Shifting timing indicating system for a vehicle

• US 4,683,455 A
• Filed: 07/01/1985
• Issued: 07/28/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 07/04/1984
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
• Original Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
• Inventors: Yamada, Toshihiro, Kido, Yoshinobu
• Primary Examiner(s): Crosland, Donnie L.
• Application Number:
  US06/750,511
• Time in Patent Office: 757 Days
• Field of Search: 340/52 R, 340/52 D, 340/62, 74/DIG. 7, 74/336 R, 74/855, 200/61.88, 180/170, 180/171, 180/282, 364/424.1, 364/431.07, 364/442, 364/550, 364/565, 434/71, 368/5, 368/6, 324/391, 73/116
• US Class Current: 340/439
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0236 for economical driving
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2059/183 Rate of change of accelerator position, i.e. pedal or throttle change gradient
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 61/08 Timing control
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 63/42 Ratio indicator devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/84 Data processing systems or methods, management, administration
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 74/07 Indicators-sensors and meters

Abstract

A shifting timing indicating system for a vehicle includes a control circuit having an engine rpm sensor for detecting the engine rpm and a rpm comparator which receives the output of the engine rpm sensor and determines whether the engine rpm exceeds a preset value. The control circuit outputs a shift-up signal when the engine rpm exceeds the preset value. A shift-up indicator receives the shift-up signal from the control circuit and makes a shift-up display to direct the operator of the vehicle to shift up. An acceleration detecting circuit detects the rate of increase in engine load and the shift-up indicator is inhibited from making the shift-up display for a predetermined time interval which is extended with increase in the rate of increase in engine load.

Claims

1. A shifting timing indicating system for a vehicle comprising a control means having an engine rpm detecting means for detecting the engine rpm and a rpm determination means which receives the output of the engine rpm detecting means and determines whether the engine rpm exceeds a preset value, the control means outputting a shift-up signal when the engine rpm exceeds the preset value, and a shift-up indicating means which receives the shift-up signal from the control means and makes a shift-up indication to direct the operator of the vehicle to shift up, wherein the improvement comprises an engine load detecting means for detecting the engine load;

an acceleration detecting means responsive to said engine load detecting means to detect the rate of increase in engine load and restricting means responsive to said acceleration detecting means to inhibit the shift-up indicating means from making the shift-up indication when the rate of increase in engine load is greater than a predetermined positive value.

2. A shifting timing indicating system as defined in claim 1 in which said restricting means prevents said shift-up indicating means from receiving the shift-up signal for a predetermined time interval.

3. A shifting timing indicating system as defined in claim 1 in which said restricting means comprises a delay means which delays delivery of the shift-up signal to the shift-up indicating means for a predetermined time interval after the time the detected engine rpm exceeds the preset value.

4. A shifting timing indicating system as defined in claim 3 in which said predetermined time interval is extended as the rate of increase in engine load increases.

5. A shifting timing indicating system as defined in claim 4 in which said predetermined time interval is linearly extended as the rate of increase in engine load increases.

6. A shifting timing indicating system as defined in claim 1 in which said restricting means raises said preset value as the rate of increase in engine load increases.

7. A shifting timing indicating system as defined in claim 1 in which said control means further includes an engine load detecting means for detecting engine load, and a load determination means which receives the output of the engine load detecting means and determines whether the engine load is lighter than a preset value, whereby the control means outputs the shift-up signal when the engine rpm is higher than the preset value and the engine load is lighter than the preset value.

8. A shifting timing indicating system as defined in claim 7 in which said restricting means prevents said shift-up indicating means from receiving the shift-up signal for a predetermined time interval.

9. A shifting timing indicating system as defined in claim 7 in which said restricting means comprises a delay means which delays delivery of the shift-up signal to the shift-up indicating means for a predetermined time interval after the time the detected engine rpm exceeds the preset value.

10. A shifting timing indicating system as defined in claim 9 in which said predetermined time interval is extended as the rate of increase in engine load increases.

11. A shifting timing indicating system as defined in claim 7 in which said restricting means raises said preset value as the rate of increase in engine load increases.