HAND ACCELERATION CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ACCELERATING THE OFF-ROAD VEHICLE

Abstract

The present invention provides a hand acceleration control system to control and set Engine RPM at constant speed. The hand acceleration control system is controlled by a rotating switch (20) preferable positioned on a steering wheel.

Claims

1. A hand acceleration control system for off-road vehicle, the system comprising: a switch rotatably positioned on a steering wheel of the vehicle, rotation of the switch creates a voltage difference based on a change in resistance; and an engine control unit (ECU) configured to receive a signal from the switch (20) and a foot accelerator and supplies required fuel amount to the engine based on the voltage to keep the engine running at predefined speed.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the switch is manually rotated and pressed for setting a predefined speed in RPM.

3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ECU is configured to supply fuel to the engine via a high pressure pump receiving fuel from a fuel tank and supplying to a common rail.

4. The system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the switch is positioned at a center of the steering wheel.

5. A method for accelerating the off-road vehicle by a hand acceleration control system, the method comprising the steps of: rotating a switch up to the marking of desired RPM; pressing the switch to freeze/set the selected RPM; transmitting a signal from the switch and a foot accelerator to an ECU; determining the amount of fuel to be supplied to an engine by the ECU based on the signals received from the switch and the foot accelerator; and suppling the determined amount of fuel to the engine a high fuel pump thereby setting the engine at the constant pre-set speed.

6. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the signal transmitted to the ECU is a voltage difference based on the change in resistance caused by rotation of the switch.

7. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the amount of fuel supplied to the high fuel pump is based on higher voltage between the switch and the foot accelerator.

8. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the signal from the switch is transmitted to the ECU through wiring harness.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING

[0009] The foregoing and other features of embodiments of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like elements.

[0010] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in context of these embodiments, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these embodiments.

[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates a hand acceleration control system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0012] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a perspective and side view of a switch of the system of FIG. 1;

[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates the system of FIG. 1;

[0014] FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic diagram of the system of FIG. 1; and

[0015] FIG. 5 illustrates graphical representation of the transmission of signals during operation of the switch.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which shown by way of illustration specific embodiments that may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable a person skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical, and other changes may be made within the scope of the embodiments.

[0017] Also, the words comprising, having, containing, and including, and other similar forms are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items. The singular forms a, an, and the include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The following detailed description is, therefore, not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention, but instead the invention is to be defined by the appended claims.

[0018] In general aspect, the present invention provides a hand acceleration control system to control Engine RPM. The hand acceleration control system is controlled by a rotating switch preferable positioned on a steering wheel.

[0019] Referring to FIGS. 1-2B a steering wheel (10) having a rotary push type switch (20) positioned thereon is shown. The switch (20) is used for sending input to an Engine ECU (30). The engine rpm is controlled by rotating the switch (20) in clockwise or counter clockwise manner and engaging by pressing the switch (20). In accordance with an embodiment, the switch (20) is mounted at centre location on steering wheel (10). The switch (20) and a steering cap (22) are sub-assembled and then fitted along with the steering wheel (10). The switch (20) is connected to a Tractor Main assembly through the steering wheel (10). However, it is understood here that the switch (20) may be mounted on side and easily accessible to the user. Signal from switch (20) are sent to engine control unit (hereinafter referred as ECU (30)) through wiring harness.

[0020] The engine ECU (30) controls the fueling of the engine based on the inputs received from the switch.

[0021] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a hand acceleration control system (100) and working of the system (100) is shown. The system (100) includes the switch (20) positioned on the steering wheel. The switch (20) receives the inputs from the user. When the switch (20) is rotated, it creates a voltage difference based on the change in resistance that is transmitted to the ECU (30) as an input along with the input from the foot accelerator. The ECU (30) is configured to supply the required fuel amount to the engine based on the voltage difference to keep the engine running at predefined speed. The ECU (30) is configured to communicate with a high pressure pump (40), a common rail (50), a fuel tank (60) that supplies fuel to the high pressure pump (40) through a lift pump (70) and fuel filter (80). The required amount of fuel is supplied to the engine through a plurality of injectors (90). The ECU (30) communicates with these elements through an actuator (35).

[0022] Referring to FIGS. 1-4, in operation, in first step, the user rotates the switch (20) up to the marking of desired RPM and presses the switch to freeze/set the selected RPM. In this step, when the switch (20) is rotated, it creates a voltage difference based on the change in resistance. In the next step, signal from the switch (20) are sent to the ECU (30) through wiring harness. In the next step, the ECU (30) determines the amount of fuel and the signals are transmitted to high fuel pump (40) and to the fuel tank (70) through the actuator (35). The high fuel pump (40) supplies the required the determined amount of fuel to common rail (50) that further supplies fuel to the engine via injectors (90). The engine keeps running at the constant pre-set speed till the further variation in the speed created by the user.

[0023] Referring to FIG. 5, a graphical representation of the transmission of signals during operation of the switch is shown. At first step, when the switch is rotated by the user, it creates voltage difference based on the change in resistance that is provided as an input to the ECU (30). The ECU (30) receives inputs from the oot accelerator sensor and the switch (20). When the switch (20) is rotated clockwise, Voltage to the ECU (30) increases and when the switch (20) is rotated anticlockwise, the Voltage get reduced. In the next step, when the switch is pressed the ECU (30) executes the function of supplying required amount of fuel to the engine based on higher Voltage/value between the two inputs received by the ECU (30).

[0024] The system of the present invention reduces the operator fatigue, since he does not need to move the hands out of steering wheel zone. The switch (20) positioned at center position on the steering wheel (10) facilitates precision control and smooth and effortless operation of changing the engine set rpm. The switch (20) also provides more visibility for setting the rpm. When the switch (20) is pressed and a specific speed is set for the engine, the speed cannot be changed by applying brakes or any other way unless the switch (20) again set in default configuration. The present invention eliminates existing mechanical lever and moving parts. Further, an additional setting arrangement is not required for setting the Low Idle & High Idle rpm

[0025] It is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, of the invention and not as a limitation. The exemplary embodiments described in this specification are intended merely to provide an understanding of various manners in which these embodiments may be used and to further enable the skilled person in the relevant art to practice the invention.

[0026] Although, the embodiments presented in this disclosure have been described in terms of its preferred embodiments, the skilled person in the art would readily recognize that these embodiments can be applied with modifications possible within the spirit and scope of the present invention as described in this specification by making innumerable changes, variations, modifications, alterations and/or integrations in terms of materials and method used to configure, manufacture and assemble various constituents, components, subassemblies and assemblies, in terms of their size, shapes, orientations and interrelationships without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

[0027] The numerical values given of various physical parameters, dimensions and quantities are only approximate values and it is envisaged that the values higher or lower than the numerical value assigned to the physical parameters, dimensions and quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure unless there is a statement in the specification to the contrary.