DE4222997A1 - vehicle speed and=or engine revolution rate limiter - involves controlling engine operating parameter according to maximum permissible and measured values - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves altering at least one engine operating parameter. A specifying device (2) sets maximum permissible speed and revolution rate values. The engine operating parameter is adjusted by a device (3) controlled by a control unit (7) according to the defined maximum values and actual speed (v) and revolution rate (n) values from measurement sensors (4,5). The controller displays the speed and/or revolution rate. The parameter adjustment device can be the vehicle's mechanical or electronic accelerator pedal. USE/ADVANTAGE - Esp. for use in heavy lorries. Ensures fail-safe and tamper-proof detection of excessive speeds and revolution rates and reliable limiting to maximum values.

Description

The present invention relates to a method and a Device for limiting the speed of a Vehicle and / or the speed of the vehicle engine. At Exceeding a permissible maximum Vehicle speed or an allowable maximum Engine speed will be the number of overshoots and the Exceedance recorded and at least one Operating parameters of the engine to limit the Vehicle speed and / or engine speed changed.

A number of predominantly mechanical speed or speed limiting devices are known in the prior art. In particular for speed limitation in heavy commercial vehicles, speed limitation devices, such as shown in FIG. 1 and known from DE-15 55 054, are used.

In Fig. 1, reference numeral 1 designates a vehicle engine including devices for setting operating parameters of the engine, such as a carburetor, an injection pump or the like. A setting signal S _{Be is} emitted to an adjusting device 6 by means of an adjusting device 3 , for example a mechanical or electronic accelerator pedal. This adjustment signal S _Be represents more generally the desired vehicle speed, which is set by a signal output from the adjustment device 6 Motorbetriebsparameter- change signal S _Bä the engine 1, for example by changing the throttle opening of the carburetor. A control device 7 processes a speed signal v ascertained by a speedometer 4 and a maximum speed signal v _max specified by a presetting device 2 and controls the adjusting device 6 by means of a control signal S _p . The control device 7 continuously compares the actual speed v with the permissible maximum speed v _max and controls the engine operating parameter (s) to be changed via the adjusting device 6 , so that the vehicle speed v is limited to the permissible maximum speed v _max .

The adjusting device 6 is usually designed as a pneumatic adjusting cylinder which is inserted into a gas linkage between a mechanical accelerator pedal and the engine 1 or its carburetor. Such a pneumatic adjusting cylinder with two compressed air connections is known for example from the German utility model G 81 22 056.1. Fig. 1b shows a schematic diagram of this pneumatic cylinder. When using such a pneumatic cylinder, the control _device 7 must control two pressure _signals S _p1.2 at two inputs 6-1 and 6-2 in order to influence a gas linkage connected to a piston rod 6-3 , which affects the engine operating parameter for Example sets the throttle valve opening of a carburetor. However, a speed limiter with such a pneumatic cylinder has the disadvantage that, if the necessary compressed air system fails, no speed limitation can be carried out, thus allowing the speed to be exceeded.

The control device 7 can also contain a device for recording the number and duration of the speeding. This device normally consists of a tachograph with recording disks by means of which excess speeds can be recorded. However, these tachographs and the pneumatic cylinder are easy to manipulate, for example by locking or bridging the cylinder inserted into the gas linkage or by clamping the recording disc, so that neither a safe speed limit nor a reliable record of the speed overspeed (i.e. duration and number) is guaranteed.

Such speed limiters and facilities for Record of overspeed are thus neither failsafe (e.g. if the compressed air system fails as described above) can still be an improper Manipulation of the pneumatic cylinder or the tachograph can be easily identified. In addition, the evaluation requires that used in conventional tachographs Recording disks a lot of time. They also have them Recording disks a limited accuracy.  

When using a conventional speed limiter, there are a number of advantages that improve safety and economy. For example, by using normal tires instead of expensive high-speed tires, a longer service life of tires and brakes including a fuel saving and, as a result, a considerable cost saving can be achieved, however, only a control for speed limitation is carried out in the conventional speed limiters explained with reference to FIG. 1. Thus, the conventional speed limiters are inadequate, particularly when used in heavy commercial vehicles, particularly in terms of economical driving and environmental pollution due to the emission of combustion gases. In addition to the speed, both aspects depend essentially on the fuel consumption and thus on the speed of the vehicle engine.

In summary, the conventional limitation devices, especially when used in heavy Commercial vehicles have the following major disadvantages:

• - in the event of failure or manipulation of the adjustment device or the speed recorder neither implemented a speed limit nor the overspeeds (i.e. number and duration) are recorded safely;
• - An engine operating parameter, for example one Throttle opening or adjustment of one Injection pump is detected only on the basis of Speed affected;  
• - if a maximum speed is exceeded, (for example in cars), just the ignition interrupted and no control due to a Speed exceeded;
• - despite the known fact above, one No speed limit devices are available for purchase available that have a limit of speed and Speed as well as the recording of both Enable overruns; and
• - There are no measures provided to the driver an economical driving style and one Reduction of environmental pollution due to to stop emitted pollutants.

