US4252208A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for operating a motor vehicle
Assignee: Volkswagen AG
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Filing: 1978-10-27
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Granted: 1981-02-24
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Expires: 1998-10-27
Abstract
Abstract A motor vehicle and a method of operation thereof. The method and apparatus relate to motor vehicles having an internal combustion engine for driving the vehicle and a flywheel coupled to the engine for equalizing the non-uniformity of the engine output torque. In accordance with the invention, at operating conditions wherein both the engine does not drive the vehicle and the flywheel rotates above a predetermined minimum speed, the coupling between the engine and the flywheel is automatically interrupted and the engine is stopped. Upon termination of these operating conditions, the flywheel is re-coupled to the engine to restart the engine. The coupling is preferably a controllable clutch arranged between the engine and flywheel, and the interruption of the coupling between the engine and flywheel is controlled as a function of one or more parameters representative of the operating state of the vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 Paulus Heidemeyer
- 👤 Peter Hofbauer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 15:39
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16D; F16D47/00; B; B60; B60K; B60K6/00; B60K6/08; B60K6/10; B60K6/105; F02; F02B; F02B61/00; F02B75/00; F02B75/06; F16D21/00; F16D21/08; F16D25/00; F16D25/06; F16D25/062; F16D25/063; F16D25/0635; F02B1/00; F02B1/02; F02B1/04; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/60; Y02T10/62
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
232 words
A method of operating a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine and a drive train coupled to said engine for driving the driving wheels of said vehicle, wherein said drive train includes a transmission means, a flywheel means normally present in said drive train for equalizing non-uniformities of engine output torque and arranged between said engine and said transmission means, and first interrupting means for interrupting the coupling between said flywheel means and said driving wheels, said method comprising: providing second interrupting means for interrupting the coupling between said engine and said flywheel means, a controlling means for automatically controlling said second interrupting means, means for detecting at least one parameter characteristic of the operating state of the engine, and signal generating means for delivering at least one control signal to said controlling means representative of said parameters, said controlling means being responsive to said control signals; delivering a control signal from said signal generating means to said controlling means for automatically interrupting said coupling between said engine and said flywheel means and stopping said engine at operating conditions wherein both said engine is not providing a driving force and said flywheel means rotates above a predetermined minimum speed; and delivering a control signal from said signal generating means to said controlling means for re-coupling said flywheel means to said engine to restart said engine upon termination of said operating conditions.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
232 words
A method of operating a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine and a drive train coupled to said engine for driving the driving wheels of said vehicle, wherein said drive train includes a transmission means, a flywheel means normally present in said drive train for equalizing non-uniformities of engine output torque and arranged between said engine and said transmission means, and first interrupting means for interrupting the coupling between said flywheel means and said driving wheels, said method comprising: providing second interrupting means for interrupting the coupling between said engine and said flywheel means, a controlling means for automatically controlling said second interrupting means, means for detecting at least one parameter characteristic of the operating state of the engine, and signal generating means for delivering at least one control signal to said controlling means representative of said parameters, said controlling means being responsive to said control signals; delivering a control signal from said signal generating means to said controlling means for automatically interrupting said coupling between said engine and said flywheel means and stopping said engine at operating conditions wherein both said engine is not providing a driving force and said flywheel means rotates above a predetermined minimum speed; and delivering a control signal from said signal generating means to said controlling means for re-coupling said flywheel means to said engine to restart said engine upon termination of said operating conditions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said control parameter comprises engine output.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said control parameter is representative of the position of the intake throttle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said control parameter comprises the instantaneous rotational speed of said flywheel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said control parameter comprises the speed of travel of said vehicle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said transmission means has a plurality of operating positions, and wherein said control parameter comprises the said operating position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said control parameter conprises the inclination of said vehicle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said engine comprises ignition means, and wherein said engine is stopped by interruption of said ignition means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
56 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said drive train includes coupling means between said flywheel means and said transmission means, said method further comprising interrupting said coupling between said flywheel means and said transmission at predetermined operating states of said vehicle, and re-coupling said flywheel means to said transmission upon termination of said operating states.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 9, wherein said vehicle includes a foot brake, and wherein said coupling between said flywheel means and said transmission is interrupted on application of said foot brake.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 9, wherein said vehicle includes a gas pedal means, and wherein said coupling between said flywheel means and said transmission is interrupted on release of said gas pedal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
189 words
In a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine and a drive train coupled to said engine for driving the driving wheels of said vehicle, wherein said drive train includes a transmission means, a flywheel means normally present in said drive train for equalizing nonuniformities of engine output torque and arranged in said drive train between said engine and said transmission means, and means for interrupting the coupling between said flywheel means and said driving wheels, the improvement comprising controllable clutch means arranged in said drive train between said engine and said flywheel means for automatically interrupting said coupling at operating conditions wherein both said engine is not providing a driving force and said flywheel means rotates above a predetermined minimum speed, and for re-coupling said flywheel means to said engine when said operating conditions are terminated, and further comprising a controlling means for automatically controlling said clutch means, means for detecting one or more parameters characteristic of the operating state of the engine, and means providing one or more control signals to said controlling means representative of said parameters, said controlling means being responsive to said control signals.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
189 words
In a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine and a drive train coupled to said engine for driving the driving wheels of said vehicle, wherein said drive train includes a transmission means, a flywheel means normally present in said drive train for equalizing nonuniformities of engine output torque and arranged in said drive train between said engine and said transmission means, and means for interrupting the coupling between said flywheel means and said driving wheels, the improvement comprising controllable clutch means arranged in said drive train between said engine and said flywheel means for automatically interrupting said coupling at operating conditions wherein both said engine is not providing a driving force and said flywheel means rotates above a predetermined minimum speed, and for re-coupling said flywheel means to said engine when said operating conditions are terminated, and further comprising a controlling means for automatically controlling said clutch means, means for detecting one or more parameters characteristic of the operating state of the engine, and means providing one or more control signals to said controlling means representative of said parameters, said controlling means being responsive to said control signals.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said engine comprises ignition means and wherein said controlling means includes means for emitting a signal for interrupting said ignition means at said operating conditions.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said vehicle comprises fuel delivery means for supplying fuel to said engine and wherein said controlling means includes means for emitting a signal for interrupting said fuel delivery means at said operating conditions.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said control signals comprise a signal representative of engine output.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
63 words
Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said vehicle comprises gas pedal means having a plurality of operating position including an idling position determining the engine output, and said apparatus further comprises a switch means actuated in the idling position of said gas pedal means, said switch means including means for delivering a control signal to said controlling means for controlling said clutch means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said control signals comprise a signal representative of the instantaneous rotational speed of said flywheel.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said control signals comprise a signal representative of the inclination of the vehicle.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said controlling means comprises a time function means for delaying the actuation of said clutch for a predetermined time period after receiving said control signals.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said controlling means comprises a manual override means for preventing interruption of said coupling during all operating conditions of said engine.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
52 words
Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said vehicle comprises a main clutch arranged in said drive train between said flywheel means and said transmission means, and said apparatus further comprises means responsive to the operating state of said engine for automatically disengaging said main clutch at predetermined operating states of said engine.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said main clutch is disengaged where the instantaneous rotational speed of said flywheel means exceeds a predetermined limit.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 21 or 22, wherein said vehicle comprises a foot brake, and wherein said main clutch is disengaged upon application of said foot brake.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said vehicle comprises a gas pedal means, and wherein said main clutch is disengaged upon release of said gas pedal.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-02-24 | 1984-08-25 | 1985-02-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-02-24 | 1988-08-25 | 1989-02-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-02-24 | 1992-08-25 | 1993-02-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |