Internal-combustion engines – Charge forming device – Fuel injection system
Patent
1980-05-05
1983-11-15
Cox, Ronald B.
Internal-combustion engines
Charge forming device
Fuel injection system
123417, 123406, 123416, F02P 504, F02B 300
Patent
active
044149492
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The invention relates to an apparatus for the control of repetitive events dependent on the operating parameters of combustion engines, especially for automotive use. Typical controlled events are ignition, fuel injection, transmission shifting.
BACKGROUND
Programmable or non-programmable computer apparatus to control operating events in vehicles and engines therefor are well known, for example from the W. German Pat. No. 2 504 843 (to which U.S. Pat. No. 4,063,539 corresponds), the W. German published application DE-OS 25 39 113 and the W. German laid-open application DE-OS 2,655,948 (to which U.S. Pat. No. 4,174,688 corresponds). Such computers, having many components, have complex structures and hence are subject to a variety of possibilities for error. An error which, in itself, is insignificant can nevertheless lead to the breakdown of the system to be controlled, and can immobilize the internal combustion engine, or the vehicle driven by the engine.
THE INVENTION
It is an object to provide a system which detects errors in the operation of computers, and particularly on-board vehicular computers and, upon detection of such errors, causes transfer of operation from computer control of the internal combustion engine of the vehicle so that total breakdown of the vehicle will not result; continued operation will, at least, permit driving the vehicle to a repair station.
Briefly, an on-board vehicle computer is provided, connected to receive input data from a sensor coupled to the crankshaft of an engine and, if desired, additional input data relating to operating parameters of the engine, such as temperature, pressure, and the like, in short, to receive operating signals. The computer processes these operating signals in accordance with a program stored therein to provide output signals to control at least one of: ignition events, fuel injection events and, if desired, gear shifting and the like. The system, additionally, includes an auxiliary ignition and, if provided, an auxiliary fuel injection control apparatus, merely connected to the speed transducer. In the most simple form, the speed transducer can be breaker points of an ignition system, or may be a non-contacting ignition system transducer. The auxiliary control units provide output signals to a transfer switch which transfers the signals from the auxiliary unit to the respective ignition or fuel injection output stages, for example to the ignition coil, rather than the output signals from the on-board vehicle computer, if a malfunction in the computer is being sensed. Malfunction in the computer is sensed in an error decoding stage which includes a logic circuit testing the signal output from the computer with respect to a built-in logic and determining if the signal output from the computer meets certain predetermined criteria. If it does, the transfer switch is set in "normal" position, and the computer controls operation of the respective output units, such as an ignition system, an automatic gear change system, or the like. If, however, deviation of the signals from the computer with respect to the criteria stored in the error decoding stage is sensed, the switch transfers control of the ignition and/or fuel injection system over to the auxiliary control units to permit continued operation although not as finely tuned as provided by the on-board vehicle computer. Yet, the continued operation permits the user to continue to operate the vehicle and, if necessary, drive to a repair or service station. Malfunction of the computer is also indicated in an indicator.
The error decoding stage may have certain hierarchies of detection--for example to detect serious errors which will definitely and grossly interfere with vehicle operation--in which case the switch-over from the auxiliary control system is commanded; or to detect lesser errors, only affecting, for example, most efficient operation, in which case no switch-over is controlled but only an indication of the error detection is provided, in order to warn the driver that the vehicle or
REFERENCES:
patent: 3834361 (1974-09-01), Keely
patent: 3938075 (1976-02-01), Reddy
patent: 4049957 (1977-09-01), Kera et al.
patent: 4213180 (1980-07-01), Marchak
patent: 4287565 (1981-09-01), Haubner
Honig Gunther
Kiencke Uwe
Schulz Alfred
Cox Ronald B.
Robert & Bosch GmbH
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