The present invention is particularly directed to the disadvantages of the prior art described above eliminate and a speed and Exceeded speed fail-safe and tamper-free detect and an engine operating parameter due to To control speed and speed overshoots.

The object of the present invention is therefore a Limiting device especially for heavy commercial vehicles to create a fail-safe and manipulation-free detection of speed and / or Overspeed is guaranteed and the Vehicle speed and / or the engine speed to one permissible maximum speed or permissible engine speed is limited.

This problem is solved by a Speed-speed limiting device with the Features a) to e) of claim 1.  

In particular, uses the invention Speed-speed limiting device after Claim 1 a default device for the maximum permissible speed or speed values, a Setting device for setting at least one Operating parameters of the engine, an adjustment device for Change an engine operating parameter, one Speed and engine tachometer and one Control device for controlling the adjustment device in Dependence on the given speed and Speed values and from a measured speed and Engine speed and for recording speed and Exceeded speed.

Thus, according to the present invention, it continues monitors the speed and speed of the vehicle and compared with given values. Due to the Evaluation of this comparison becomes a speed and / or a speed limitation. Thus in particular the advantage of an economical driving style and achieved a lower pollution of the environment. In addition, according to claim 1 Speed and speed exceeded in the Control device recorded so that by their Evaluation can be recognized whether manipulation of the Adjustment device and / or a limitation due to Speeding or one Speed has been exceeded.

Further particularly advantageous embodiments of the speed-speed limitation according to the invention Device according to claim 1 are in the claims 2 to 22 specified.  

The claims 2 to 9 relate to execution form the invention as mechanical or electronic Limiting devices. So according to claim 2 or 3 Setting device a mechanical or electronic Be the accelerator. According to claims 4 to 6 Adjustment device in a gas linkage of the vehicle engine inserted, the vehicle engine being a Combustion engine acts and the changed operating parameters either the throttle valve opening and / or the Fuel supply amount. This enables the limiting device according to the invention in particular simple way on conventional vehicle engines, especially in heavy commercial vehicles can without any additional modifications to the Vehicle engine are necessary.

However, the present invention is also limited to one electric motor applicable, which is the Adjustment device is an electronic accelerator pedal, and in which the adjusting device with a device for Change in the amount of energy supplied to the motor connected is. The main advantage is achieved that the invention also on electric motors and electronic accelerator pedals, such as those used in Articulated buses (e.g. in city buses) are used, is applicable. In particular, there are known problems such as Tampering with the accelerator pedal and tying the adjustment cylinder locked out. Claim 10 particularly claims advantageous embodiment of the adjusting device as pneumatic return cylinder with only one Compressed air connection. This embodiment of the Adjustment device ensures that even if the Compressed air system performed a speed limit  can be because the speed or speed limit here by reducing the compressed air supply is performed. Thus, even if the Compressed air system a safe limitation can be guaranteed.

According to claim 11, it is the adjusting device an electromagnetic adjustment device, the one Speed or speed limitation without intervention in the Compressed air system of a commercial vehicle enables.

To carry out the control of the adjustment device and for recording the speed and speed the control device according to claim contains exceedances 12 a first and a second separation input, one Receiving device for receiving default signals from Speed and speed, an evaluation device for Processing of the input data signals and the Specification data signals and for determining speed or speed exceeded and number and for delivery a corresponding control signal, a converter for Conversion of the electrical control signal into a control signal for delivery to the adjustment device, and one with the Evaluation device connected display device for display the default signals, the number and duration of the detected Speed and speed exceeded.

A particularly advantageous embodiment of the first and second separation inputs is specified in claim 13, wherein the first and second isolating input optocoupler inputs for non-reactive reception of the speed or Are speed signals.

Claims 14 and 15 have a preferred embodiment the content of the control device, in which a pneumatic Pressure signal is given to the adjusting device, and  the adjustment device is a pneumatic cylinder. How An active one is already executed above Speed limit even if the Compressed air system guaranteed.

According to claim 17, the adjusting device contain electronic device that the electrical Control signal and an electrical from the accelerator pedal Setting signal for generating an output signal processed by at least one operating parameter of the engine to influence. An electrical embodiment according to Claim 17 instead of the inserted into the gas linkage Pneumatic cylinder, applies the possibility of manipulation the adjusting device or on the control device because the entire control or influencing of the Engine operating parameters made completely electronically becomes.

A preferred embodiment of the evaluation device from Claim 12 is specified in claim 20. Claim 20 relates refer in particular to an embodiment of the Evaluation device with a central computer unit, one RAM, an accumulator and an EPROM. This embodiment is a particularly inexpensive, safe and Tamper-free embodiment of the evaluation device.

