FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to a temperature sensing device such as a
thermistor in automobiles and more particularly to the temperature sensing device
suited in detecting the temperature of the e-rickshaw.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• The statements in this section merely provide background information related
to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art(s).
In a general trend, the automotive vehicles, running on gasoline fuel, are
being transformed either to hybrid vehicles or vehicles that can run on renewable
sources of energy or electric power sources of energy such as batteries. These electric
power based vehicles are low in an amount of an exhaust gas and good in fuel
consumption. For instance, a lithium ion battery is widely used as a leading power
source in e-rickshaws considering the high energy density of these lithium ion
batteries. These batteries may get burst due to the excessive heat produced in the erickshaw
due to the high temperature inside and around the batteries. In other words,
heat is the killer of all the components of the e-rickshaw in an environment where
heat cannot be avoided. As a guideline, each 8°C (15°F) raise in temperature cuts the
life of a sealed lead acid battery in half. A Valve regulated Lead Acid battery for
stationary applications that will last 10 years at 25°C (77°F) would only live five
years if operated at 33°C (92°F). Additionally, there are other parameters also that
can raise the temperature of the e-rickshaw as well.
Various automatic and manual attempts have been made to catch or reduce the
heat generated in the battery so as to safeguard the lives of the e-rickshaw and the
surrounding keeping in the mind the necessities of the present market. However, the
concepts could not be commercially accepted due to some drawbacks such as
complexities involved, less efficiency, non-reliability, robustness, extensive
manufacturing cost, and the like. The same applicant has earlier filed a patent
application also claiming a battery temperature warning indicator for automotive
vehicles. Nevertheless, the said battery temperature warning indicator could only
indicate the level of the heat generated within the battery and not the e-rickshaw as a
whole.
Hence, there is an urgent need for an automatic mechanism/device to sense
and indicate the heat up state of the vehicles such as e-rickshaws without losing the
basic requirements of reliability, safety, less cost, customers' satisfaction and the like.
BRIEF SUMMARY AND OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION
The present subject matter relates to a temperature sensing device fitted in
automotive vehicles that comprises of a battery operating with an electronic circuit
structure wherein the electronic circuit structure includes a thermistor positioned
beside an electrical controller to sense the internal temperature of the electrical
controller. The thermistor generates analog input signals in terms of thermistor
resistance corresponding to the sensed temperature which are conveyed to a
microcontroller provided to receive and compare the electrical signal to a reference
voltage via an interphase circuit to accordingly operate * the e-rickshaw and
subsequently to trigger the warning indicator of the heat rise indicator via a light
emitting diode provided in a vehicle information display instrument of the vehicle.
An object of the present subject matter is to provide the chassis supported on
an axle which is supported on the rear wheels mounted rotatably on a rear shaft of the
e-rickshaw.
An object of the present subject matter is to power the e-rickshaw with
plurality of LEAD acid batteries placed in atleast one battery container.
An object of the present subject matter is to provide the e-rickshaw with the
vehicle information display instrument located between the handle bars of the erickshaw.
An object of the present subject matter is to enable the e-rickshaw with brake
means mounted on the rear wheel axle to stop the e-rickshaw as and when required.
3
B I 8 6 - - B l - 2 0 1 7 1 S : 2 5 - . ..
Another object of the present subject matter is to enable the e-rickshaw with a
first-aid box and a fire-extinguisher.
Another object of the present subject matter is to govern, the operation of the
indication of battery temperature by the electronic circuit structure.
Another object of the present subject matter is to replace, the thermistor by any
other temperature sensing device, such as but not restricted to, temperature sensing
ICs, resistance temperature detector (RTD), thermostat, and the like.
Yet another objective of the present subject matter is to register the
temperature of the inside temperature of the electrical controller by the thermistor
corresponding to thermistor's resistance.
Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide an easy, compact,
less costly and advanced vehicle information display instrument wherein the
visual/audible warning of the battery temperature can be indicated.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The summary narrated above and the following detailed description of the
invention can be understood with the drawings appended to this claim. The
illustrations provide the details of the invention. However, it should be understood
that the invention is not limited to the arrangements shown. In the drawings:
FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an e-rickshaw in an embodiment of the present
subject matter
FIG. 2 illustrates a cross sectional view of a controller in an embodiment of the
present subject matter.
FIG. 3 illustrates an electronic circuit structure provided to govern and control the
operation of thermistor based sensing of rise.in temperature of the electrical controller.
4
D E L H I G B - Q X - 2 G 1 7 15 :'2:3-
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The embodiments of the present subject matter are described in detail with
reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present subject matter is not
limited to these embodiments which are only provided to explain more clearly the
present subject matter to the ordinarily skilled in the art of the present disclosure. In
the accompanying drawings, like reference alphabets and numerals are used to
indicate like components. The drawings are not necessarily drawn to the scale, and in
some instances the drawings have been exaggerated and/or simplified in places for
illustrative purposes only.
The present invention relates to a temperature sensing device such as a
thermistor in automobiles and more particularly to the temperature sensing device
suited in detecting the temperature of the e-rickshaw. The following description is
merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure,
application, or uses. The present invention will hereinafter be described in detail
below as applied to an e-rickshaw. However, the principles of the present invention
are also applicable to other vehicles such as two wheelers, four wheelers, and the like.
