TACHOGRAPH INCLUDING MEANS FOR RECORDING ENGINE SPEED

Abstract: A tachograph includes recording means (4,5,6) responsive to a signal related to engine speed for recording an indication of the engine speed on a chart (1). The recording means is conditioned to provide a bar trace having different and readily distinguishable levels. Each level represents a threshold of engine speed which indicates that the engine speed is at or below the respective threshold and within a predetermined range. Setting means (8 or 9) are provided for adjusting the relationship between the levels and the predetermined thresholds so that the bar trace levels stay substantially the same but represent engine speed thresholds which are adjustably predetermined by the setting means.

Description: This invention relates to a tachograph with means for recording engine speed in the form of a bar trace on a tachograph chart. It is known to provide a tachograph with means for recording engine speed in the form of an analog trace on the back of a tachograph chart, the front of the chart being used to record vehicle speed, distance travelled and travelling and stationary periods. Where two charts are provided, for first and second drivers of the vehicle, the analog engine speed trace may be recorded on the back of the second driver chart. The back of a chart is utilised because there is insufficient space on the front of the chart to accommodate the width of the analog engine speed trace. For example, the width of the analog trace may be about 20mm and movement of the respective recording stylus would interfere with the movement of other styli that record vehicle speed, etc on the front of the chart. The latter method of recording engine speed has severe disadvantages.For example, where the second driver chart is used, the second chart is not in the same location as the first chart. Also, recording on the back of a chart creates problems and dfficulties when later analysing the data on the chart because the vehicle speed and engine speed are on different pieces of paper. Moreover, where the engine speed is recorded on the back of the chart, the analog trace runs in a different direction to the traces on the front of the chart because they rotate in respectively clockwise and anticlockwise directions. Furthermore, the charts are expensive because they need to be coated on both sides and this makes them difficult to handle. The fact that the recording is in the form of an analog display, where one degree of chart movement represents four minutes of time, can also lead to cluttered traces which are difficult to decipher. DE-A-1 146 679 discloses a tachograph wherein a further signal is superimposed on a basic signal so as to provide a single trace in which two different parameters are recorded. In one example, a step signal of a larger amplitude is superimposed on step signal of smaller amplitude. In another example, oscillating traces have different frequencies and the same amplitudes are recorded sequentially at different times. Generally speaking, manufacturers of vehicles and fleet operators are interested in two aspects of engine speed. First, they are interested in knowing whether or not the engine has been abused by running in excess of its rated speed. Second, they are interested in fuel economy which means that they wish to know when the engine has been used outside of predetermined economical revolutions. The present invention seeks to solve the above problems in an economical way whilst providing sufficient information about engine speed. The invention is defined by the appended Claims. A particular advantage of the invention is that the engine speed is recorded in a non-analog fashion, i.e. in the form of bands of bar traces having different preset levels relating to the kind of information required by a manufacturer or fleet owner. This means that the overall width of the bands representing the engine speed recording can be made much narrower than the recording band of an analog trace in the known tachograph. Hence, in a tachograph in accordance with the invention, an additional stylus can be provided for recording the engine speed trace on the same side of the chart as the information relating to vehicle operation (e.g. vehicle speed, distance travelled, etc.). This simplifies the construction of the tachograph and greatly facilitates analysis of the chart. Moreover, the bands of bar traces are more easily readable to determine fuel economy and whether or not the engine has been abused. Where the bar trace is recorded adjacent, e.g. traces relating to vehicel speed and distance travelled, each bar trace level can have two meanings, one of which would apply when the vehicle was stationary and the other which would apply when the vehicle is moving. Whereas a low engine speed is acceptable when the vehicle is stationary, this would not be the case where the engine is lugging when the vehicle is moving. In such a case, it is desirable to record a bar trace level only when a low engine speed could be harmful to the engine. In order to deal with this problem, the bar trace recording means can be made responsive to both engine speed and to a vehicle motion related signal. In this case, at least one of the bar trace levels represents an engine speed which is at or below