The claims 21 and 22 have the content that the Default device is a transmitting device in the form of a Infrared transmitter includes that for the transmission of the Default values, namely the permissible maximum speed and speed, to the control device and to display Data from the RAM is provided on the display device. This is a particularly advantageous embodiment in the by a separate one from the control device  Transmitting device values in the control device be preprogrammed and displayed. Consequently is access to this data in the control device itself is impossible. This sets the possibility of Manipulation of the control device further down.

According to claim 22, it is also possible the display device To make part of the transmission device, so that no display is carried out in the control device, which the Manipulation security of the limiting device further elevated.

The above task is also accomplished by a method for Limiting the speed of a vehicle and / or the Speed of the vehicle engine with steps a) to f) from Claim 23 solved.

In particular, in the method according to the invention detected vehicle speed with the permissible Speed and the detected speed with the permissible Speed compared, and if the permissible maximum speed Speed limit counter is incremented Speed exceeding period is detected and at least one operating parameter of the engine for limitation the vehicle speed is changed. In addition, at exceeding the permissible maximum speed Delay time set and if the Speed longer than the delay time Overspeed counter increments that Exceeded speed exceeded and around it Operating parameters of the engine to limit the speed changed.  

With the method according to the invention, apart from one economical driving style and reduction of the risk of accidents due to the speed limit, also the essential advantage of capturing manipulation of the Adjustment device a safe record of the Speed or speed overshoot possible.

In particular, the number of speeds or Speeding and from the total duration of the Overspeed or Exceeded speeds are determined whether any illegal manipulation of the Adjustment device or recording device made have been. Even if the adjustment device fails are the duration of the exceedance and the number of exceedances recorded.

Further particularly advantageous embodiments of the speed-speed limitation according to the invention Processes are specified in claims 24 to 30.

According to claim 25, the allowed delay time is the speed exceeded 15 seconds. this is a sufficient time to shift gears, for example Uphill or a short-term temporary To enable acceleration at high speed.

According to claim 26, the maximum is exceeded each time permissible speed or speed the Duration exceeded for a last recorded one Exceeded duration added and saved. this makes possible by querying the total duration of the exceedance and the Total number of exceedances conclusions about whether and how violations have often been made. Furthermore  allows this in a particularly advantageous manner Evaluation of these values to decide whether a Manipulations on the adjustment device or Control device was made.

According to claim 27, however, it is also possible per Speed or speed exceeded the Store overrun time separately, which further details on the driving style of the Winning driver.

Claims 28 to 30 relate to various Operating parameters of the engine by means of the Limitation procedure for speed or Speed limit can be changed. In particular, can the motor of claim 30 is an electrical one Act the engine, with the changed operating parameters amount of electrical energy supplied.

Further details, features and advantages of the present Invention result from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention Speed-speed limiting device and method with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1a is a block diagram of a conventional speed limiting device;

FIG. 1b shows a conventional pneumatic pressure cylinder which is used as an adjusting device in the conventional speed limiting device from FIG. 1a;

Fig. 2 is a block diagram of the principle of the speed-speed limiting device according to the invention;

Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of the invention with an inserted into a throttle linkage of a vehicle pneumatic return cylinder;

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary embodiment of the control device from FIG. 2; and

Fig. 5 is an illustration for explaining the speed-speed limiting method according to the invention.

In the drawings, the same reference numerals designate the same or corresponding parts as in FIG. 1. The basic principle of the invention is explained below with reference to FIG. 2.

In FIG. 2, a reference symbol 3 denotes an adjusting device, a reference symbol 6 an adjusting device and a reference symbol 1 a vehicle engine, or its injection pump, carburetor or the like. A speed speed setting means 2 outputs a signal n to a maximum allowable speed v _max and a maximum permissible speed signal _max existing signal v _max; n _max to the control device 7 . In addition, the control device 7 is supplied with a speed signal n via a tachometer and a speed signal v via a speed meter 4 . By processing these input signals, the control device 7 outputs a corresponding control signal S _p to the adjusting device 6 , which changes at least one operating parameter of the engine by means of an operating parameter change _signal S _Ba to limit the rotational speed or the speed. In contrast to FIG. 1 a, the control device 7 determines a control signal S _p from the speed and speed preset signals v _max or n _max and from the current speed and speed signals v or n. The control device 7 continuously compares these values by, and records speed and / or speed overshoots, especially their number and duration.

The operating parameter change _signal S _Bä can, for example, change the throttle valve _{opening of} the carburetor or the fuel supply quantity or directly change the parameters of an injection pump as a changed operating parameter of the engine. However, the motor can also be an electric motor, the operating parameter to be changed being the amount of energy supplied to the motor. The setting device 3 can either be a mechanical or an electronic accelerator pedal (eg in the simplest case a potentiometer) for setting at least one desired operating parameter of the engine by means of the operating parameter setting signal S _Be .

