module for measuring the temperature of the inside of the vehicle. The output unit preferably comprises an audio output module for audibly outputting a predetermined signal that is received from the microprocessor to a driver, a display module for visually outputting the predetermined signal to the driver, a light emitting diode (LED) module that includes a plurality of LEDs, and a remote control module for wirelessly driving an external apparatus.
Description of Drawings
These and/or other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which: FIG 1 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus for enhancing the performance of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIGs. 2A to 21 are partial circuit diagrams illustrating the elements of the apparatus for enhancing the performance of a vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the apparatus for enhancing the performance of a vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention.
Best Mode
Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Before describing the present invention in detail, it must be noted that detailed description of the function and structure of the present invention is omitted when it is determined that the same may confuse the subject matter of the present invention. An apparatus for enhancing the performance of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGs. 1 to 21. FIG 1 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus for enhancing the performance of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGs. 2 A to 21 are partial circuit diagrams illustrating the elements of the apparatus for enhancing the performance of a vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, an apparatus 100 for enhancing the performance of a vehicle includes a power source connecting unit 110, a voltage measuring unit 120, a voltage controlling unit 130, a sensor unit 140, a key input unit, an output unit 160, a voltage generating unit 170, and a micro-controller 180. The power source connecting unit 110 is connected to the Cigar Jack provided in the vehicle to be attached to and detached from the Cigar Jack to draw the power source that is supplied to the Cigar Jack. The circuit structure of the apparatus 100 for enhancing the performance of the vehicle is illustrated in the block BIlO of FIG 2 A. The Cigar Jack is connected to the battery and the voltage generator of the vehicle by circuits.
The voltage measuring unit 120 detects a change in voltage of the power source connecting unit 110. In the voltage measuring unit 120 according to the present invention, as illustrated in the block B 120 of FIG. 2 A, two resistors R23 and Rl 5 are serially connected between the positive line and the ground (GND) of the power source connecting unit 110 and the common connection point of the two resistors R23 and Rl 5, that is, a terminal V_Detect is connected to the micro-controller 180 that will be described later. The voltage in the vehicle changes due to the operation state (revolution per minute (RPM) and a change in power consumption of electronic components) of the vehicle as described above in the range of about 12.8V to 14.7V. According to the present embodiment, the change in the voltage of the power source connecting unit 110 is detected by a voltage distribution circuit using the resistors as illustrated in the block B 120 of FIG 2 A. However, those skilled in the art may detect the change in the voltage using various circuits unlike in the present embodiment. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the above.
The voltage controlling unit 130 controls the voltage that is measured by the voltage measuring unit 120 to be equal to a reference level when the voltage that is measured by the voltage measuring unit 120 is no less than or no more than the reference level. To be specific, the voltage controlling unit 130 includes a uniform charge module 132 for uniform charging the battery so that the voltage that is measured by the voltage measuring unit 120 is equal to the reference level when the voltage that is measured by the voltage measuring unit 120 is no more than the reference level and a voltage reduction module 134 for reducing the voltage that is measured by the voltage measuring unit 120 so that the voltage that is measured by the voltage measuring unit 120 is equal to the reference level when the voltage that is measured by the voltage measuring unit 120 is no less than the reference level.
The uniform charge module 132 and the voltage reduction module 134 according to the present invention are composed of the circuits illustrated in the block B 130 of FIG. 2 A. When the measured voltage is no less than the reference level, the voltage reduction module 134 applies a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal to a terminal PWM using a high speed PWM circuit by the control of the micro-controller 180 that will be described later to reduce the measured voltage so that the measured voltage is equal to the reference level. When the measured voltage is no more than the reference level, the uniform charge module 132 increases the measured voltage so that the measured voltage is equal to the reference level by a high frequency and low frequency inverting circuit as illustrated in the block B 130 to stabilize the voltage in the vehicle and to improve the performance of the battery. Therefore, when overload is applied to the engine due to the rotor coil of the voltage generator that instantaneously consumes a large amount of current while being started like a common motor, that is, when the voltage instantaneously increases, the above-described voltage reduction module 134 controls the amount of the current to reduce amount of the load that is applied to the engine so that it is possible to reduce the amount of the fuel that is consumed by the engine and to increase the life span of the electronic components of the engine. The PWM circuit that generates the PWM signal may be implemented by a plurality of elements or may be implemented by software having the function of generating the PWM signal. The software is preferably included in the microprocessor 180. According to the present embodiment, the voltage controlling unit 130 may be replaced by various circuits by those skilled in the art like the voltage measuring unit 120. Therefore, it is apparent that the present invention is not limited to the circuits illustrated in the block B 130 of FIG 2A.