a respective threshold, and within a predetermined range, depending on whether or not the vehicle is in motion. The bar trace recording means may also be made responsive to power take-off means, driven by a vehicle engine, whereby at least one of the bar trace levels represents a harmful engine speed when the engine is used to provide a power take-off when the vehicle is stationary. Preferably, a bar trace which relates to both engine speed and vehicle motion is made more distinctive than the other bar traces, for example, by recording such a level in an opposite direction from a base-line from which the other bar traces extend. The invention is particularly advantageous when applied to a tachograph having recording means arranged to record the engine speed bar trace on the same side of the chart as any other traces relating to the operation of the vehicle in which the tachograph is fitted. The recording means may comprise a microproceesor which is conditioned to supply an output to means for providing a bar trace drive in response to the signal which represents engine speed. Means are also provided for making a bar trace in response to such drive means. Preferably, the setting means, which are provided for adjusting the relationship between the bar trace levels and the predetermined thresholds, comprises either dual-in-line switches, or a keyboard. In the former case, the switches are preferably located within the tachograph and means are provided to enable only authorised users to gain access to the switches. In a second case, the keyboard is preferably disconnectable from the tachograph whereby it can be provided for operation by only authorised users. Embodiments of the invention will now be described with references to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig.1 depicts a tachograph chart having an engine speed bar trace in accordance with the invention, Fig.2 shows the bar trace on the enlarged scale (a linear trace being shown to simplify the drawing), Fig.3 schematically illustrates a recording arrangement embodying the invention, Fig.4 illustrates part of such arrangement in an alternative embodiment of the invention, and Fig.5 schematically illustrates a microprocessor which can be used in different embodiments of the invention and which shows various inputs and outputs. Referring to the accompanying drawings, the bar trace depicted in Fig. 1 and 2 can be recorded by the apparatus shown in Fig.3. Such apparatus comprises a tachograph chart 1 mounted on a turntable 2 of a motor drive 3. A stylus or recording pen 4, which is connected to a pen drive 5, records the bar trace on chart 1. The pen drive 5 is connected to a microprocessor 6. Microprocessor 6, pen drive 5 and pen 4 constitute recording means responsive to a signal relating to engine speed for recording an indication of the engine speed on the chart 1. An engine speed or RPM sensor 7 provides an input to microprocess or 6, e.g. in the form of "x" pulses per revolution of the engine. Micro processor 6 is programmed to respond to this engine speed input so as to provide a bar trace having different and readily distinguishable levels. These levels are shown more clearly in Fig.2 where they are shown to extend over intervals a-b, b-c, etc. The bar traces extend from a base-line f. These levels may represent the following information: Trace extent Level Engine Speed a-b Level(i) normal RPM b-c Level (ii) higher than normal RPM giving high fuel consumption. c-d Level(iii) excessive RPM liable to cause engine damage. d-e Level (iv) low engine RPM, (e.g. engine lugging). The bar trace levels normally represent constant predetermined engine speed thresholds but these thresholds, i.e. levels (i)-(iv), can be adjusted by setting means in the form of either dual-in-line (DIL) switches 8 (Fig.3) or a keyboard 9 (Fig.4). Any or all of the levels can be adjusted by the setting means. The bar traces are recorded by pen 1 which is caused to oscillate between the base line f and the respective threshold level. Where a threshold is exceeded, an excursion into the next threshold level is readily seen as a peak g against the normal threshold level (see Fig.2). Microprocessor 6 is programmed to respond to the input of the setting means and also the input of the engine speed sensor 7 so as to provide an appropriate signal to pen drive 5. If the engine speed does not exceed the preset threshold, the bar trace level remains the same. However, on exceeding a threshold, the next bar trace level is recorded on the chart. The DIL switches 8 are preferably housed in the tachograph casing in such a way as to provide only access to authorised users. For example, they may be housed (8a) in a part of the tachograph only accessible by means of a lock and key. Where a keyboard 9 is provided, this is preferably disconnectable, by means of a plug and socket connector 9a, so that the keyboard can be removed from the tachograph after setting the engine speed threshold. As shown in Fig.4, microprocessor 6 also receives inputs from a vehicle motion sensor 10 and from a power take-off sensor 11. Microprocessor 6 is programmed to respond to these inputs to provide a bar trace like that extending over the internal d-e in Fig.2. This bar trace extends in the opposite direction to base-line f than the