Upward, lower, front and rear directions (see the directions indicated by the arrows in
FIG. 1) will be described with respect to directions as seated by the rider on the erickshaw.
FIG, 1 illustrates a perspective view of the e-rickshaw 100 in an accordance
with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The e-rickshaw 100 include a
chassis 102 supported on an axle hold on the rear wheels 106 mounted rotatably on a
rear shaft 108 of the e-rickshaw 100. In an embodiment of the present subject matter,
the e-rickshaw 100 is economically provided with a seat 110 mounted on a battery
container 112 placed above a floor 114 provided with the e-rickshaw 100. The battery .
container 112 is positioned at the floor 114 on the rear portion of the chassis 102 of
the e-rickshaw 100. The e-rickshaw 100 is further provided with a front wheel 124
supported on a front end of a frame 116, in an embodiment of the present subject
matter. The e-rickshaw 100 is equipped with a switch (not shown) on its handlebar
E L B X O S - Q I - 2 0 1 7 15 : 2 3
118 to control an electric motor (not shown) provided with the e-rickshaw 100. The
e-rickshaw 100 is generally powered by pluralities of LEAD acid batteries 120 placed
in the battery container 112, as shown in FIG. 1, to provide electrical energy to the
electric motor. The e-rickshaw 100 is also structured with the vehicle information
display instrument 122 (also known as a speedometer) located between the handle
bars of the e-rickshaw 100. The vehicle information display instrument 122 may be
viewable by the rider of the e-rickshaw 100 when the rider is seated on the seat 110
and operating the vehicle 100. The vehicle information display instrument 122 may
be disposed generally in front of the rider so that the rider can inspect or view a
variety of information that form part of the vehicle information display instrument
122, which information may indicate an operating condition or conditions of the
vehicle 100. The vehicle information display instrument 122 may be provided with
audio/visual warning indicators comprising information such as speed, the fuel level,
telephone, bluetooth, rpm of the engine, tell tale symbols, turn signal indicator,
hazard warning indicator and/or other indicators. Further, the e-rickshaw 100 is hold
by a brake means such as brake rod 104 mounted on the rear wheel axle to stop the erickshaw
100 as and when required. Also, a brake lever is provided with the handle of
the rickshaw 100 to actuate the brake means as required. Additionally, the e-rickshaw
100 is also provided with a first-aid box (not shown) and a fire extinguisher (not
shown).
FIG. 2 illustrates a cross sectional view of an electric controller 200 in an
embodiment of the present subject matter. The electric controller 200 is located
beneath the seat assembly in an embodiment of the present subject matter. The
electric controller 200 is provided to efficiently regulates the speed and electronic
functions of the e-rickshaw 100. Further, it allows for stepless speed adjustment, shut
off the motor when the brakes are activated, has low voltage protection and has fuses
to prevent excess current from damaging the overall system of the e-rickshaw 100.
Structurally, the electric controller 200 comprises a printed circuit board 202
encompassed within a compartment 204 as shown in FIG. 2. In an embodiment of the
present subject matter, the printed circuit board 202 mechanically holds and
6
B E L H I &&• - 0 1 - 2 0 1 7 1 5 : 2 5
electrically supports a heat sink controller 206 provided to control the temperature of
the electric controller 200. In another embodiment of the present subject matter, the
heat sink controller 200 is mechanically held by fastening means such as screws 208,
fasteners, and the like. In a unique embodiment of the present subject matter, the
electric controller 200 is advantageously provided with a thermistor 210 which is a
temperature based resistor that precisely sense the rise in the internal temperature of
the e-rickshaw 100. The presence of thermistor 210 controls and protect the inrush
overvoltage and overcurrent conditions into an electric circuit structure 212 of the erickshaw
100. In an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter, this
thermistor 210 is positioned beside the heat sink controller 206 (as shown in FIG. 2)
in an attempt to tap the rising temperature inside the electrical controller 200 to
safeguard the e-rickshaw 100. In another embodiment of the present subject matter,
the thermistor 210 may also be positioned beneath, around or similar position
proximate to the heat sink controller 206. In an embodiment of the present subject
matter, the electrical controller 200 is also provided with gaskets 214 and end plates
216 screwed on both opposite ends of the compartment 204 as shown in FIG. 2.