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in which the principle of the invention is applied to a conventional vehicle engine with a mechanical gas linkage 9 . In particular, as shown in Fig. 3, the adjusting device 3 consists of a mechanical accelerator pedal, and the operating parameters of the engine (or of the carburetor or the injection pump) are influenced by means of a pneumatic return cylinder inserted into the gas linkage. The pneumatic return cylinder 6 receives a pneumatic control signal S _p from the control device 7 , the respective speed and speed preset signals v _max or n _max from the preset device 2 and the actual speed or speed signals n or v from standard in the vehicle built-in speed or tachometer 4 or 5 receives. The pneumatic return cylinder 6 with spring return, as indicated in Fig. 3, is installed in the gas linkage 9 so that the return cylinder is extended in its depressurized state. This reduces the adjustment range of the engine operating parameter that can be adjusted with the accelerator pedal 3 (and thus, for example, the setting parameter of the injection pump). When compressed air is supplied by means of the compressed air control signal S _p , the return cylinder 6 is shortened to such an extent that with the original transmission characteristic of the gas linkage 9, the full engine power is available.

As will be explained in more detail, electronic, electrical and pneumatic components are combined in the control device 7 in such a way that the compressed air for the return cylinder is fed in such a way that the vehicle speed and / or the engine speed is limited by reducing the adjustment range on the injection pump 1 .

Shown a built-in control device 7 evaluating device 15 as shown in Fig. 4, the maximum speed or maximum speed is exceeded, switches on a pneumatic converter 16 the reset cylinder 6 linkage 9 in the gas is depressurized (restoring cylinder is extended). If the maximum speed or maximum speed is undershot, the reset cylinder is switched on (cylinder retracted). The speed limitation only becomes effective if the speed is exceeded for more than 15 seconds.

If the speed falls below the limit, the full speed is reached Engine power available again without delay. Through this Measure is in dynamic driving mode (e.g. mountain driving or shifting the gears) the full engine power for a short time available.

In particular, reference should also be made to the failure behavior of the control device 7 and the adjusting device 6 from FIG. 3 in connection with the control device 7 from FIG. 4. A failure or an interruption of the electrical power supply or the compressed air supply leads the system into a so-called regulated state, in which a speed limitation is carried out after the pneumatic return cylinder 6 is in a depressurized state. In this state, malfunctions are indicated to the driver by a red speed warning lamp if the limit speed is exceeded by a certain amount. Blocking of the mixture supply, ie the fuel supply, is therefore also impossible, so that the control device 7 is of particular use in terms of safety. Even if the adjustment cylinder is manipulated or if the compressed air system fails, the control device records the number and duration of the speed and speed being exceeded, and manipulation can be determined by evaluating this recorded data. Thus, even in the event of an error, whether by failure of the converter contained in the controller 7 16, pneumatic failure, failure of the control device 7 or contact problems and the system has only two non-critical conditions at EMC influences:

• a) effective = no change for the driver, whereby the System can no longer carry out a limitation. As long as there is no error in the evaluation electronics nevertheless the speed and speed overshoot recorded.
• b) ineffective = vehicle is slowly decelerated, as if an exceeding of speed or speed is present.

Unlike traditional speed limiters, are in the speed speed according to the invention limiting device speed increase or decrease as well as blocking the speed can be avoided since the Controls can fail undefined. That follows from the fact that semiconductor elements do not define any defective Accept condition. Interference due to EMC influences are also in the to suppress it generally only with great effort. Although a high in the device according to the invention Interference immunity has been made (e.g. by opto-galvanic isolation, galvanically isolated voltage for the MC control section, network screening, short-circuit strength of the Home with thermal monitoring), is the device with higher performance also cheaper than before known speed limiters.

In Fig. 3, the setting means is a mechanical accelerator pedal 3 and the adjusting device 6, a pneumatic return cylinder which is inserted in a throttle linkage 9 of the engine 1, for influencing an injection pump. The adjusting device 6 is controlled by means of compressed air (via the compressed air control signal S _p ). This is a particularly advantageous embodiment for installation in trucks and heavy commercial vehicles that use such a gas linkage.

However, the principle of the invention, as shown in FIG. 2, can also be applied to a vehicle without a throttle linkage. If the present invention is installed in an articulated bus (city bus), for example, the adjusting device 3 is an electronic accelerator pedal and the adjusting device 6 is an electronic device which processes an electrical control signal S _op with an electrical operating parameter setting signal S _Be and generates an electrical operating parameter change control signal S _Ba for changing the engine operating parameters. This means that there is no need to intervene in the compressed air system of the vehicle, and the previously known problems, such as manipulation of the accelerator pedal and tying the reset cylinder, are thus completely ruled out. Of course, combinations of an electronic accelerator pedal with a pneumatic adjusting device using additional electrical / pneumatic converters are also possible, so that the invention is not restricted to an exclusively electronic or pneumatic embodiment.

