Teaching indicator for efficient vehicle gearshift operation
First Claim
1. Driving aid apparatus coupled with a motor vehicle means including manual gearshift transmission means, wherein the apparatus combines at least two dynamic signals provided by means responsive to the condition of engine speed, gearing selection, and effective load coupling, to provide driver indication for obtaining opportune gearshift changes, furthermore comprising:
- signal combining means coupled with said dynamic signals and effective to combine the instant values thereof to produce at least a gearshift indicant signal output therefrom;
predetermining means coupled with said combining means and effective therewith to variously modify the effective combination of the dynamic signals in proportion to any predetermined signal values; and
,indicator means coupled with said indicant signal and effective to provide the driver with indication for at least one of impending upshift, impending downshift, and a figurative signal of which gearing range should be engaged.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Driving aid apparatus for use with a motor vehicle having a manual gearshift transmission and clutch, and providing the driver with guidance for the correct upshift or downshift timing which can contribute to fuel savings and less mechanical abuse of the vehicle'"'"'s drive train. The exact upshift or downshift indication is computed from engine speed, gear combination, engine loading, and other influential factors including engine temperature, vehicle speed, vehicle loading, and transmission temperature. The driver is provided with a manual adjustment, in the form of a dashboard mounted control, which enables the selection of driving conditions which best suit the driver'"'"'s individual needs. Through this adjustable control, the driver can establish a shift timing sequence which leads to maximum fuel economy, or alternatively he can optimize the vehicle'"'"'s performance in the sense of acceleration and speed. Custom programmed memory elements further provide a predetermined vehicle performance profile which enables the computed shift points, for the individual motor vehicle, to be best tailored to the optimum performance conditions which may be expected from the vehicle'"'"'s particular combination of weight, gear ratio, and horsepower. In concert with the clear visual or audible indication afforded the driver as to when an upshift or downshift should occur, the driving aid also provides a digital display figure indication of the gearing into which the transmission ought to be shifted together with a separate real time digital indication which clearly shows the gear selection which is presently engaged. A warning indication occurs whenever the driver improperly "rides" the clutch pedal of the vehicle.
-
Citations
25 Claims
-
1. Driving aid apparatus coupled with a motor vehicle means including manual gearshift transmission means, wherein the apparatus combines at least two dynamic signals provided by means responsive to the condition of engine speed, gearing selection, and effective load coupling, to provide driver indication for obtaining opportune gearshift changes, furthermore comprising:
-
signal combining means coupled with said dynamic signals and effective to combine the instant values thereof to produce at least a gearshift indicant signal output therefrom; predetermining means coupled with said combining means and effective therewith to variously modify the effective combination of the dynamic signals in proportion to any predetermined signal values; and
,indicator means coupled with said indicant signal and effective to provide the driver with indication for at least one of impending upshift, impending downshift, and a figurative signal of which gearing range should be engaged. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24)
-
-
22. Driving aid apparatus of claim 22 wherein said vehicle performance profile values are uniquely predetermined for the individual motor vehicle means.
-
25. Driving aid apparatus coupled with a motor vehicle means including manual gearshift transmission means, comprising therefor:
-
first source means of dynamic signal derived from the instant condition of at least one of engine speed, gearing selection, and effective load coupling; second source means of predetermining signals derived from the instant values provided by at least one of operator adjustable performance selector means, and vehicle performance profile memory means; combinatorial control means having input means coupled with said first and second source means and effective to combine said signals into at least a shift opportunity output signal; and
,indicator means coupled with said output signal, effective to provide the driver with indication for at least one of impending upshift, impending downshift, and a figurative signal depicting which gearing range should be engaged.
-
Specification