High performance tachometer

• US 5,905,374 A
• Filed: 05/16/1996
• Issued: 05/18/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Auto Meter Products Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Auto Meter Products Incorporated
• Inventors: Westberg, John V., Joyce, Timothy D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Patidar, Jay M.
• Application Number:
  US08/649,018
• Time in Patent Office: 1,097 Days
• Field of Search: 324/143-146, 324/160, 324/166, 324/170, 324/161, 324/163, 324/168, 324/169, 324/178, 364/424.01-424.04, 364/560, 364/565, 364/566, 340/992, 340/441, 340/456, 340/466, 235/104
• US Class Current: 324/160
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 1/08 Arrangements of scales, pointers, lamps or acoustic indicators, e.g. in automobile speedometers

Abstract

A high performance tachometer for use in high performance racing vehicles, such as dragsters, is disclosed. The tachometer has an input signal indicative of the vehicular engine speed and an output display for displaying the instantaneous engine speed as indicated by the input signal. The tachometer includes input controls for directing the control and operation of the tachometer. Special features associated with the tachometer include a memory device configured to store the value of the input signal at periodic and discrete time intervals, as directed by the input controls; a special event detector configured to detect a certain predetermined event or pattern of the input signal as determined by monitoring the output of the memory device, the special event detector being further configured to halt or freeze the output display (both deflection needle and digital readout) upon detection of the predetermined event or pattern output from the memory device; a multi-stage RPM switch is included to operatively control a plurality of controlled devices. The system is designed to allow the user to program the RPM switch to operate the controlled devices at a plurality of engine speeds. In addition, an automatic starting feature is provided. The automatic starting feature of a preferred embodiment is initiated in connection with the activation of the Line-Loc switch.

Claims

1. A high performance tachometer having an input signal indicative of the vehicular engine speed and an output display for displaying the engine speed as indicated by the input signal, the tachometer comprising in combination:

input controls for directing the control and operation of the tachometer;

a memory device electrically connected to the input signal, the memory device storing the input signal at periodic and discrete time intervals, as directed by the input controls;

a special event detector configured to detect a certain pattern of the input signal stored in said memory device, the special event detector being further configured to halt the display of said output signal on the output display upon detection of the pattern of the input signal, said pattern indicating a predetermined event; and

a controller that is electrically connected among the input controls, the memory device, and the special event detector, the controller designed to control and synchronize the operation among the input controls, the memory device, and the special event detector.

2. The high performance tachometer according to claim 1, wherein the special event detector is configured to monitor the output of the memory device.

3. The high performance tachometer according to claim 1, wherein the special event detector is configured to monitor the input signal.

4. The high performance tachometer according to claim 1, wherein the special event detector is configured to detect maximum signal values in the input signal, the maximum signal values corresponding to instances of maximum engine RPM.

5. The high performance tachometer according to claim 4, where the special event detector is also configured to detect relative minimum signal values in the input signal, the minimum signal values corresponding to instances of minimum engine RPM.

6. The high performance tachometer according to claim 5, wherein the special event detector affects the output display by halting the output display in its operative state at the point where the special events are detected.

7. The high performance tachometer according to claim 1, wherein the special event detector affects the output display by halting the output display in its operative state at the point where the special event is detected.

8. The high performance tachometer according to claim 1, wherein the special event detector is configured to detect relative minimum signal values in the input signal, the minimum signal values corresponding to instances of minimum engine RPM.

9. The high performance tachometer according to claim 1, further including an output signal that is indicative of the information stored within the memory device, as that information is output therefrom.

10. The high performance tachometer according to claim 9, wherein the output signal is conditioned so that the signal line may be connected to a speaker.

11. The high performance tachometer according to claim 9, wherein the output signal is conditioned so that a signal line may be connected to a computer for downloading the information stored within the memory device to the computer.

12. The high performance tachometer according to claim 9, wherein the output signal is conditioned so that a signal line may be connected to a printer for creating a tangible record of the information stored in the memory device.

13. The high performance tachometer according to claim 12, wherein the output signal is conditioned so as to direct the printer to create a record that graphically illustrates the information stored within the memory device.

14. The high performance tachometer according to claim 12, wherein the output signal is conditioned so as to direct the printer to create a record that numerically illustrates the information stored within the memory device.

15. The high performance tachometer according to claim 1, wherein said tachometer is used in a racing event and the output display includes a digital readout that displays the elapsed time of the racing event during a playback of said memory.

16. The high performance tachometer according to claim 1, including a communication link for coupling the input controls to the controller, allowing the input control to be remotely located from the tachometer body.

17. The high performance tachometer according to claim 1, further including an RPM switch coupled to a controlled device, the RPM switch effecting the operation of the controlled device in response to the engine speed.

18. The high performance tachometer according to claim 17, wherein the RPM switch controls a two stage shift light, whereby the shift light illuminates at a plurality of distinct engine speeds to instruct the driver to shift gears.

19. The high performance tachometer according to claim 17, wherein the RPM switch is adapted to control a plurality of controlled devices.

20. The high performance tachometer according to claim 1, wherein the output display included a preprinted multiple range scale.

