Method and device for operation of an internal combustion engine in particular for a vehicle

• US 4,385,604 A
• Filed: 06/27/1980
• Issued: 05/31/1983
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Volkswagen AG
• Original Assignee: Volkswagen AG
• Inventors: Fiala, Ernst
• Primary Examiner(s): Cox, Ronald B.
• Application Number:
  US06/163,494
• Time in Patent Office: 1,068 Days
• Field of Search: 123/399, 123/361, 123/340, 123/389, 123/352, 123/360, 123/400, 123/401, 74/866
• US Class Current: 477/111
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 31/18 including a device to audibly, visibly, or otherwise signal the existence of unusual or unintended speed to the driver of the vehicle devices primarily intended for indicating speed to other traffic B60Q1/54
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 1/04 with fuel-air mixture admission into cylinder
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 77/084 indicating economy
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 11/00 Arrangements for, or adaptations to, non-automatic engine control initiation means, e.g. operator initiated specially for reversing F02D27/00
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 11/08 of the pneumatic type
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2009/0255 with means for correcting throttle position, e.g. throttle cable of variable length
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2009/0257 having a pin and slob connection ("Leerweg")
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2009/0267 for simultaneous action of a governor and an accelerator lever on the throttle
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 35/00 Controlling engines, dependent on conditions exterior or interior to engines, not otherwise provided for

Abstract

Controls are provided to directly or indirectly avoid operation of the internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle in a range of speed and output power which is detrimental to engine efficiency. The controls become operative upon attainment of a predetermined limit value for engine parameters.

Claims

1. A method for operating an internal combustion engine speed having an adjustable fuel proportioning device and having variable power output and variable rotational speed, to avoid operation at engine speeds and output powers corresponding to high fuel consumption, consisting of the steps of selecting a value of maximum speed for each value of engine output power, said selected values corresponding to greater speed than the value for maximum power output at selected fuel consumption, monitoring the output power and the rotational speed of said engine, and adjusting said fuel proportioning means to increase engine output only when said engine speed is greater than the selected value for the actual output power of the engine.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein said engine is controlled by an operator and wherein said adjusting step includes signaling said operator when said speed is greater than said selected value.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein said adjusting step is performed automatically by a control mechanism.

4. A method according to any of claims 1 to 3 wherein said engine is connected to a load by a multi-speed transmission, further including the step of changing said transmission to a higher speed when said engine speed is greater than said selected value.

13. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein there is provided a servo motor, actuated by said negative pressure in said intake manifold and wherein said servo motor is operatively connected with said fuel proportioning means and is provided within a vent valve which opens when said engine is idling.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13 wherein there is provided a negative pressure line between said servo motor and said intake manifold, wherein there is provided an electromagnetic valve in said line, and wherein said valve is opened upon actuation of said switch to connect said servo motor to said intake manifold.

19. Apparatus as specified in claim 14, wherein said electromagnetic valve has an additional excitation circuit for closing said valve upon reaching a preassigned rotational speed of said engine.

5. Apparatus for use in controlling operation of an internal combustion engine having an adjustable fuel proportioning device and having variable output power and variable rotational speed to avoid operation at engine speeds and output powers corresponding to high fuel consumption by adjusting said fuel proportioning means to increase engine output power when engine speed is greater than a predetermined value of engine speed for the current output power of the engine, comprising:

means for sensing at least one engine characteristic representative of at least one operating parameter selected from the group consisting of engine output power and negative pressure in an intake manifold which supplies a fuel/air mixture to said engine;

control means, responsive to the output of said sensing means, for providing an output only when said speed is greater than a selected value of maximum speed for the current output power of the engine, said selected value of maximum speed being greater than the engine speed value for maximum power output at a given fuel level; and

output means, responsive to said control means output, for causing adjustment of said fuel proportioning means.

6. Apparatus as specified in claim 5, wherein said internal combustion engine comprises a gasoline engine having a carburetor connected to an intake manifold for supplying a fuel/air mixture to said engine, and wherein said characteristic representative of a least one operating parameter comprises the negative pressure in said intake manifold, and wherein said predetermined value of engine speed is related to said intake manifold vacuum.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said sensing means comprises a passage connected to said intake manifold, wherein said control means comprises a negative pressure chamber connected to said passage and having a first spring resisting the movement of a wall of said chamber and wherein said control means comprises an electrical switch communicating with said movable wall and operative upon movement of said wall and a current source for providing said output when said switch is closed, and wherein said output means includes signaling means responsive to the closing of said switch.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said spring is integrated with the movable wall of the negative pressure chamber.

9. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said first spring is within said negative pressure chamber.

10. Apparatus according to any of claims 7 through 9 wherein the movable wall of the negative pressure chamber is acted upon by a second spring whose tension depends on the adjustment of the fuel proportioning means.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said second spring acts against said first spring, and wherein the tension of said second spring is greater when the fuel proportioning means is adjusted in the direction of full load.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein there is provided a lever arranged between said switch and said movable wall of said negative pressure chamber, and wherein said lever is acted on by said second spring.

15. Apparatus according to claim 5, for controlling operation of an internal combustion engine including a fuel injection pump, wherein said pump includes a control bar, wherein said predetermined values correspond to a constant setting of said control bar.

16. Apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said constant setting corresponds to approximately 80 percent of the maximum available fuel injection quantity per pump stroke.

17. Apparatus according to claim 16 wherein there is provided a switch for operating a signaling device in operative connection with a lever constituting the control means and connected to said control bar and a gas pedal.

18. Apparatus as specified in claim 5, for controlling operation of an internal combustion engine connected to a multiple speed transmission, and including a switch for disconnecting said output means when said transmission is in its highest gear.

20. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said predetermined value of engine speed comprises an approximately constant value of rotational speed for all output powers of said engine, wherein said means for sensing comprises means for sensing engine rotational speed, and wherein said control means comprises a switch which closes upon the attainment of said speed thereby to close a circuit, and wherein there is provided an additional switch, operative upon the attainment of a selected throttle control position, for opening said circuit.

21. Apparatus as specified in claim 5 wherein there are provided second control means responsive to the attainment of engine rotational speeds having second lower values than said predetermined values and having lower values than the values corresponding to maximum output power at a predetermined fuel consumption, and responsive to an operating characteristic of the engine, and second output means responsive to said second control means for causing an output signal when said rotational speed is less than said second values.

22. Apparatus according to claim 21 wherein said second output means comprises an indicating instrument.

23. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said preassigned values of engine speed determine pairs of values for throttle flap setting and intake duct vacuum.

24. Apparatus according to claim 5, for use in connection with an engine having a transmission with multiple speeds, and further including an indicating instrument for giving an indication of fuel consumption, and a switching device for connecting said indicating instrument to the intake manifold of the engine when the transmission is in its highest gear.

25. Apparatus according to claim 24 further including an electromagnetic valve system, a switch activated when the gas pedal is in its idling position, a control switch actuated when the highest gear of the transmission is engaged, said control means and said switches being arranged so that the electromagnetic valves connect the fuel consumption indicator to the intake manifold when the highest gear is engaged and connect a negative pressure chamber actuating a throttle control to the intake duct when the highest gear is not engaged, the negative pressure chamber operating a switch for indicating the desirability of a change in transmission gear at a preassigned intake manifold vacuum.