The sensor unit 140 detects the state of the air in the vehicle, for example, the concentrations of gases such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen and the temperature of the inside of the vehicle. To be specific, the sensor unit 140 includes a gas sensor module 142 for detecting the concentrations of the gases that are accumulated in the vehicle and a temperature sensor module 144 for detecting the temperature of the inside of the vehicle. The results that are detected by the gas sensor module 142 and the temperature sensor module 144 are transmitted to the microcontroller 180 as predetermined signals. According to the present embodiment, the gas sensor module 142 and the temperature sensor module 144 may be implemented by commonly used various chips as illustrated in FIGs. 2B and 2C and may be implemented by a plurality of discrete elements to perform the same functions. The key input unit 150 transmits predetermined set information that is input by a user as signals to the micro-controller 180 that will be described later. The set information includes the temperature of the inside of the vehicle, the reference concentrations of the gases, and a reference voltage to be detected in accordance with a programmed logic in the micro-controller 180. According to the present embodiment, the key input unit 150 is formed of the circuit illustrated in FIG. 2D. However, the present invention is not limited to the above.
The output unit 160 audibly or visually outputs information (hereinafter, state information) on the states of the vehicle including the concentrations of the gases in the vehicle and the temperature of the inside of the vehicle that are measured by the sensor unit 140 and the value of the voltage that is measured by the voltage measuring unit 120 to the user as remote signals for controlling external apparatuses by the control of the micro-controller 180 that will be described later. To be specific, the output unit 160 according to the present invention includes an audio output module 162 for audibly outputting the state information to the driver (the user), a digital numeric display module 164 for visually displaying the same state information to the driver, a light emitting diode (LED) module 166 including a plurality of LEDs, and a wireless remote control module 168 for controlling the vibration sheet of a driver sheet. The remote control module 168 according to the present invention can wirelessly control the external apparatuses including the vibration sheet of the driver sheet, an air cleaner, and a massage sheet that is similar to the vibration sheet. In order to control the external apparatuses, it is preferable that a predetermined control program be previously set in the micro-controller 180 that will be described later. According to the present embodiment, the audio output module 162, the display module 164, the LED module 166, and the remote control module 168 are composed of the circuits illustrated in FIGs. 2E to 2H. However, the present invention is not limited to the above.
The voltage generating unit 170 supplies the power source that is required for the operations of the voltage controlling unit 130, the sensor unit 140, is an output unit 160, and the micro-controller 180 that will be described later. To be specific, as illustrated in the block B 170 of FIG 2 A, the voltage generating unit 170 receives the voltage that is output to the secondary side of the transformer Tl that is connected to the voltage controlling unit 130 and converts the received voltage into a predetermined voltage by a regulator U2 to output the converted voltage. The regulator U2 is a commonly used constant voltage regulator of a +5V output, for example, the LM7805 of National Semiconductor. As well known, the LM7805 regulator is a TO-220 type three-terminal regulator and includes a voltage input terminal m for receiving a predetermined voltage, an output terminal Out for making the received voltage a constant voltage of +5 V to output the constant voltage, and a ground terminal G
As illustrated in the block B 170 of FIG 2 A, a diode D2 for reducing a pulsating voltage Ripple may be connected between the positive output port of the transformer Tl and the input terminal In of the regulator Ul. A capacitor C2 of a predetermined capacity for smoothly operating a regulator U2 may be connected between the input terminal In and the ground terminal G and a capacitor C3 of a predetermined capacity for smoothly outputting the converted voltage may be connected between the ground terminal G and the output terminal Out. A radiating plate for smoothly radiating the heat that is generated during the operation of the regulator U2 is preferably provided in the regulator U2.
According to the present embodiment, the voltage generating unit 170 is implemented by the above-described constant voltage regulator U2. However, as well known, the voltage generating unit 170 may be implemented by a discrete circuit that uses a transistor or a field effect transistor (FET) that performs the same function as the function of the regulator U2.
As described above, the micro-controller 180 controls the voltage measuring unit 120, the voltage controlling unit 130, the sensor unit 140, the key input unit 150, and the output unit 160. As well known, the function of the micro-controller 180 is similar to or the same as the function of a programmable common controlling unit. The detailed circuit of the micro-controller 180 according to the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 21. The terminals illustrated in FIGs. 2A and 2H are connected to the terminals illustrated in FIG. 21.
According to the apparatus 100 for enhancing the performance of the vehicle, the user connects the power source connecting unit 110 to the Cigar Jack in the vehicle so that the above-described operations according to the present invention are performed.
It is apparent not only the external apparatus but also a built-in apparatus that is inserted into the vehicle in the form of a module can be used.
The detailed operation of the apparatus 100 for enhancing the performance of the vehicle having the above structure will be described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the apparatus for enhancing the performance of a vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention.
