SPEED CONTROL UNIT

Abstract: The system comprises a speed control unit and a test unit. The control unit has a Hall effect transducer for producing a signal representative of vehicle speed and a comparator(3) for comparing that signal with a voltage reference source(6, 27, 28) from which a control signal may be produced to control the vehicle throttle in the event of a disparity so as to maintain vehicle speed at a preset limit. The test unit is employed to set the voltage reference source (6, 27, 28).

Description: The present invention relates to a speed control unit, particularly but not exclusively for vehicles and to a test unit for such a speed control unit. Such speed control units are already known and operate satisfactorily. However, they are difficult to set particularly for higher speeds. Also once installed in the vehicle, satisfactory operation is difficult to check. Further, it is possible for the unit to malfunction and interfere with the operation of the vehicle in an undesirable way. Documents GB-A-2046478 (D1) and US-A-3983954 (D2) both describe systems which can only be calibrated for a high speed when the vehicle to which they are attached is being driven at, or close to, that speed at which they are intended to operate. According to the present invention there is provided a speed control unit comprising means enabling the unit to be calibrated at a low speed so as to provide a calibration ratio and then to calibrate for a higher speed; the calibration of the vehicle for a higher speed being carried out at zero speed. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a test unit for a speed control unit comprising means for generating a signal of given frequency, means for generating a signal of a variable frequency, a frequency counter for measuring the frequency of the signal from either of the means for generating and a display for displaying the measurement whereby the frequency of an input signal can be measured by comparison with the first mentioned means for generating and by appropriate adjustment of the second means for generating the displayed measurement may be altered by a factor to represent the speed directly on the display which the frequency corresponds to. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a voltage reference input to a voltage comparator is calibrated against a test frequency input from the test unit. In operation the output from the comparator is fed via a monostable and power control to a solenoid which controls the throttle of a vehicle whose speed is to be controlled. A fault monitoring circuit monitors the operation and overrides the control circuit in the event of a fault. A time duration dependant override of the control is also provided for. Indicators, which advantageously are L.E.D.s, are provided to indicate a fault condition and when the voltage reference source or sources has been correctly adjusted. In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, several embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 is a block circuit diagram of one form of speed control circuit for a vehicle, Figure 2 is a block circuit diagram of another form of speed control circuit for a vehicle which provides for multiple speed settings, Figure 3 is a block circuit diagram of a test unit for the speed control circuits of Figures 1 and 2, and Figure 4 is a diagram of throttle control on a speed controlled vehicle. Referring to Figure 1, the circuit into which, in use, a pulse waveform generated by a Hall effect transducer fitted to a gearbox of the vehicle is injected comprises a bandpass filter 1, frequency to voltage converter 2, voltage comparator 3, monostable 4, and power control 5. A potentiometer 6 provides a voltage reference source for one input of the voltage comparator and a fault monitoring circuit 7 is connected to the monostable 4 and power control 5 and through a "crowbar" switch 8 and fuse 9 to the positive terminal 10 of the battery of the vehicle to which the circuit is connected. A fault indicator 11, which may be a light emitting diode or other appropriate element, is connected across the fuse 9. The battery is also connected through a filter 12 and 12/24 volt changeover switch 13 to a voltage regulator 14 which is operative to supply the various parts of the circuit with power supply at the appropriate voltage. A time circuit 15 is provided for controlling the application of an override signal to monostable 4. A further indicator 17, which may also be a light emitting diode or other appropriate element, is connected to the output of power control circuit 5. The output from circuit 5 is fed to a solenoid which in turn controls operation of the vehicle throttle. The circuit of Figure 2 is similar to the circuit of Figure 1 (equivalent parts bear the same reference numerals). As compared with the arrangement of Figure 1, however, provision is made for speed control at four separate speeds. To this end, a range selector 20 having four switches A, B, C and D, four display selector switches 21 to 24 corresponding respectively to switches A to D and driver logic 25 and a digital display 26 are provided. The range selector 20 and display switches 21 to 24 are connected to a voltage reference source 27 which is operative to provide reference voltages corresponding to speeds selected by switches A, B, C and D. This source is connected through an analogue switch 28 to one input of comparator 3 as in the embodiment of Figure 1. Referring to Figure 3, the test unit circuit comprises a frequency counter 32 which may be connected in operation through a changeover switch 31 to a frequency generator 30 or to the Hall effect transducer. The counter 32 may also be connected through a further changeover switch 33 to a variable time oscillator 34 or a 1MHz crystal controlled oscillator 35. The frequency counter is also connected to a 3 digit display 36. The test unit power supply comprises a 120/240 volt voltage selector 37, a battery charger 38 and a nickel cadmium rechargeable battery 39. Referring to Figure 4, the solenoid, referenced 40, controls the operation of the vehicle throttle by controlling flow of air from the vehicle air system to a hydraulic piston and cylinder device 41. This latter device operates a spring loaded piston 42 which is connected to the throttle. If the solenoid is actuated the throttle begins to close and vice versa. The setting up of the test unit and of the circuit of Figure 1 will now be described. The vehicle to which the speed control circuit is fitted is driven at a low speed, conveniently on a rolling road, say 20mph. The frequency of the pulse waveform (say 40Hz) generated by the Hall effect transducer, which is proportional to the speed of the vehicle is measured by comparison with the output of oscillator 35. Switch 31 connects the transducer output to counter 32 for this purpose and is then switched over to connect generator 30 to the counter 32. A frequency count (shown on display 36) is then generated by adjusting generator 30 which is the same as that generated by the transducer for the 20mph speed, that is 40Hz. Switch 33 is then switched over to disconnect oscillator 35 from and connect oscillator 34 to the frequency counter 32. Oscillator 34 is then adjusted to give a reading of 20mph on display 36 while the generator is generating the 40Hz frequency. The unit is now calibrated to that particular vehicle. To set up the speed control circuit for a speed of say 60mph the generator 30 is adjusted to give a frequency equivalent to that speed (that is 3 x 40Hz = 120Hz) and this frequency is injected into the circuit through the test input socket on Figure 1. The voltage reference source 6 is adjusted for zero ouptut from the voltage comparator which is indicated by the indicator switching between off and on. The circuit is then set. In normal operation of the circuit, the waveform from the Hall effect transducer is fed into the circuit via the transducer input socket. Bandpass filter 1 eliminates unwanted frequencies so that illegal signals do not interfere with the operation of the system. The clear signal is passed through the frequency to voltage converter 2 producing a d.c. voltage proportional to the frequency and hence the vehicle speed. This d.c. voltage is compared with the reference voltage Vref such that when Vref is exceeded a signal is output from the comparator 3 to a monostable circuit 4. The purpose of the monostable is to provided a pulse long enough to operate an external solenoid. Thus if the comparator output is just a pulse, the solenoid will operate correctly. If the comparator output is continuous the monostable output will remain operated. The power control converts the monostable output to a sufficient power to operate the solenoid. L.E.D. indicator 17 illuminates when the solenoid is activated. During operation the fault monitoring circuit 7 checks that the signal at the output to solenoid is correct with the signal from the monostable circuit 4. If these are not compatible a serious operational fault could result causing vehicle failure. The fault monitoring circuit checks for this condition, and should it occur operates a crowbar circuit, rupturing the main supply fuse 9 and illuminating the fault L.E.D. 11. With no supply to the circuit, the vehicle reverts to normal operation. Each time the vehicle ignition is on the L.E.D. will give a permanent indication of fuse failure. A test socket is provided to allow test and calibration using the test unit of Figure 3. The ability to monitor and measure the incoming frequency allows calibration of road speed versus frequency. Also a frequency generated by speed and thus calibrate the unit whilst stationary for display on the test unit. The setting up and operation of the circuit of Figure 2 is similar to that of the circuit of Figure 1 for each of the speeds provided for. As described above, the speed at which the system operates is determined by the reference voltage fed to the comparator 3. In the case of Figure 1 this is provided by potentiometer 6. In the case of Figure 3, this is provided by one of four potentiometers selected by pushing the appropriate one of buttons A to D of range selector 20. These potentiometers are calibrated as described previously. Each display selector switch 21 to 24 comprises two rotary switches which may be adjusted to give a desired speed reading up to 99. Display 26 displays the speed currently selected. The override facility is incorporated to allow an immediate change to non-speed limited operation. When operated from an external switch timing circuit 15 is initiated which inhibits the solenoid signal for predetermined time. The digital speed display 26 (in the case of the circuit of Figure 3) retains its current setting but flashes to signify the override condition. After the time period the system reverts to the condition prior to the override command. It will be appreciated that the above embodiments have been described by way of example only and that many variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the throttle could be operated electrically if desired.

