초록 ▼

A vehicle control unit is disclosed which can be coupled between a tachometer sensor and an electronic ignition system on a vehicle. The unit is also coupled to a speedometer sensor to measure the vehicle's speed. The vehicle control unit limits the vehicle speed by modifying the tachometer signal f

A vehicle control unit is disclosed which can be coupled between a tachometer sensor and an electronic ignition system on a vehicle. The unit is also coupled to a speedometer sensor to measure the vehicle's speed. The vehicle control unit limits the vehicle speed by modifying the tachometer signal from the tachometer sensor and providing the modified tachometer signal to the ignition system. The tachometer signal is a pulse train which is used by the electronic ignition system to determine ignition timing. The vehicle control unit limits both ground speed and engine speed by suppressing pulses from the original tachometer signal to prevent the combustion of fuel and thereby reduce engine power when the ground or engine speeds exceed predetermined limits. The vehicle control unit is microcontroller-based and preferably includes a logging function and an acceleration sensor. The microcontroller is coupled to the acceleration sensor to detect the peak accelerations experienced by the vehicle. The microcontroller stores peak accelerations above a predetermined limit, along with excessive ground and engine speeds, as part of a fault record a nonvolatile memory. The records can be examined by management personnel to identify reckless vehicle operators. Corrective action can then be taken to protect personnel and equipment. A handheld programming unit is also disclosed herein for programming the predetermined limits and for retrieving fault records. The programming unit can display and summarize fault records, and can be used to transport the fault information to a central computer system for archiving and more extensive analysis.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A vehicle which comprises:an engine configured to convert fuel into power for a drive mechanism, wherein the engine includes an electronic ignition system;a tachometer sensor coupled to the engine and configured to generate a tachometer signal which comprises a pulse se

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A vehicle which comprises:an engine configured to convert fuel into power for a drive mechanism, wherein the engine includes an electronic ignition system;a tachometer sensor coupled to the engine and configured to generate a tachometer signal which comprises a pulse sequence;a speedometer sensor coupled to the drive mechanism and configured to generate a speedometer signal which indicates a ground speed; anda vehicle control unit configured to receive the tachometer signal and the speedometer signal, and coupled to the electronic ignition system to provide a modified tachometer signal which comprises a modified pulse sequence, wherein the modified pulse sequence is derived by selectively passing and suppressing pulses from the pulse sequence, and wherein the vehicle control unit suppresses pulses when the ground speed exceeds a predetermined ground speed value,wherein the vehicle control unit includes a memory for logging faults, and wherein the vehicle control unit logs a ground speed fault when the ground speed exceeds the predetermined ground speed value by a predetermined margin, andwherein the control unit further includes a shock sensor configured to detect excessive accelerative forces, and wherein the vehicle control unit logs a shock fault when the accelerative force exceeds a predetermined force value.