First, the micro-controller 180 of the apparatus 100 for enhancing the performance of a vehicle according to the present invention initializes a system (SIlO). The system initializing step is performed when a driver (a user) places a key holder in a power application or starting position in order to start a vehicle after the power source connecting unit 110 is connected to the Cigar Jack as described above. The power source that is required for initializing the micro-controller 180 and for operating the apparatus 100 for enhancing the performance of the vehicle is supplied by the above- described voltage generating unit 170. After the above-described initialization step (SIlO) is performed, the micro-controller 180 measures the power (voltage) of the vehicle by the voltage measuring unit 120 (S 120). Measuring the voltage means measuring the charge state of the battery that is provided in the vehicle and the level of the voltage that changes during the operation of the vehicle.
Then, the micro-controller 180 determines whether the level of the voltage (voltage measurement value) that is measured by the voltage measuring unit 120 is higher or lower than or equal to a previously set voltage level (S 130). When it is determined in the step S 130 that the voltage measurement value is lower than the previously set voltage level, the micro-controller 180 increases the voltage by the above-described uniform charge control module 132 (S 140). When it is determined in the step S 130 that the voltage measurement value is higher than the previously set voltage level, the micro-controller 180 reduced the voltage by the voltage reduction module 134 (S 150). When it is determined in the step S 130 that the voltage measurement value is equal to the previously set voltage level, the micro-controller 180 measures the concentrations of the gases such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen in the vehicle by the gas sensor module 142 (S 160).
According to the present embodiment, the previously set voltage level is the voltage of the common battery of the vehicle, that is, about +14V and the above- described battery voltage changes in the range of 12.8V to 14.7V in accordance with the RPM of the engine and the power consumption of the electronic components that change before and after starting the vehicle and during the operation of the vehicle. The micro-controller 180 determines whether the concentrations of the gases that are measured in the step S 160 are higher than a previously set gas concentration (S 170). When it is determined in the step S 170 that the concentrations of the gases are higher than the previously set gas concentration, the micro-controller 180 converts the concentrations of the gases into evaluated information, audio information corresponding to the value, or a remote signal so that the driver can recognize the concentrations of the gases to output the conversion result by the output unit 160 that includes the audio output module 162, the display module 164, the LED module 166, and the remote control module 168 (S 180). The evaluated information or audio information is a warning message to be sent to the driver so that the driver can visually or audibly sense the concentrations of the contamination gases that can be hardly sensed such as carbon dioxide and nitrogen and that the driver can open the window of the vehicle to change the air in the vehicle. Also, it is possible to prevent the driver from driving the vehicle in drowsiness and from suffering from gradual dyspnoea due to the contamination gases so that the driver can safely drive the vehicle. According to the present embodiment, the signal output to the remote control module 168 is implemented by a predetermined signal that drives the vibration of a driver sheet. However, the present invention is not limited to the above.
Next, when it is determined in the step S 170 that the concentrations of the gases are lower than the previously set gas concentration, that is, that the concentrations of the gases are normal, the micro-controller 180 measures the temperature of the inside of the vehicle by the temperature sensor module 144 (S 190). The temperature of the inside of the vehicle is measured mainly because the driver becomes drowsy so that the driver cannot safely drive the vehicle when the temperature of the inside of the vehicle increases. Therefore, the micro-controller 180 determines whether the measured temperature is higher than a previously set temperature (S200) to inform the driver of the current temperature and the warning audio information by the output unit 160 (S210) like in the step S 180 when it is determined in the step S200 that the measured temperature is higher than the previously set temperature.
When it is determined in the step S200 that the measured temperature is lower than the previously set temperature, the micro-controller 180 measures the voltage level of the battery by the voltage measuring unit 120 (S220) to determine whether the measured voltage level is equal to a previously set voltage level (S230). When it is determined in the step S230 that the measured voltage level of the battery is not equal to the previously set voltage level, that is, that the measured voltage level of the battery is not normal, the micro-controller 180 converts the measured voltage level into evaluated information or outputs warning audio information corresponding to the voltage level by the output unit 160. When it is determined in the step S230 that the measured voltage level of the battery is normal, the micro-controller 180 returns the process to the step S 120. According to the present embodiment, since those skilled in the art can easily insert the series of steps (S220, S230, and S240) between the steps S 130 to S 150, it is apparent that the present invention is not limited to the above order in which the steps are performed. While this invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
Industrial Applicability
According to the present invention, the voltage in the vehicle that changes in accordance with the operation state of the vehicle is stabilized to improve the efficiency of the engine, to secure the stable operation of the electronic components, and to increase the life span of the electronic components. Also, the state in which the contamination gases are accumulated in the vehicle is checked to inform the driver of the same so that the driver can safely drive the vehicle.