A preferred embodiment of the control device 7 comprises first and second isolating inputs 12 , 13 for the non-reactive reception of a speed signal v from a speedometer 4 or a speed signal n of a speed meter 5 for the delivery of respective electrical speed or speed data signals v _e or n _e . In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, a receiving device 14 is provided for receiving preset signals v _max , n _{max of} the speed and rotational speed and for issuing corresponding electric preset and data signals ve _max , ne _max . The receiving device 14 receives the default signals either from a transmitting device 2-1 (in the form of an infrared transmitter) which transmits the default signals or from buttons which can be provided in the control device. The control device 7 also includes an evaluation device 15 for processing the input data signals v _e , n _e and the default data signals ve _max , ne _max for determining the duration and number of overspeed or speed overspeed and for delivering a corresponding electrical actuating signal S _e to a converter 16 Conversion of the electrical control signal S _e into the control signal S _p for delivery to the adjustment device 6 . In addition, the evaluation device 15 is connected to a display device 17 for displaying the preset signals, the number and the duration of the detected speed and speed overshoots. These values can be displayed via the transmitting device or via the buttons attached to the control device.

A preferred embodiment of the first and second isolating inputs 12 , 13 comprises optocoupler inputs for the feedback-free coupling of the speed or speed signals of the control device. If the adjusting device is a pneumatic return cylinder inserted into a gas linkage, the converter 16 preferably consists of a solenoid valve, with a first input 19 for receiving a constant pressure, a second input 20 for the electrical control signal and an output for delivering a pneumatic one Control signal S _p to a pneumatic adjusting device (return cylinder). In a fully electronic embodiment, the converter 16 can, however, also be an electrical converter that outputs an electrical control signal S _p to an electrical or electronic adjusting device 6 . An electrical converter is preferably used in combination with an electronic accelerator pedal and an electronic adjusting device, so that an electrical output signal is generated as an operating parameter change _signal S _Ba . As described above, this operating parameter change signal can directly affect the throttle valve opening or the electronic injection pump.

FIG. 4 also shows a preferred embodiment of the evaluation device 15 , which contains a RAM 15-1 for storing variable data, for example operating parameters, such as the duration of exceedance and the number of overspeeds and revs and the default data signals. In addition, the evaluation device 15 comprises an accumulator for supplying the RAM 15-1 with voltage in the event of a supply voltage failure. An EPROM stores an operating program for a central processing unit CPU 15-4 . The central unit 15-4 compares the input data signals v _e , n _e with the preset data signals ve _max , ne _max stored in the RAM 15-1 in accordance with the operating program stored in the EPROM. The central unit CPU 15-4 also outputs the electrical control signal S _e to the converter 16 and the determined number of overspeed and duration to the RAM 15-1 for storage.

The central unit CPU 15-4 thus evaluates two signals independently, carries out a plausibility test and stores the exceeding of the predetermined limit values in a memory RAM 15-1 . The duration of the exceedance and the number of exceedances are saved. Depending on the exceeding, the central unit 15-4 controls the adjusting device 6 for speed or speed limitation by means of the converter 16 . The memory content, namely the number of times exceeded and the duration, can be read by means of the transmitting device 2-1 or by means of buttons which can be provided in the control device.

Four functions can thus be called up from the RAM 15-1 on the display device 17 via the transmission device 2-1 .

• 1. The sum of the speed exceeding time.
• 2. The number of overspeeds for speed and Rotational speed.
• 3. The sum of the overspeed time.
• 4. Resetting the measured values.

The receiving device 14 in the control device 7 for the measurement values to be queried from the outside and displayed on the display device 17 advantageously consists of a photodiode in a downstream PCM receiver. This arrangement makes button contacts in the control device 7 installed in the vehicle superfluous and is, on the one hand, interference-proof and, on the other hand, extremely manipulation-proof. The use of a specially coded transmitter in the transmitter 2-1 enables the desired function to be tamper-proof.

In the following, the method for limiting the speed of a vehicle and the speed of the vehicle engine will be described with reference to FIG. 5. Fig. 5 is a combined block diagram / flow diagram showing the method and apparatus for speed and / or speed limit in a vehicle.

In FIG. 5, reference numeral 20 denotes a bus line which connects the individual parts of the evaluation device 15 or the control device 7 to one another as described above. As shown schematically in FIG. 5, the central processing unit 15-4 essentially contains a control block, a checksum watchdog block, an error voltage monitoring block and a function block for carrying out comparison and arithmetic operations. The control output in 15-4 outputs the control signal S _e to the converter 16 . In addition, FIG. 5 shows the already known from FIG. 4, display device 17 which includes a software module for display control. The block input function key 21 represents either the function keys in the control device 7 or the receiving device 14 already described above. The memories for a speedometer constant, the maximum speed value and the maximum speed value, as well as for the number of speed or speed overshoots (counter 18 -1 ; 19-1 ) and the duration (clock 18-2 , 19-2 ) are part of RAM 15-4 . The delay time of approx. 15 seconds is preset in the operating program of the CPU 15-4 . The inputs 12 and 13 for speed or speed signals v _e ; n _e correspond to the inputs 12 and 13 from FIG. 4.