FIG. 3 discloses the electronic circuit structure 212 provided to govern and
control the operation of thermistor based sensing of rise in temperature of the
electrical controller 200. In an embodiment of the present subject matter, the
electronic circuit structure 212 illustrates a thermistor 210 positioned beside the heat
sink controller 206 (as shown in FIG. 2) to sense inside temperature of the electric
controller 200 of the e-rickshaw 100. The resistance value of the thermistor 210
changes according to the temperature of the electric controller 200, whereinafter the
changed resistance of the thermistor 210 is combined with a pre-determined value of
a resistor fed with a microcontroller 218 provided with the electronic circuit structure
212. In an embodiment of the present subject matter, the thermistor 210 is provided
with atleast one pin 220 to precisely sense the rise in the internal temperature of the erickshaw
in an embodiment of the present subject matter. This pin 220 subsequently
communicate the received signal to the microcontroller 218 via an interphase as
shown in FIG. 3. In an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter, the
electronic circuit structure 212 is further provided with a schottkey 222 to safeguard
the microcontroller 218 from the danger of in-rushing overvoltage and overcurrent
into the electronic circuit structure 212. The microcontroller 218, as a result of the
signals received, decides the subsequent operation of e-rickshaw 100 in terms of
speeding it slow, decreasing the power supplied to the e-rickshaw, shutting down the
e-rickshaw in case of overvoltage and overcurrent into the vehicle. Therefore, the said
thermistor 210 senses the inside temperature of the e-rickshaw 100 as well as
safeguard the vehicle from any danger and accidents. In an embodiment of the
present subject matter, the thermistor 210 may signal to switch a light emitting diode
provided in the vehicle information display instrument 122 of the e-rickshaw 100 to
indicate the overheating of the e-rickshaw. Further, the warning indication of
overheating may also be evident by an audible alarm (not shown) that functions
synchronously with the light emitting diode. This audible alarm may be positioned at
a position wherefrom the audible indication may be heard by the rider of the erickshaw
100. In another embodiment of the present subject matter, the thermistor
210 may be replaced by any other temperature sensing device, such as but not
restricted to, temperature sensing ICs, resistance temperature detector (RTD),
thermostat, and the like.
The thermistor based temperature sensor according to the present subject
matter advantageously monitor a controlled operation of thermistor and thus the erickshaw.
The set-up is qualified to shut the system off in case of overvoltage and
overcurrent in-rushing the electrical controller of the e-rickshaw. Further, the
presence of thermistor also reduces the speed of the e-rickshaw by decreasing the
power supply to the vehicle that may subsequently also get stopped if the
overvoltage and overcurrent constantly flows into the vehicle. This thermistor based
temperature sensor also provides a signal of malfunctioning in the vehicle
information display instrument of the vehicles. This indication, as a result,; may
safeguard the vehicle and the rider as well from any probable hazardous occasions.
Additionally, since there are not major complexities involved in terms of the
electronic components and the circuit, hence the arrangement if less costly too.
Further, the life of battery and electric.controller also gets enhanced considering less
maintenance required in these thermistor fitted vehicles.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to
the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept
thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as
illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the
appended claims rather than by the foregoing description and all variations,
substitutions and changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency
of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

WE CLAIM:
1. A temperature sensing device fitted in automotive vehicles 100 comprising:
a battery operating with an electronic circuit structure 212; the electronic
circuit structure 212 comprising;
a thermistor 210 positioned beside a heat sink controller 206 inside an
electrical controller 200 to sense the internal temperature of the
electrical controller 200;
analog input signals generated by the thermistor 210 in terms of
thermistor 210 resistance corresponding to the sensed temperature;
J
an interphase circuit for converting the analog input signal to
electrical signal;
a microcontroller 218 provided to receive and compare the electrical
signal to a reference voltage to accordingly operate the e-rickshaw
100 and subsequently to trigger the warning indicator of the inside
temperature of the electrical controller 200 via a light emitting diode
in a vehicle information display instrument 122.
2. The temperature sensing device fitted in automotive vehicles 100 as claimed in
claim 1, wherein the battery may be positioned proximate to the heat sink
controller 2Q6.
3. The temperature sensing device fitted in automotive vehicles 100 as claimed in
claim 1, wherein the thermistor switch to signal the light emitting diode provided
in the vehicle information display instrument 122 of the vehicle 100.
4. The temperature sensing device fitted in automotive vehicles 100 as claimed in
claim 1, wherein the indication of the rising temperature inside the electrical
controller 200 may be evident by an audible alarm working in tandem with the
light emitting diode.
5. The temperature sensing device fitted in automotive vehicles as claimed in claim
1, wherein the thermistor 210 may be replaced by any other temperature sensing,
device, such as but not restricted to, temperature sensing ICs, Resistance
Temperature Detector, thermostat, and the like.
6. The temperature sensing device fitted in automotive vehicles as claimed in claim
1, wherein the said warning indicator for indicating the battery temperature may
be evident by a separate telltale symbol in the vehicle information display
instrument 122.
7. The temperature sensing device fitted in automotive vehicles as claimed in claim
1. may be implemented in vehicles including e-rickshaw 100.
8. The temperature sensing device fitted in automotive vehicles as claimed in claim
1, wherein the electric controller covers a printed circuit board encompassed
within a compartment.
9. The temperature sensing device fitted in automotive vehicles as claimed in claim
1, wherein the printed circuit board 202 mechanically holds and electrically
supports a heat sink controller 206 provided to control the temperature of the
electric controller 200.
10. The temperature sensing device fitted in automotive vehicles as claimed in
claim 1, wherein the electronic circuit structure 212 is further provided with a
schottkey 222 to safeguard the microcontroller 218 from the danger of in-rushing
overvoltage and overcurrent into the electronic circuit structure 212.