FR2715613A1 - Automatic vehicle engine and gearbox and clutch control device - Google Patents

Abstract

The automatic vehicle control device, e.g. a lever (1), enables the driver to select the optimum engine regime, appropriate to the vehicle speed. The normal brake (16) and accelerator (15) controls slow or accelerate the vehicle, an electronic management system (14) adjusts the gear ratio appropriately. Parking, reverse, neutral, drive, first (13) and stop (20) controls are adjacent to the driver. A normal clutch control (17) may be fitted, if the driver wishes to use it, but the electronic system will double declutch and cut the accelerator, if braking. Thus mechanical (18) or automatic (19) systems may be used, depending on selection (2). A display (11) of transmission condition may inform the driver, with a start/stop button (20) close to hand.

Description

The present invention PROMAX is a device for selecting the maximum engine speed for land vehicles with thermal engines, gearboxes and, optionally, clutches.

Controls of mechanical gearboxes and clutches; semi-automatic boxes; automatic gearboxes decelerating, make time for gear changes, especially if there is a lot and mainly concentration in driving and are genes for driver comfort.

The PROMAX device overcomes these drawbacks.

 In fact, according to a first characteristic, it comprises a command which allows the pilot - or the driver - to select, when he wishes, the maximum engine speed, from idling to the highest speed authorized on the said engine.

 There can be an unlimited number of gearbox ratios, the vehicle speed and the selection of maximum engine speeds are the main choices of the driver - or the driver - The brakes and the accelerator slow or accelerate the vehicle and the gearbox of speeds adapts the reports according to this data.

The idea is that the driver - or the driver - "forgets" the gearbox.

The PROMAX control also prevents the engine from going up in overspeed.

Mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, electrical, electronic systems can be used to operate the PROMAX control, vehicle speed, accelerator, brakes, gearbox.

Electronic management is the most efficient, quickest and most reliable, mainly to receive information about maximum PROMAX speed, vehicle speed, accelerator, brakes and select gear ratios in performing the double declutching and accelerating. Even with the drive wheels blocked, the computer favors PROMAX and vehicle speed and, if necessary, disengages.

According to particular modes of operation of the command
PROMAX - there may be an activation switch or
stop of said command - engine speed and torque dials can indicate
the position of the PROMAX control - replacing the gearbox controls, com
Parking, Reversing, Neutral, Drive mandes can be installed
within range of the pilot - or the driver - a command for the first speed of the gearbox
located near the Drive control (about 3cm) maybe
installed. This command can be used to start the vehicle
and can only work if the Drive command is set
action. As soon as the gearbox goes into Second, the
First order is canceled. Of course, the pilot - or the
driver - can disconnect the Premier when he wishes
hates.

- a clutch and disengage command can be kept
on the vehicle equipped with PROMAX. This command can be
used by the pilot - or the driver - when he wishes
hates.

- mechanical or automatic gearbox control
can be kept but it must have a PROMAX position.

This position removes the power switch
PROMAX operation or shutdown.

- a light on the dashboard can inform the pilot
or the driver - of the gearbox type
used on the vehicle.

- a speedometer can be installed on the dashboard
edge.

- a button to start or stop the last
gearbox report can be installed to worn
hand of the pilot - or the driver
The accompanying drawing is only an illustration of the invention.

With reference to this drawing, a PROMAX lever (1) with retarder (brakes, springs, notches), behind the steering wheel, selects the maximum speed allowed, from idling to the highest speed allowed on the engine. The switch (2) stops (3) or starts (4) the PROMAX (1). The dials (5) and (6) indicate the position of the PROMAX on the engine speeds and on the torque speeds. The indicators (7-8-9-10) indicate the display of the PROMAX speed (7), the display of the engine speed (8), the display of the torque speed (9) and the display of the torque speed
PROMAX (10). The warning light (11) indicates the gearbox reports. The dimly lit Parking (12) Reverse (12), Neutral (12), Drive (12), First (13) buttons light up as soon as they are activated. Changes from Drive to Reverse or from Drive to Parking or from Reverse to Parking, or from Reverse to Drive or Parking to Drive or Parking to Reverse are only possible when the vehicle is stationary. The activation of the First (13) can only work if the button
Drive (12) is pressed. As soon as the box goes into Second the First button (13) disconnects. The computer (14) selects the gear ratios according to the speed
PROMAX (1), vehicle speed and engine speed.

The accelerator (15) influences the engine speed by making the vehicle gain speed without exceeding the choice made by the driver - or the driver - on the PROMAX (1).

The brakes (16) act by reducing the speed and thereby lowering the ratios of the gearbox.

The clutch (17) separates the engine from the transmission.

There may be mechanical (18) or automatic (19) gearbox controls, but these controls have a PROMAX position. This PROMAX position can cancel the switch (2).