Now the operation of the invention Speed speed regardless of the fact described whether it is in the adjustment device and Setting device around a pneumatic, electrical or is a pneumatic / electrical system.

After the control device 7 is switched on, the speedometer constant first appears on the display device 17 for a few seconds. Then, the maximum permissible speed and speed values v _max are determined via a special programming mode on the transmitting device 21 (or by means of function keys in the control device 7 ); n _max specified. These are displayed during programming on the display device 17 . Thereafter, the control device 7 is removed from the programming mode via the transmitting device and set in its operating state. When the vehicle engine is started, the control device 7 emits an actuating signal S _p to the adjusting device 6 (for example a pressure signal) in order to bring the adjusting device 6 (for example a pneumatic return cylinder) out of the normal state in which the adjusting device 6 carries out a speed limitation. With this compressed air signal, the return cylinder is shortened to such an extent that with the original transmission characteristic of the linkage 9, the full engine power is available. As described above, the control device 7 emits an active pressure signal to the adjusting device 6 for normal operation, while a speed limitation is carried out safely in the depressurized state.

When operating the vehicle, the driver uses the setting device 3 , for example by means of a mechanical or electronic accelerator pedal, to set the operating parameter or parameters of the engine, for example a desired throttle valve position, and the control device 7 detects an actual vehicle speed v and an actual engine speed n in blocks 22 and 23 in Fig. 5 continuously the detected vehicle speed v with the allowable speed v _max and the detected rotational speed n with the permissible rotation speed n _max is compared with the respective allowable speed and rotational speed values in memory RAM 15-1 stored are.

As shown in FIG. 5, if the permissible maximum speed v _{max is} exceeded, a speed exceeding counter 18-1 is incremented and the speed exceeding duration is recorded by means of a speed exceeding duration clock 18-2 . The values of number and duration are in turn stored in the RAM 15-1 . If the permissible maximum speed is exceeded again, the speed exceeding counter 18-1 is again incremented and the new speed exceeding duration is added to the old duration. According to a further preferred embodiment of the limiting method, however, it can also be provided that the duration of the exceedance can be stored and called up separately for each overspeed.

As shown in FIG. 5, if the permissible maximum speed n _{max is} exceeded, a delay time T _max of 15 seconds, for example, is first set and the speed is exceeded for this time period T _max .

Although a speed of 1850 U / m should be limited for economical driving, for example, for heavy commercial vehicles with several 100 HP, this allows a brief exceeding of the maximum speed, for example when driving uphill or accelerating quickly. If the speed n is exceeded longer than the set delay time T _max , a speed exceeding number counter 19-1 is incremented and the speed exceeding duration is recorded in a speed exceeding duration clock 19-2 . As with the speed overspeed, the speed overspeed counter is incremented when the speed is exceeded again and the new speed overspeed period is added to the old speed overspeed period in RAM 15-4 . According to a preferred embodiment of the speed limitation method, however, it can also be provided that the speed overspeed period is stored separately for each speed overspeed.

In both cases, speed and speed overshoot, which can also occur simultaneously under certain circumstances, after incrementing the respective overshoot counters 18-1 and 19-1 and detecting the overshoot time, the electrical control signal S _{e is} output to the converter 16 via the control output which changes at least one operating parameter of the engine 1 by means of the adjusting device 6 in order to limit the vehicle speed or the rotational speed.

Thus, in the method according to the invention Speed and speed limit and at the same time their acquisition or monitoring carried out. So will on the one hand limits the vehicle speed and on the other hand, the engine speed to a maximum speed is limited. About the speed limit is in essentially an economical driving style Saving fuel and over the speed limit avoid serious accidents or increased Tire wear and the like achieved.

As stated above, in the invention Speed and speed limitation method and Device besides the active speed limit or speed also stores the number of overshoots and duration for speed and speed.  

These values can be called up by means of the transmitting device 2-1 or via function keys on the control device 7 on the display device 17 after the end of the trip, so that despite the active limitation of the speed and speed, the attempt to exceed or exceed the speed of the driver can still be determined.

If the adjustment mechanism fails, for example if the compressed air system fails when a pneumatic return cylinder is used as the adjustment device 6 , the limiting device is moved into a safe state in which a speed limitation is carried out safely via the adjustment device. At the same time, at least the number of overshoots and the duration of overspeeds and revs are recorded.

The limiting device according to the invention is also tamper evident after querying Number of times exceeded and duration also a manipulation on the Adjustment device, for example bridging the Entry and exit rods of a pneumatic actuating cylinder can be determined. For example, with a such a manipulation the accumulated exceeding duration of speed take a high value, whereas Speed limit will be small. The same applies to exceeding the maximum Speed value. This fully electronic, failsafe and Tamper-proof limiting device thus has significant advantages over conventional Limiting devices and tachographs as above discussed in detail, on the one hand only the Detect overspeed and on the other hand are easy to manipulate.  