Claims: A speed control unit comprising means (6) enabling the unit to be calibrated at a low speed so as to provide a calibration ratio and then using this ratio to calibrate for a higher speed using the result of the calibration at a low speed; the calibration of the vehicle for a higher speed being carried out at zero speed. A speed control unit as claimed in claim 1, in which the means enabling the unit to be calibrated comprises a reference source (6) which is adjusted to give a desired output during the calibration procedure. A speed control unit as claimed in claim 2, in which a comparator (3) is provided having one input connected to the reference source and another input connected to means (1, 2) for producing a signal representative of the speed of the vehicle being tested. A speed control unit as claimed in claim 3, in which the means for producing a signal includes a Hall effect transducer adapted to be positioned adjacent the vehicle gearbox. A speed control unit as claimed in claim 4, in which the transducer is connected to a circuit comprising a bandpass filter (1) a frequency to voltage converter, a voltage comparator, a monostable(4) and a power control (5). A speed control unit as claimed in any preceding claim, in which a fault monitoring circuit(7) provided. A speed control unit as claimed in claim 5, in which a time override circuit(15)provided for overriding the output from the monostable(4). A speed control unit as claimed in claim 5, in which the power control is connected to a solenoid for controlling the operation of a vehicle throttle. A speed control unit as claimed in any preceding claim, in which a range selector is provided for speed control at a plurality of separate speeds. A test unit for a speed control unit comprising means for generating a signal of a given frequency, means for generating a signal of a variable frequency, a frequency counter for measuring the frequency of the signal from either of the means for generating and a display for displaying the measurement whereby the frequency of an input signal can be measured by comparison with the first mentioned means for generating and by appropriate adjustment of the second means for generating the displayed measurement may be altered by a factor to represent the speed directly on the display which the frequency corresponds to. A speed control system comprising a speed control unit as claimed in any of claims 1 to 10 and a test unit as claimed in claim 10.

Inventors: NIELD, ERIC LESLIE
Applicants: ROMATIC LIMITED
Application year: 1986
Main classification: B60K31
IPC codes: B60K31