Internal-combustion engines – Engine speed regulator – Open loop condition responsive
Patent
1994-09-22
1996-10-29
Nelli, Raymond A.
Internal-combustion engines
Engine speed regulator
Open loop condition responsive
F02D 700
Patent
active
055687970
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a power control assistance device for motor vehicles having an internal combustion engine. It is particularly suitable for controlling the speed and traction slippage of highway vehicles, but this application of the invention is to be understood as one non-limitative example of its potential uses.
2. Discussion of Related Art
The comfort and power of highway motor vehicles as well as traffic conditions in today's world make compliance with speed limits problematical. The driver who wants to maintain his vehicle at the maximum speed authorized while not violating the regulations is forced to pay great attention to his speedometer. A device capable of effectively assisting him in this task would be of great interest.
Prior devices for this purpose are known, among which three different principles of operation can be distinguished: layout of the road. means of a luminous or acoustic alarm. positioning a movable stop on the power control.
Apparatus based on these principles are little used, with the exception of cruise controls which the manufacturers offer as an option on high-class vehicles. French Patents 2 164 362, 2 537 742, 2 444 163, and 2 632 578 may be mentioned as representative examples.
These devices present problems which it is the object of the invention to solve, namely: they do not permit natural slowing down by release of the pedal and they are put out of operation by actuation of the brake or clutch; in maintaining the speed within a narrow range. of placing a hard point on the stroke of the pedal which the control means and the manner of action used make disagreeable for the driver and which is incompatible with the stabilizing of the speed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention described below is the result of a different approach to the problem and it combines the functions of these three devices without having their limitations. It acts simultaneously, and by a single signaling, limiting and cruise-control means, and it can be used, whatever the traffic conditions are. It also leaves the driver a maximum freedom of choice and does not change his driving habits, while very effectively assisting him.
The solution consists in producing a control loop in which the driver is integrated as an active element. The device consists of at least a speed sensor, a set-speed selector, an electronic unit and an actuator. The speed of the vehicle is detected by a sensor and compared by the electronic unit with the set speed which has been selected. When the speed becomes greater than the speed set, the electronic unit controls the actuator, so as to produce a controlled return force on the power regulating member that is directly under the control of the driver, for example an accelerator pedal. This force, transmitted by a mechanical connection, is produced by a spring associated with a triangulation mechanism. A motor in the mechanism displaces the components of forces which act on the output member of the actuator. The return force on the pedal is thus regulated, without discontinuity, from a minimum value to a maximum value, regardless of its position, as a function of the control signal which the actuator receives from the electronic unit. Thus, the invention does not deprive the driver of control of his accelerator: perception which is related to his driving action; the return force on the spring is directly related to the speed difference. It is no longer necessary to observe the speedometer. driver in effortlessly and unconsciously correcting the position of the accelerator pedal.
The foot of the driver is thus used both as speed sensor and as intelligent actor in the driving; the control of the speed is transposed to the instinctive control of a force and the driver can limit or stabilize the speed without any effort of attention. The technical solutions employed also enable the driver to override the action of the device at any time.
The limiting of traction slippage is based on the same principles, usin
REFERENCES:
patent: 4019475 (1977-04-01), Nuss
patent: 5020496 (1991-06-01), Huber et al.
patent: 5065722 (1991-11-01), Huber et al.
patent: 5263448 (1993-11-01), Bluhm et al.
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