Kienzle Apparate Gmbh

Peter Kuhn

Robert Weber

Siegfried Koch

Max Kolar

An arrangement which provides an indication of the economy of motor vehicle operation includes a number of sensors for detecting different vehicle operating factors including engine speed, distances travelled by the vehicle, and the position of the engine throttle. An acceleration measuring device is coupled to the distance sensor to determine the vehicle acceleration. Circuitry coupled to the sensors including the acceleration measuring device provides operating condition values in the form of code word elements. This circuitry includes a first comparator for setting a first set of threshold values so that the code word elements provided by the first comparator each correspond to a certain engine speed range. The circuitry also includes a second comparator operative to set a second set of threshold values so that the code word elements provided by the second comparator each correspond to a certain acceleration range. Likewise, the third sensor operates to provide code word elements each of which corresponds to a particular range of positions of the engine throttle. A matrix combines all the code word elements into a combined code word which is then evaluated and accorded a particular rating. At least one signal transmitter is provided for alerting the vehicle operator when the rating of the combined code word is such as to call for a change of operating behavior, e.g., a shift of gears.

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Villingen-Schwenningen, Germany

Peter Kuhn