Methods and apparatus for limiting engine speed

• US 9,278,698 B2
• Filed: 04/23/2014
• Issued: 03/08/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Nagashima, Dan
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson, Paul N
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wilhelm, Timothy
• Application Number:
  US14/260,008
• Publication Number:
  US 20150306956A1
• Time in Patent Office: 685 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 26/02 of initiating means or elements
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/0064 using a remote, e.g. cordless, transmitter or receiver unit, e.g. remote keypad or mobile phone
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/1884 Avoiding stall or overspeed of the engine
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/085 Changing the parameters of the control units, e.g. changing limit values, working points by control input
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/604 Engine control mode selected by driver, e.g. to manually start particle filter regeneration or to select driving style
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 31/006 for maximum speed control
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 31/009 for maximum speed control
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 37/02 one of the functions being ignition
• CPC Class Codes: F02P 5/15 Digital data processing
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 Engine management systems

Abstract

Some embodiments are directed to an apparatus for limiting engine speed using any one of multiple engine components. The apparatus includes a user interface manually actuable to select at least one of the multiple engine components for limiting engine speed. The user interface includes an identification signal generator and transmitter that is configured to, upon selection of the multiple engine component(s), generate and transmit an identification signal that identifies the engine component(s) that was selected. The apparatus also includes a controller that is configured to, upon receipt of the identification signal, provide an instruction to the identified engine component(s), such that the identified engine component(s) operates to limit engine speed upon occurrence of conditions warranting that engine speed be limited.

Claims

1. An apparatus for limiting engine speed using multiple engine components, including a fuel injection system, an ignition system, and a throttle, the apparatus comprising:

a user interface that includes a fuel injection system option, an ignition system option, and a throttle option, the user interface is manually actuable to select at least one of the fuel injection system option, the ignition system option, and the throttle option for limiting engine speed via the respective one of the fuel injection system, the ignition system, and the throttle, the user interface including an identification signal generator and transmitter that is configured to, upon selection of the at least one of the fuel injection system option, the ignition system option, and the throttle option, generate and transmit an identification signal that identifies the at least one of the engine components that was selected; and

a controller that is configured to, upon receipt of the identification signal, provide an instruction to the identified at least one of the engine components, such that the identified at least one of the engine components operates to limit engine speed upon occurrence of conditions warranting that engine speed be limited.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

an engine speed sensor that senses and transmits engine speed to the controller, such that the controller determines whether conditions have arisen that warrant limitation of engine speed based on the sensed engine speed.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the user interface is configured to enable the manual selection of any one of, or any combination of, the fuel injection system, the ignition system, and the throttle to limit engine speed.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the user interface is disposed adjacent components for actuating shifting gears of the vehicle.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the user interface is disposed adjacent a gauge/meter indicating engine speed.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the user interface includes a touch screen display.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the user interface includes a display, and a manually operated switch that enables selection of the at least one of the engine components for limiting engine speed.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the user interface includes a processor that is separate from a standard vehicle control system.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the processor is a mobile device, such that the user is able to access an application of the mobile device to manually select at least one of the multiple engine components for limiting engine speed.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the mobile device transmits the identification signal wirelessly to the controller.

11. An engine system for limiting engine speed, comprising:

multiple engine components usable to limit engine speed, the multiple components including a fuel injection system, an ignition system, and a throttle;

a user interface that includes a fuel injection system option, an ignition system option, and a throttle option, the user interface is manually actuable to select at least one of the fuel injection system option, the ignition system option, and the throttle option for limiting engine speed via the respective one of the fuel injection system the ignition system, and the throttle, the user interface including an identification signal generator and transmitter that is configured to, upon selection of the at least one of the fuel injection system option, the ignition system option, and the throttle option, generate and transmit an identification signal that identifies the at least one of the engine components that was selected; and

a controller that is configured to, upon receipt of the identification signal, provide an instruction to the identified at least one of the engine components, such that the identified at least one of the engine components operates to limit engine speed upon occurrence of conditions warranting that engine speed be limited.

12. The system according to claim 11, further comprising:

an engine speed sensor that senses and transmits engine speed to the controller, such that the controller determines whether conditions have arisen that warrant limitation of engine speed based on the sensed engine speed.

13. The system according to claim 11, wherein the user interface is configured to enable the manual selection of any one of, or any combination of, the fuel injection system, the ignition system, and the throttle to limit engine speed.

14. The system according to claim 11, wherein the user interface is disposed adjacent components for actuating shifting gears of the vehicle.

15. The system according to claim 11, wherein the user interface is disposed adjacent a gauge/meter indicating engine speed.

16. The system according to claim 11, wherein the user interface includes a touch screen display.

17. The system according to claim 11, wherein the user interface includes a display, and a manually operated switch that enables selection of the at least one of the engine components for limiting engine speed.

18. The system according to claim 11, wherein the user interface includes a processor that is separate from a standard vehicle control system.

19. The system according to claim 18, wherein the processor is a mobile device, such that the user is able to access an application of the mobile device to manually select at least one of the multiple engine components for limiting engine speed.

20. A method for limiting engine speed using multiple engine components, including a fuel injection system, an ignition system, and a throttle, the method comprising:

providing a user with an ability to select each of the multiple engine components in order to limit engine speed;

generating and transmitting, upon selection of the at least one of the multiple engine components, an identification signal that identifies the at least one of the engine components that has been selected; and

providing, upon receipt of the identification signal, an instruction to the identified at least one of the engine components, such that the identified at least one of the engine components operates to limit engine speed upon occurrence of conditions warranting that engine speed be limited.