direction of the bar traces in intervals a-d. The bar trace d-e, having level (iv), represents too low an engine speed when the vehicle is in motion. This is to distinguish from a low engine speed when the vehicle is stationary. Microprocessor 6 is programmed to respond to an input from the vehicle motion sensor 10 so as to cause bar trade d-e to be recorded. Similarly, bar trace d-e, or another bar trace, could represent engine speed when the vehicle is stationary but when the engine is being used for a power take-off. Other engine performance information could be derived in the same way. Since bar trace d-e extends in the opposite direction to the other bar traces, it is immediately discernible as an abuse of the engine. Fig.5 shows the microprocessor 6 in more detail together with its inputs and outputs. The inputs are in digital form, e.g. as supplied by a D/A converter (not shown) connected to the respective sensors. Inputs 7 and 12-14 respectively represent engine speed data, speed data, driver duty data and crew duty data. The outputs are in the form of drive signals which are supplied respectively to the following drive mechanisms: engine speed pen drive 5, distance pen drive 15, speed pen drive 16, driver duty pen drive 17 and crew duty pen drive 18. The pens driven by mechanisms 5 and 15-17 record traces on the front of one chart. The pen driven by mechanism 18 records a trace on a second chart. Switches 19 are also connected to microprocessor 6 in order to set a calibration factor for each of the inputs. A data output 20 is also provided. As the construction of the recording mechanisms, microprocessor 6, the various sensors 7, 10 and 11 and the DIL switches 8 and keyboard 9 are basically known, no detailed description thereof will be given. Similarly, the manner of programming microprocessor 6 will be generally known to those skilled in the art. The tachograph is provided with pen 4 along with other pens (not shown) so that the engine speed bar trace can be recorded on the same side of a tachograph chart (1) as traces relating to at least vehicle speed and distance travelled. Bar traces may also be recorded on the same side of the chart relating to information such as travelling and stationary periods and driver duty. Embodiments of the invention have been described by of example only since modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims: A tachograph comprising recording means (4,5,6) responsive to respective signals relating to engine speed, vehicle speed and distance travelled for recording traces relating to engine speed, vehicle speed and distance travelled on a chart (1), said recording means including an oscillating pen (4) for recording a bar trace on the chart (1), and means (3) for driving the chart with respect to time, characterised in that said pen (4) is caused to oscillate between a base line (f) and a respective threshold level (a-d) so as to record only engine speed as said bar trace on the same side of the chart (1) as traces which are recorded relating to vehicle speed and distance travelled, said recording means (4,5,6) is conditioned to cause said pen (4) to record bands of bar traces (a-b, b-c, c-d, d-e) on said chart (1), said bands of bar traces having different preset levels whereby each band indicates that the engine speed is within a respective predetermined range and each band serves as a background to facilitate recognition of an excursion (g) of engine speed beyond the respective threshold; setting means (8 or 9) also being provided for adjusting the relationship between said levels and said thresholds so that said levels stay substantially the same but represent engine speed thresholds which are adjustably predetermined by the setting means (8 or 9). A tachograph according to Claim 1 wherein at least one of said levels represents an engine speed which is at or below a respective threshold, and within a predetermined range, depending on whether or not the vehicle is in motion. A tachograph according to Claim 2 wherein the bar trace which has a level dependent on whether or not the vehicle is in motion is recorded in an opposite direction from said base-line (f) from which the other bar traces (a-d) extend. A tachograph according to any of the preceding Claims wherein said recording means (4,5,6) comprises a microprocessor (6) which is conditioned to supply an output to means (5) for providing a bar trace drive in response to said signal representing engine speed. A tachograph according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein said setting means (8,9) comprises dual-in-line switches (8) for adjusting said relationship between said levels and said predetermined thresholds, said switches (8) being located within the tachograph and further including means (8a) for providing only authorised access to said switches (8). A tachograph according to any one of Claims 1-4 wherein said setting means (8,9) includes a keyboard (9) and means (9a) for disconnecting said keyboard (9) from said tachograph, said keyboard (9) being provided for operation by an authorised user for adjusting said relationship between said levels and said predetermined thresholds.

Inventors: CLISH, FRANK
Applicants: VEEDER-ROOT LIMITED
Application year: 1987
Main classification: G01P1
IPC codes: G01D9, G07C5, G01P1