Claims:We claim:
1. An actuating assembly (110) for a priming pump (104) in a vehicle (100), said priming pump (104) comprises a plunger (102) manually operable in reciprocating manner, said actuating assembly (110) comprises,
an actuator (108) coupled to said plunger (102), said actuator (108) operable from within a cabin (112) of said vehicle (100).

2. The actuating assembly (110) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said actuator (108) comprises mechanical linkage coupled to said plunger (102), said mechanical linkage actuated by an element (106) which is operable by hand.

3. The actuating assembly (110) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said actuator (108) comprises mechanical linkage coupled to said plunger (102), said mechanical linkage actuated by an element (106) which is operable by foot.

4. The actuating assembly (110) as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein said mechanical linkages is a parallel motion linkage (120).

5. The actuating assembly (110) as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein said element (106) is any one of a lever and a pedal.

6. The actuating assembly (110) as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein said mechanical linkage is formed by combination of at least two selected from a group comprising at least one rod, at least one bar and at least one cable.

7. The actuating assembly (110) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said actuator (108) comprises any one of a hydraulic unit and a pneumatic unit.

8. The actuating assembly (110) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said actuator (108) comprises an electric motor operable by activation of a switch in a dashboard of said vehicle (100).

9. The actuating assembly (110) as claimed in claim 1, wherein an indication to stop priming is displayed on a dashboard of said vehicle (100).

10. The actuating assembly (110) as claimed in claim 9, wherein said indication is timer based, wherein said timing is triggered by an operation of a lever.
, Description:Complete Specification:
The following specification describes and ascertains the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:

Field of the invention:
[0001] The present invention relates to an actuating assembly for a priming pump in a vehicle.

Background of the invention:
[0002] Presently priming in common rail system is done by hands which is very tedious/uncomfortable job for driver/mechanic for deflating the fuel supply system. Several time it’s been observed that duration of hand priming depends on the individual, therefore proper deflation of the fuel supply system cannot be achieved and hence several engine starting issues are reported.

[0003] A prior art from the similar domain is provided for reference. According to a prior art US6019890, a fuel filter with hand primer is disclosed. A fuel filter assembly employs a hand primer and a disposable filter cartridge mounted to a header. The filter cartridge has a filter element which defines an interior chamber for receiving the filtered fuel. The hand primer includes a diaphragm which cooperates with the header to define a reservoir and a valve plate having a plurality of orifices and an axial opening for providing fluid communication between an exit passage of the header and the reservoir and between the chamber and the reservoir, respectively. A first check valve is mounted in the opening and a second check valve is mounted in an axial bore in the first check valve. The first and second check valves are moveable between an open position for allowing flow through the orifices of the valve plate and orifices in the first check valve, respectively, and a closed position for preventing such flow. The filter assembly is primed by pushing the diaphragm downwards, creating a high pressure which moves the first check valve to the open position and the second check valve to the closed position, causing trapped air to be expelled through the orifices and the exit passage. Removing the downwards force allows a spring to return to bias the diaphragm upwards, creating a low pressure which moves the first check valve to the closed position and the second check valve to the open position, and drawing fuel from the interior chamber.

Brief description of the accompanying drawings:
[0004] An embodiment of the disclosure is described with reference to the following accompanying drawing,
[0005] Fig. 1 illustrates a vehicle with an actuating assembly for a priming pump, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed description of the embodiments:
[0006] Fig. 1 illustrates a vehicle with an actuating assembly for a priming pump, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The priming pump 104 comprises a plunger 102 manually operable in reciprocating manner. The actuating assembly 110 comprises, an actuator 108 coupled to the plunger 102. The actuator 108 operable from within a cabin 112 of the vehicle 100.

[0007] In an embodiment, the actuator 108 comprises mechanical linkage(s) coupled to the plunger 102. The mechanical linkage actuated by an element 106 which is operable by hand. In another embodiment, the actuator 108 comprises mechanical linkage(s) coupled to the plunger 102. The mechanical linkage actuated by the element 106 which is operable by foot. The element 106 is any one of a lever and a pedal.

[0008] In another embodiment, the mechanical linkage is formed by combination of at least two selected from a group comprising at least one rod, at least one bar and at least one cable. The components used for forming the mechanical linkage such as screws, bolt, pivots springs etc. are not shown as being common for a person skilled in the art. In an example, the mechanical linkages is a parallel motion linkage 120. The parallel motion linkage 120 comprises the element 106 connected to a first bar 114. The first bar 114 is movably pivoted 122 with an end of a second bar 118, which is fixedly pivoted 116 at center. Another end of the second bar 118 is movably pivoted 122 with a third bar 124, which in turn is movable pivoted 122 with a fourth bar 126. The fourth bar 126 is fixedly pivoted 116 at a center and is parallel to the second bar 118. An end of the fourth bar 126 is then movably pivoted 122 to the fifth bar 128 which is coupled to the plunger 102. A press and release movement of the element 106, imparts reciprocating movement to the plunger 102.

[0009] In yet another embodiment, the actuator 108 comprises any one of a hydraulic unit and a pneumatic unit, which are again actuated by a lever, pedal or a switch within the cabin 112.

[0010] In yet another embodiment, the actuator 108 comprises an electric motor operable by activation of the switch in a dashboard of the vehicle 100.

[0011] When a need for priming is determined by an operator/driver, the operator actuates the actuator 108 by the element 106 or the switch. Once the element 106 is operated, a sensor detects the operation and signals an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) to start a timer. The completion of timer is displayed in a visual or audible manner, upon which the operator stops the priming operation and the engine is ready for start. In the case of electric motor, the ECU automatically starts and stops the priming.

[0012] An example of working of the present invention is disclosed. The operator sits in the driver’s seat, and then pushes the priming element 106. The sensor in the element 106 is connected with the ECU. The movement of the element 106 is detected by the ECU through the sensor, and starts the timer on the dashboard, such as say one minutes (calibrated based on requirement). After the time is over, the ECU sends a signal to stop, which is indicated through audio (such as alarm), visual (such as light) and a haptic means (such as vibration) as known in the art.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the actuating assembly 110 provides more comfortable method of priming with controlled mechanism. For example, the element 106 is a pedal provided at footrest position of the driver (besides an accelerator pedal). A sensor of the element 106 is connected with the ECU and the existing priming plunger 102 mounted on a fuel filter or other location. To achieve proper deflation/purging/priming, timing is displayed by the ECU on the dashboard. The actuating assembly 110 enables the operator/driver to perform the priming operation by legs or hands while sitting in the seat comfortably. In simple words, the present invention provides ease of operation, better control of priming, and increases efficiency.

[0014] It should be understood that embodiments explained in the description above are only illustrative and do not limit the scope of this invention. Many such embodiments and other modifications and changes in the embodiment explained in the description are envisaged. The scope of the invention is only limited by the scope of the claims.