21. A high performance tachometer having an input signal indicative of the vehicular engine speed and an output display for displaying the engine speed as indicated by the input signal, the tachometer comprising in combination:

input controls for directing the control and operation of the tachometer;

a memory device electrically connected to the input signal, the memory device storing the input signal at periodic and discrete time intervals, as directed by the input controls;

an output signal that is indicative of the information stored within the memory device, as that information is output therefrom;

a special event detector configured to detect a certain pattern of the input signal stored in said memory device, the special event detector being further configured to halt the display of said output signal on said output display upon detection of the pattern of the input signal said pattern indicating a predetermined event;

triggering means for automatically indicating the start of the racing event and activating said memory in response thereto; and

a controller that is electrically connected among the input controls, the memory device, and the output signal, the controller designed to control and synchronize the operation among the input controls, the memory device, and the output signal.

22. The high performance tachometer according to claim 21, wherein the output signal is conditioned so that the signal line may be connected to a speaker.

23. The high performance tachometer according to claim 21, wherein the output signal is conditioned so that the signal line may be connected to a computer for downloading the information stored within the memory device to the computer.

24. The high performance tachometer according to claim 21, wherein the output signal is conditioned so that the signal line may be connected to a printer for creating a tangible record of the information stored in the memory device.

25. The high performance tachometer according to claim 24, wherein the output signal is conditioned so as to direct the printer to create a record that graphically illustrates the information stored within the memory device.

26. The high performance tachometer according to claim 24, wherein the output signal is conditioned so as to direct the printer to create a record that numerically illustrates the information stored within the memory device.

27. The high performance tachometer of claim 21 wherein said output display includes a digital clock for displaying elapsed time.

28. A high performance tachometer having an input signal indicative of the vehicular engine speed, the tachometer comprising in combination:

input controls for directing the control and operation of the tachometer;

a memory device electrically connected to the input signal, the memory device storing the value of the input signal at periodic and discrete time intervals, as directed by the input controls, said memory device using dynamic memory allocation to store said values;

a controller that is electrically connected among the input signal, input controls, and the memory device, the controller designed to control and synchronize the operation among the input signal, input controls, and the memory device, the controller being further configured to maximize the usage of available memory space.

29. The high performance tachometer according to claim 28, wherein the data values are compressed by partitioning the data values into mantissa and exponent portions, and storing the exponent portion only when different from the value of the previously stored exponent portion, said memory partitioned into a plurality of pages, each of said pages storing a single racing event.

30. The high performance tachometer according to claim 28 wherein said controller is designed to display informative messages.

31. The high performance tachometer according to claim 30, wherein said informative messages include diagnostic messages.

32. The high performance tachometer according to claim 30, wherein said informative messages include user prompts.

33. A high performance tachometer having an input signal indicative of the vehicular engine speed and an output display for displaying the engine speed as indicated by the input signal for a racing vehicle traveling laps around a track, comprising:

input controls for directing the control and operation of the tachometer;

a memory device electrically connected to the input signal, the memory device storing the input signal as data values at periodic and discrete time intervals, as directed by the input controls, said memory device partitioned into a plurality of pages, each of said pages storing a single racing event;

an output signal that is indicative of the information stored within the memory device, as that information is output therefrom;

a controller that is electrically connected among the input controls, the memory device, and the output signal, the controller designed to control and synchronize the operation among the input controls, the memory device, and the output signal; and

lap timing means for providing a lap signal at the completion of a lap, said controller inserting a mark in said memory device in response thereto.

34. A high performance tachometer having an input signal indicative of the vehicular engine speed and an output display for displaying the engine speed as indicated by the input signal, the tachometer comprising in combination:

input controls for directing the control and operation of the tachometer;

a memory device electrically connected to the input signal, the memory device storing the input signal at periodic and discrete time intervals, as directed by the input controls;

a special event detector configured to detect a certain pattern of the input signal as said pattern occurs and placing a mark in memory upon detection of said pattern, the special event detector being further configured to halt the display of said output signal on the output display upon detection of said mark in memory said mark indicating a predetermined event; and

a controller that is electrically connected among the input controls, the memory device, and the special event detector, the controller designed to control and synchronize the operation among the input controls, the memory device, and the special event detector.

35. A high performance tachometer having an input signal indicative of the vehicular engine speed and an output display for displaying the engine speed as indicated by the input signal, the tachometer comprising in combination:

input controls for directing the control and operation of the tachometer;

a memory device electrically connected to the input signal, the memory device the input signal at periodic and discrete time intervals, as directed by the input controls;

an output signal that is indicative of the information stored within the memory device, as that information is output therefrom;

a special event detector configured to detect a certain pattern of the input signal as said pattern occurs and placing a mark in memory upon detection of said pattern, the special event detector being further configured to halt the display of said output signal on the output display upon detection of said mark in memory said mark indicating a predetermined event;

triggering means for automatically indicating the start of the racing event and activating said memory in response thereto; and

a controller that is electrically connected among the input controls, the memory device, and the output signal, the controller designed to control and synchronize the operation among the input controls, the memory device, and the output signal.

36. A high performance tachometer having an input signal indicative of the vehicular engine speed and an output display for displaying the engine speed as indicated by the input signal, comprising in combination:

a memory device electronically connected to said input signal, said memory storing the value of said input signal during the racing event;

input controls for directing the control and operation of the tachometer;

triggering means for automatically indicating the start of the racing event and activating said memory in response thereto;

playback means for displaying said value of said input signal over said racing event on said output display;

a controller that is electrically connected among the input controls, the memory device, playback means, and the triggering means, said controller controlling and synchronizing the operation of the input controls, memory device, playback means, and triggering means.