Merely the evaluation of the duration of the exceedance and the number already represents a measure of the driving behavior of the driver. However, it goes without saying that further processing of these determined values can be carried out via the CPU 15-4 in order to determine further details about the operation of the vehicle. For example, it is quite conceivable to carry out correlations with the detected fuel consumption, wear of the brake pads and tires, engine wear or the like. In addition, it goes without saying that not only an engine operating parameter can be controlled, but at the same time a variety of parameters, e.g. B. Air supply and fuel injection of the engine. It is also possible to apply the limiting device according to the invention to other types of vehicles, for example to boat engines or even aircraft engines.

The invention thus represents an essential one in general Improvement of conventional speed limiters under the special focus of an optimal recording or control of engine operating parameters in particular for Avoiding accidents and achieving one economical and environmentally friendly driving behavior.

Claims (30)

1. Speed-speed limiting device for vehicles, in particular for heavy commercial vehicles, for limiting the vehicle speed (v) and the speed (n) of the vehicle engine ( 1 ) by changing at least one operating parameter of the engine ( 1 )

• a) a specification device ( 2 ) for specifying the maximum permissible speed or speed values (v _max n _max );
• b) an adjusting device ( 3 ) for adjusting the at least one operating parameter of the engine ( 1 );
• b) a vehicle speedometer ( 4 );
• c) an engine tachometer ( 5 );
• d) a controllable adjusting device ( 6 ) for changing the at least one set operating parameter of the engine ( 1 ); and
• e) a control device ( 7 ) for controlling the adjusting device ( 6 ) as a function of the predetermined speed and speed values (915; n _max ) and of the measured speed (v) and the measured engine speed (n), and for recording the speed - or overspeed.

2. Speed-speed limiting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the adjusting device ( 3 ) is a mechanical accelerator pedal ( 8 ). 3. Speed-speed limiting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the adjusting device ( 3 ) is an electronic accelerator pedal. 4. Speed-speed limiting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the adjusting device ( 6 ) for influencing a gas rod path in a gas rod ( 9 ) of the engine ( 1 ) is inserted. 5. Speed-speed limiting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the motor ( 1 ) is an internal combustion engine. 6. Speed-speed limiting device according to claim 4 and 5, characterized in that the gas linkage ( 9 ) with a carburetor ( 10 ) of the engine ( 1 ) is connected, and the changed operating parameter is the throttle valve opening of the carburetor. 7. Speed-speed limiting device according to claim 4 and 5, characterized in that the gas linkage ( 9 ) with an injection pump ( 11 ) of the engine ( 1 ) is connected, and the changed operating parameters of the engine ( 1 ), the fuel supply amount and / or the throttle valve opening of the carburetor ( 10 ). 8. Speed-speed limiting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the motor ( 1 ) is an electric motor. 9. Speed-speed limiting device according to claim 4 and 8, characterized in that the gas linkage ( 9 ) is connected to a device for changing an amount of energy supplied to the engine ( 1 ), and the changed operating parameters of the engine ( 1 ) the amount of energy supply is. 10. Speed-speed limiting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the adjusting device ( 6 ) is a pneumatic spring return cylinder with a compressed air connection. 11. Speed-speed limiting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the adjusting device ( 6 ) is an electromagnetic adjusting device. 12. Speed-speed limiting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the control device ( 7 ) comprises:

• a) a first separation input ( 12 ) for the non-reactive reception of a speed signal (v) from the speedometer and for the output of a corresponding electrical speed data signal (v _e );
• b) a second isolating input ( 13 ) for the non-reactive reception of a speed signal (n) from the speed meter and for outputting a corresponding electrical speed data signal (n _e );
• c) a receiving device ( 14 ) for receiving preset signals (v _max , n _max ) of the speed and speed and for delivering corresponding electric preset data signals (ve _max , ne _max );
• d) an evaluation device ( 15 ) for processing the input data signals (v _e , n _e ) and the default data signals (ve _max , ne _max ) for determining the duration of speed or speed overshoot ( 18-2 ; 19-2 ) and number ( 18-1 ; 19-1 ), and for emitting a corresponding electrical control signal (S _e );
• e) a converter ( 16 ) for converting the electrical control signal (S _e ) into a control signal (S _p ) for delivery to the adjustment device ( 6 ); and
• f) a display device ( 17 ) connected to the evaluation device ( 15 ) for displaying the default signals (ve _max , ne _max ), the number ( 18-1 ; 19-1 ) and duration ( 18-2 ; 19-2 ) the detected speed and speed overshoots.

