This invention relates to a multifunctional electronic control device for a motor vehicle.

The multiple functions provided in a single unit incorporated in the motor vehicle will be of considerable utilitarian value and benefit, particularly, in three wheeler and other vehicles to which this invention will have application.

The salient benefits accruing from this invention are:

Ignition timing for bi-fuel operation currently being used are different and employ two separate control units. In this invention it is possible to use a single unit which is optimal for both petrol and gas modes.

Presently there is a isafety unit which is mounted in the vehicle by fastening means through a bracket. Integrated with the microprocessor controller this invention will eliminate separate cable, wiring harness.

This invention can be standardised with one
microprocessor unit for both petrol and bi-fuel vehicle thereby reducing inventory.

The device proposed herein will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, and not by way of ous possible embodiments of this
limitation, one of var invention.

The said device incorporates a microprocessor M and a throttle position sensor T. The microprocessor M selects the ignition-timing curve according to the throttle position as determined by the sensor T. A fuel changeover switch is provided for changing over to
the type of fuel used by a particular vehicle, such as,petrol or gas. The said switch will be used to switch over to various timing curves according to the type of fuel and vehicle speed. The microprocessor is connected to the ignition coil C of the vehicle and the latter generates a)spark at specified intervals as determined by the appropriate ignition microprocessor, by selecting the timing depending upon vehicle
operation parameters stated above.

The device proposed herein provides the gas solenoid S of the gigs fuel supply (where the vehicle runs on gas) with a control which causes the said solenoid to be driven only for predetermined intervals of time. Normally the gas solenoid will be kept ON for 2-3 seconds before the engine is cranking and will be continuously ON while the engine is running. This feature is very important from the point of view of safety. Take, for instance, a case where the fuel line gets cut, with the ignition switch ON, and the fuel flooding the hot engine compartment, resulting in a hazardous situation.

The device proposed herein is operable from a power economy mode unit! This function is to caution the driver about the operating zone of the vehicle to get the optimum benefit of less fuel consumption. The throttle position is fed to the microprocessor M from the throttle position sensor T, the said microprocessor then determining whether or not the driver is driving the vehicle in the power economy zone. The microprocessor output is displayed on the speedometer dial of the vehicle by a tell tale symbol indicating whether or not the driver is driving in power-economy mode.

The said device has a power mode operating unit. This unit has the ignition curve tuned to get the best torque and power arid also avoids knocking in the full throttle operation. In other words, a power mode operating unit having an ignition curve read by the microprocessor to indicate the optimum torque and power and avoid knocking in full throttle operation.

The power mode operating unit has the further advantage of runnng the engine of the vehicle optimally for part as well as full throttle operation.

The device proposed herein also consists of a cut-off unit V connected to the microprocessor M. When the sensor T signals the microprocessor M that the engine is running, the latter disconnects the electric start - ignition circuit, to prevent the starter being
activated while the engine is running. This
microprocessor, however, will not disconnect the said circuit while the engine is idling, that is, around 800 RPM.

The device has a starter relay timer which limits the starting time through starter relay. Normally the ii starter timer will be sbt between 3 and 5 seconds ON and OFF. This is to avoid the possibility of over heating of starter motor and hence failure in the event of continuous operation.

A low lubrication oil pressure switch is incorporated to indicate the oil pressure of lubrication oil inside the oil sump of the vehicle. The operating range for the same will fall in between 0.4 to 0.7 bar. If the pressure is lower than the specified value, it indicates the inadequacy of lubrication oil for the engine, which may result in engine seizure. The microprocessor M senses the output pressure of lubrication oil pressure through oil pressure switch, and will retard the engine to caution the driver at a specified interval. The microprocessor will also stop the engine after a specified period of time, to give the user a final opportunity to replenish the oil sump.

The said device sets the choke timing according to the bulk temperature in the engine compartment. The input to the microprocessor is from a temperature sensor unit, mounted in the engine bulk area. According to the fuel used (gasoline or other) and to the temperature of the engine bulk area, the choke timing can be set. Normally for a typical gasoline engine at ambient temperature the choke timing will be "Zero" and for a non-gasoline engine it may differ between 3 to 5 seconds. The choke timing will be set according to temperature performance of the engine. This feature will eliminate manual intervention and will be controlled electronically, thereby eliminating the need for switch and cables.

The device incorporates a unit which sets the cooling fan to ON / OFF condition according to the bulk temperature in the engine compartment. The input for the same to the microprocessor is from a temperature sensor unit (same as the one in the temperature controller choke function) mounted in the engine bulk area. According to the temperature of engine bulk area, the microprocessor will keep the cooling fan either in ON or OFF condition.

The said microprocessor will turn the cooling fan ON continuously for a predetermined interval of time -say, 1 minute, after switching off the ignition. This is to bring down the jtemperature of the bulk area, so that by the time the customer opens the engine compartment the temperature will have come down significantly.

The device proposed herein is particularly suitable for all 2 and 3 wheeler motor vehicles irrespective of 2 stroke or 4 stroke operation. Equally so, for both petrol and gas vehicles.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that various other embodiments of this invention are possible without departing Jfrom the scope and ambit of this invention.

We Claim:

1. An intelligent device for a multifunctional electronic control determined by motor vehicle incorporating a microprocessor and a throttle position sensor, the microprocessor selecting the ignition-timing curve according to the throttle position as the sensor; a fuel changeover switch for changing over to the type of fuel used and to various timing curves according to the type of fuel and vehicle speed, said microrocessor being connected to the ignition coil of the vehicle whereby the latter generates a spark at specified intervals as determined by the microprocessor; a gas solenoid control which causes the said solenoid to be driven only for predetermined intervals of time; a power economy mode unit, for feeding the throttle position to the microprocessor from the throttle position sensor, the microprocessor output being displayed on the speedometer dial of the mode; a powe ignition curve vehicle by a tell tale symbol indicating whether or not the driver is driving in power-economy mode; a power mode operating unit having an read by the microprocessor to indicate the optimum torque and power and avoid knocking in full throttle operation; a cut-off unit connected to the microprocessor, such that when the sensor signals the microprocessor that the engine is running, the latter disconnects the electric start - ignition circuit, the microprocessor however,not disconnecting the said circuit while the engine is idling; a starter relay timer for limiting the starting time through starter relay; a low lubrication oil pressure switch
to indicate the oil pressure of lubrication oil inside the oil sump of the vehicle, such that if the pressure is lower than a predetermined value, it indicates the inadequacy of lubrication oil for the engine, the microprocessor sensing the output pressure of lubrication oil pressure through oil
pressure switch, retarding the engine to caution the driver after a predetermined interval, the microprocessor also stopping the engine after a predetermined interval of time to give the user a finala opportunity to replenish the oil sump; a choke whose timint is set according to the bulk temperature in the engine compartment, the input to the microprosser being from a temperature sensor unit, mounted in the engine bulk area; a cooling fan unit for setting the colling fan to ON/OFF condition according to the bulk temperature in the engine compartment, the input to the microprocessor being from the aforesaid temperature sensor unit mounted in the engine bulk area, the microprocessor keeping the cooling fan in the ON or OFF condition according to the temperature of the engine bulk area.

2. An intelligent multifunctional electronic control device for a motor vehicle substantially as herein described with reference to, and as illustrated in,the accompanying drawings.