A button (20) on the steering wheel activates or disconnects the last gear ratio. Regardless of the position of the PROMAX if the vehicle speed is lower than the range of the last gear, the button is canceled and the computer selects the gear corresponding to the vehicle speed and the PROMAX speed.

For a better understanding of the PROMAX device for selecting the maximum engine speed, two examples are given
I - At the start of a motor racing event on a
snow-covered road, with a vehicle without traction control, the
pilot positions the PROMAX on idle speed, presses
on the brake pedal with the left foot, puts on
drive button, press the accelerator fully.

The engine is running at idle speed. On start signal
the pilot releases the brakes and positions the PROMAX at speed
he wants by avoiding spinning the drive wheels
and the vehicle starts, not necessarily on the first
report, then, if the vehicle is not spinning, it positions
PROMAX at a higher speed and the gearbox mounts
reports. If the drive wheels spin the driver can
dose by PROMAX or by the accelerator. On a BV at
nine gears the ranges are short and as soon as the engine
rises due to the slip of the driving wheels,
the computer mounts the reports. It would be desirable to
position the PROMAX on the best torque regime or at a
intermediate regime between the best power and the
best couple.

II - At the start of a timed rally event, with a
vehicle without anti-skid and without anti-lock brakes,
on asphalt coated road, dry and downhill, the pilot
positions the PROMAX at maximum power speed, puts
when operating the first gear ratio, press
on the accelerator by increasing the speed to 4000 revolutions per
minute. At the start signal the pilot starts
drive control and press the accelerator fully.

The vehicle starts on the first gear and, as soon as the
regime selected on the PROMAX is reached, the box
goes into second, then third and so on. A
curve requires to lighten the acceleration without braking so
not to get off the road, the box goes down one or more
reports so that the engine speed remains the
as close as possible to the PROMAX selection (in this case
the highest) without exceeding it, then re-accelerates. The
or reports - from BV goes up. Approaching the first corner, the pilot lifts his foot from the accelerator, brakes, the vehicle idles and the gearbox lowers its gears.

The pilot negotiates the turn and accelerates. The reports of the B.V. go up, the vehicle increases its speed.

At the end of the timed event, the pilot takes the liaison route to join the start of another timed event. It positions the PROMAX on a regime of good torque value.

The device for selecting the maximum engine speed means that the driver - or the driver - does not have to worry about the selection of gear ratios, even if there are a large number.

Claims (9)

1) PROMAX device (1) for selecting the maximum engine speed  for land vehicles with combustion engines, boxes  gears and possibly clutches characterized by  what it allows the pilot - or driver - to select  the maximum engine speed, from idle to the highest speed  high allowed on said motor.  reports according to this data.  accelerate the vehicle and the gearbox adapts the  Driver - Brakes and accelerator slow down or  maximum engine are the driver's main choices - or  speeds, vehicle speed and speed selection  Even if there are an unlimited number of gearbox reports  The driver - or the driver - "forgets" the gearbox.  overspeed.  The device (1) also prevents the engine from going up  brakes (16) clutch (17), vehicle speed.  device (1), gearbox, accelerator (15),  that, electronic, are used to operate the  Mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, electrical systems  disengages.  PROMAX (1) and the speed of the vehicle and, if necessary  motor cars blocked, the computer (14) favors the availability  declutching and accelerating. Same wheels  gearbox ratios by performing the double  accelerator (15), brakes (16) and selects the  maximum of the PROMAX device (1), of the vehicle speed,  Electronic management (14) receives plan information 2) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that it  includes a stop (3) or start-up switch (2)  operation (4) of the PROMAX device (1) if the vehicle has  no B.V. control lever with selection  PROMAX. 3) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that  engine speed (5) and torque (6) dials indicate  the position of the PROMAX control (1). 4) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that it  there are Parking (12), Reverse (12), Neutral (12) commands,  Drive (12) within reach of the driver - or the driver. 5) Device according to claims 1 and 4 characterized in  what a command of the first speed (13) of the B.V.  disconnect the first one whenever he wishes.  first order is canceled. The driver - or the driver  is put into action. As soon as the B.V. goes into second, the  if necessary and only works if the Drive control (12)  very close. This command is used to start the vehicle  is located near the Drive control (12), three centimeters 6) Device according to the preceding claims characterized  in that a clutch control (17) is installed on the  vehicle fitted with PROMAX (1). This command allows deso  lidarized the engine and transmission and is used by  the driver - or the driver - whenever he wants. 7) Device according to claims 1, 4, 5 and 6 characterized  in that a mechanical (18) or automatic B.V.  (19) is kept on the vehicle. This command must have  a PROMAX position and removes the switch (2) from the  second claim. 8) Device according to claims 1, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 9  characterized in that an indicator light (11) on the dashboard  inform the pilot - or the driver - of the type of report  B.V. used on the vehicle. 9) Device according to claims 1, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 9  characterized in that an operating button or  stop of the last report (20) of the B.V. is installed at  within reach of the pilot - or the driver