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II.
I.
PROPOSED SOLUTION
INTRODUCTION
Block diagram
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Low Cost Intelligent Real Time Fuel Mileage Indicator for Motorbikes
the motorbike in real time. The readings will be displayed in
two ways; during running conditions and during engine idling
condition.
III.
G. LCD Display
A liquid crystal display (LCD) is a flat electronic visual
display or a video display that uses the light modulating
properties of liquid crystals. LCD displays utilize two sheets
of polarizing material with a liquid crystal solution between
them [16]. An electric current passed through the liquid
causes the crystals to align so that light cannot pass through
them. Each crystal acts like a shutter by either allowing light
to pass through them or blocking the light. LCDs are available
to display arbitrary images (as in a general-purpose computer
display) or fixed images which can be displayed or hidden.
The LCD displays are available with the following display
sizes 16x2, 16x3, 16x4, 20x2, 20x3, 20x4 with 5x7 pixels per
character. It is based on the HD4470 display driver circuit.
COMPONENTS
IV.
SYSTEM DESIGN
A. Flowmeter
The proposed fuel flowmeter assembly comprises of a leak
proof housing which contains the quantity of desired fuel
required for the estimation purpose. The housing may be
constructed of any suitable material like glass or other
transparent material which are impervious to fuel. Fig 2 shows
a partially cutaway proposed fuel flowmeter apparatus.
Solenoid Driver
Solenoid driver is a circuit which is used to drive the fuel
solenoid from the battery with the control signal from the
microcontroller. Since the microcontroller can supply only a
5Volt signal at 100mA, this is necessary [13].
E. Level Sensors
Level sensors detect the level of substances that flow,
including slurries, granular materials, powders, and liquids
[14]. All such substances flow to become essentially level in
their containers (or other physical boundaries) because of
gravity. The substance which has to be measured can be in its
natural form (e.g. a river or a lake) or inside a container.
These measurements can be achieved either continuous or
with point values. The former measure level within a specified
range and determine the exact amount of substance in a
certain place, while the latter only indicate whether the
substance is above or below the sensing point. Generally the
point value sensors detect levels that are excessively high or
low.
Figure 2.
Flowmeter
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V.
F. Control Unit
The vehicle fuel mileage meter consists of the fuel mileage
display for showing the fuel mileage, the control unit for
controlling the display of fuel mileage on the display based on
the distance travelled and the amount of fuel consumed. Fig 3
shows the control unit of the proposed solution and its rule.
Circumference = 2 x x r
(1)
99
Low Cost Intelligent Real Time Fuel Mileage Indicator for Motorbikes
The number of rotation of the worm gear and the rotor
inside the speedo meter is the same as this is being driven by
the worm gear using a torsional speedo cable.
The optical sensor was designed based on the reflectivity
principle so that it can be a non contact based measurement.
The sensitivity was set to sense white strip from a black strip
at a response distance within 5mm. The sensor was fixed at a
distance of 5mm from the rotating disc. The sensitivity was
observed to be perfect at all speed of the rotor. Fig 5 shows the
optical sensor attached to the odometer.
The speedometer was modified to integrate this optical
sensor into it without disturbing any other part of the
speedometer or its function. The sensors electrical
connections were pulled out of the speedometer casing along
with the other existing electrical wiring running through the
vehicle.
Figure 6.
Figure 4.
Experimental Setup
Figure 5.
The solenoid fluid valve chosen was the right size and could
be easily installed in the fuel line from the fuel tank. The flow
meter was designed to fit in the available space above the
carburetor without interfering with any other equipment or
part of the vehicle. The electrical connections were made
along with the existing electrical lines running along the
chassis of the motor bike.
The flow metering device was mounted right above the
carburetor. The height of the flow metering device is around
4cm and could be easily mounted above the carburetor.
The LCD display which is used to display the mileage was
fixed near the dashboard of the motorbike right in the middle
of the handle bar, near the key slot. The size of the LCD
matched the handle design and hence could be easily mounted
in the available space. The data strip of the LCD was run
along with the other electrical wiring in the motorbike. Fig 6
shows the LCD mounted near the existing dashboard.
VI.
100
REFERENCES
[1]
[2]
Mileage (kmpl)
Speed
(km/hr)
10
51
48
20
53
50
30
55
53
40
59
57
50
58
56
60
54
50
70
49
45
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]
[7]
[8]
[9]
[10]
[11]
[12]
[13]
[14]
[15]
Figure 7.
[16]
[17]
[18]
[19]
Figure 8.
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