Claims

Claims
1. An apparatus for enhancing the performance of vehicles, comprising: a power source connecting unit for drawing a power source in a vehicle; a voltage measuring unit for measuring the changing voltage level of the power source that is drawn by the power source connecting unit; a voltage controlling unit for increasing or reducing the level of the voltage that is drawn by the power source connecting unit; a voltage generating unit for supplying a power source that is required for an operation; and a microprocessor for controlling the power source connecting unit, the voltage measuring unit, the voltage controlling unit, the sensor unit, and the output unit and for controlling the voltage level that is measured by the voltage measuring unit to be equal to a previously set voltage level.
2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a sensor unit for measuring gases that are included in the air of a vehicle and the temperature of the inside of the vehicle; and an output unit for audibly or visually outputting predetermined information to a driver as a remote signal, wherein a predetermined measurement value that is measured by the microcontroller through the voltage measuring unit or the sensor unit is output to the driver by the output unit.
3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the power source connecting unit is connected to the Cigar Jack of a vehicle to be attached to and detached from the
Cigar Jack of the vehicle.
4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the voltage controlling unit comprises: a uniform charge module for increasing the voltage level so that the voltage level is equal to the previously set voltage level when the voltage level that is measured by the voltage measuring unit is no more than a previously set voltage level; and a voltage reduction module for reducing the voltage level so that the voltage level is equal to the previously set voltage level when the voltage level that is measured by the voltage measuring unit is no less than a previously set voltage level.
5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a key input unit for receiving set information related to the operation of the microprocessor from a driver.
6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the sensor unit comprises: a gas sensor module for measuring the concentrations of gases such as oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide that are accumulated in a vehicle; and a temperature measuring module for measuring the temperature of the inside of the vehicle.
7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the output unit comprises: an audio output module for audibly outputting a predetermined signal that is received from the microprocessor to a driver; a display module for visually outputting the predetermined signal to the driver; a light emitting diode (LED) module that includes a plurality of LEDs; and a remote control module for wirelessly driving an external apparatus.
PCT/KR2006/001278 2005-04-11 2006-04-07 Apparatus for enhancing the performance of vehicles WO2006109958A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
KR1020050029815A KR100610552B1 (en) 2005-04-11 2005-04-11 Apparatus for enhancing the performance of vehicles
KR20-2005-0009814U KR200389549Y1 (en) 2005-04-11 2005-04-11 Apparatus for enhancing the performance of vehicles
KR20-2005-0009814 2005-04-11
KR10-2005-0029815 2005-04-11

Publications (1)

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WO2006109958A1 true WO2006109958A1 (en) 2006-10-19

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Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4985671A (en) * 1988-01-20 1991-01-15 Saint Gobain Vitrage Power supply circuit for a motor vehicle with two load voltages
JPH03262757A (en) * 1990-03-14 1991-11-22 Nippondenso Co Ltd Vehicle control device with power source abnormality avoiding function
JPH05139150A (en) * 1991-11-18 1993-06-08 Toshiba Corp Air conditioner operating device for electric automobile
JPH09285035A (en) * 1996-04-18 1997-10-31 Mitsuba Corp Charging-voltage controlling circuit for car
KR19980054716A (en) * 1996-12-27 1998-09-25 임경춘 Battery charging circuit and method of vehicle
KR200211531Y1 (en) * 2000-08-29 2001-01-15 주식회사캠테크 Constant voltage-power supply for the automobile
US20040158379A1 (en) * 2002-12-16 2004-08-12 Mirko Horbaschek Distributed control unit

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4985671A (en) * 1988-01-20 1991-01-15 Saint Gobain Vitrage Power supply circuit for a motor vehicle with two load voltages
JPH03262757A (en) * 1990-03-14 1991-11-22 Nippondenso Co Ltd Vehicle control device with power source abnormality avoiding function
JPH05139150A (en) * 1991-11-18 1993-06-08 Toshiba Corp Air conditioner operating device for electric automobile
JPH09285035A (en) * 1996-04-18 1997-10-31 Mitsuba Corp Charging-voltage controlling circuit for car
KR19980054716A (en) * 1996-12-27 1998-09-25 임경춘 Battery charging circuit and method of vehicle
KR200211531Y1 (en) * 2000-08-29 2001-01-15 주식회사캠테크 Constant voltage-power supply for the automobile
US20040158379A1 (en) * 2002-12-16 2004-08-12 Mirko Horbaschek Distributed control unit

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