13. Speed-speed limiting device according to claim 12, characterized in that the first and the second separation input ( 12 , 13 ) are optocoupler inputs. 14. Speed-speed limiting device according to claim 12, characterized in that the converter ( 16 ) comprises a solenoid valve ( 18 ) with a first input ( 19 ) for receiving a constant pressure (p _c ), a second input ( 20 ) for receiving the electrical control signal (S _e ) and an output ( 21 ) for delivering the control signal (S _p ) to the adjustment device ( 6 ). 15. Speed-speed limiting device according to claim 14, characterized in that the control signal (S _p ) is a pneumatic pressure signal and the adjusting device ( 6 ) of the pneumatic return cylinder ( 22 ) according to claim 10. 16. Speed-speed limiting device according to claim 12, characterized in that the converter is an electrical converter and emits an electrical control signal (S _p ). 17. Speed-speed limiting device according to claim 3 and 16, characterized in that the adjusting device ( 6 ) contains an electronic device which the electrical control signal (S _p ) and an electrical setting signal emitted by the accelerator pedal S _Be ) for generating an output signal (S _Bä ) processed, which affects the at least one operating parameter of the engine ( 1 ). 18. Speed-speed limiting _device according to claim 17, characterized in that the output signal (S _Ba ) influences a throttle valve _opening . 19. Speed-speed limiting _device according to claim 17, characterized in that the output signal (S _Ba ) influences an electronic injection pump. 20. Speed-speed limiting device according to claim 12, characterized in that the evaluation device ( 15 ) comprises:

• a) a RAM ( 15-1 ) for storing variable data and the default data signals (ve _max , ne _max );
• b) an accumulator ( 15-2 ) for supplying power to the RAM ( 15-1 ) if a supply voltage fails;
• c) an EPROM ( 15-3 ) for storing a central processing unit CPU operating program;
• d) a central processing unit (CPU 15-4) for comparing the input data signals (v _e , n _e ) with the default data signals (v _max , n _max ) stored in the RAM ( 15-1 ) corresponding to that in the EPROM ( 15-3 ) stored operating program, for delivering data signals to the RAM ( 15-1 ) and for delivering the electrical control signal (S _e ) to the converter ( 16 ).

21. Speed-speed limiting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the default device ( 2 ) comprises a transmitting device ( 2-1 ) in the form of an infrared transmitter for transmitting the default data values (v _max , n _max ) to the control device ( 7 ) and for displaying data from the RAM ( 15-1 ) on the display device ( 17 ). 22. Speed-speed limiting device according to claim (21) and (12), characterized in that the control device ( 7 ) contains a device for transmitting the processed data to the transmitting device ( 2-1 ) and the transmitting device ( 2-1 ) contains a device for displaying the transmitted data. 23. A method for limiting the speed (v) of a vehicle, in particular a heavy commercial vehicle, and the speed (n) of an engine ( 1 ) installed in the vehicle by changing at least one operating parameter of the engine ( 1 ), comprising the following steps:

• a) Specifying the maximum permissible speed and speed values (v _max ; n _max );
• b) setting the at least one operating parameter of the engine ( 1 );
• c) detecting a vehicle speed (v);
• d) detecting an engine speed (n);
• e) Continuous, simultaneous comparison of the detected vehicle speed (v) with the permitted speed (v _max ) and the detected speed (n) with the permitted speed (n _max ), wherein
• e1) if the permissible maximum speed (v _max ) is exceeded:
  incrementing an overspeed counter ( 18-1 ) and detecting the overspeed duration ( 18-2 ); and
• e2) if the permissible maximum speed (n _max ) is exceeded:
  a delay time (T _max ) is set and the speed (n) is permitted to be exceeded for this period (T _max ); and if the speed (n) is exceeded longer than the set delay time (T _max ), a speed overshoot counter ( 19-1 ) is incremented and the speed overshoot duration ( 19-2 ) is detected, and
• f) the at least one operating parameter of the engine ( 1 ) is changed to limit the vehicle speed (v) or speed (n).

24. The method according to claim 23, characterized in that the entire speed and speed exceeding duration ( 18-2 ; 19-2 ) is displayed on a display ( 17 ). 25. The method according to claim 23, characterized in that the allowed delay time (T _max ) for exceeding the speed is 15 seconds. 26. The method according to claim 23, characterized in that in step e1) or e2) each time the maximum permissible speed (v _max ) or speed (n _max ) is exceeded, the duration of exceedance to a respective last detected duration of exceedance ( 18-2 ; 19-2 ) is added and saved. 27. The method according to claim 23, characterized in that in step e1) or e2) the exceeding duration ( 18-2 ; 19-2 ) of the speed (v) or speed (n) are stored separately for each exceeding. 28. The method according to claim 23, characterized in that the changed operating parameter of the engine ( 1 ) is a throttle valve opening of the carburetor ( 10 ). 29. The method according to claim 23, characterized in that the changed operating parameter of the engine ( 1 ) is a fuel quantity supplied to the engine ( 1 ). 30. The method according to claim 23, characterized in that the changed operating parameter of the motor ( 1 ) is a quantity of electrical energy supplied to the motor ( 1 ).