Abstract: The operation of a motor vehicle is controlled by reading of a programmed memory to accelerate the vehicle along a predetermined optimum efficiency curve. The acceleration is independent of the position of the accelerator pedal, provided the pedal is neither in the idling position nor in the full throttle position. For these positions, the acceleration of the vehicle is not under the control of the programmed device.

Abstract: A vehicle is equipped with an engine, a transmission and a control device for cutting off the engine. This control device is actuated as a function of the position of the gearshift lever.

Abstract: A utility vehicle body is fabricated with a closed cab portion and an open cargo portion. The cab portion is arranged to be resistant to bending moments in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and resistant to torsion forces. For this purpose, there is provided a torsion resistant frame extending around the entire circumference of the rear wall of the cab portion. The cargo portion has an approximately U-shaped transverse cross-section and is therefore resistant to bending in the longitudinal direction, but by itself is not resistant to torsion forces. The cargo portion is rendered resistant to torsion forces by reason of its attachment on the rear wall of the cab portion.

Abstract: A system is provided for fuel-efficiently operating an engine in a vehicle wherein the vehicle engine is coupled through a clutch to an infinitely variable ratio gear driving a planetary gear train. A clutch pedal actuates the clutch, and an accelerator pedal is coupled to the fuel delivery mechanism of the engine. A first storage unit is responsive to the position of the accelerator pedal and selects a stored value for the ratio of the infinitely variable ratio gear. A drive unit is provided for adjusting the ratio of the infinitely variable gear in response to the selected value from the first storage. A second storage unit is responsive to the position of the accelerator pedal and selects a stored value for a fuel delivery mechanism. A third storage unit is responsive to the position of the clutch pedal and selects a stored value for the fuel delivery mechanism. A comparison unit is coupled to the second and third storage units for selecting the smaller of the values for the fuel delivery mechanism.

Abstract: A drive train for an automobile engine and automatic transmission includes a clutch positioned between the engine and the flywheel and a starting motor on the transmission side of the clutch.

Abstract: An improved drive unit for a vehicle having an internal combustion engine, an automatic transmission and a clutch comprising a servo-powered mechanical coupling part and a fluid coupling part is disclosed. The fluid coupling part serves as the flywheel for the engine. An auxiliary starting motor rotates the flywheel to a speed sufficient to start the internal combustion engine when the accelerator pedal is depressed, thereby closing the mechanical coupling part and connecting the flywheel with the engine crankshaft. When the accelerator pedal is released the mechanical coupling part opens to stop the engine in all engine-braking phases, thereby maximizing fuel conservation.

Abstract: A drive for a vehicle with an internal combustion engine and an electric motor drivingly connected to a manual transmission with a clutch is provided. The transmission has a shift lever, a shift gate, a lane associated with the lowest gear of the transmission, and an input shaft. A control lever is longitudinally displaceable when the shift lever is in a neutral position, and is supported by the shift lever when the shift lever is in the neutral position. The shift gate supports the control lever when the shift lever is positioned out of the neutral position. A first switch is positioned in the transmission and is actuated by the control lever. A spring normally biases the control lever into contact with the first switch. A first motor circuit includes an accelerator pedal coupled to a regulator to control the speed of the electric motor. A second motor circuit includes the accelerator pedal coupled to a power regulator to control the speed of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: Controls are provided to directly or indirectly avoid operation of the internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle in a range of speed and output power which is detrimental to engine efficiency. The controls become operative upon attainment of a predetermined limit value for engine parameters.

Abstract: Arrangement for fuel supply to the combustion chambers of a vehicle internal combustion engine with an engine-braking disconnection. A sensor determines the rotational speed of the engine. Function generators determine the limit value signals which are a function of the rotational speed of the engine. Comparators compare the signals determined by the function generators with a load signal received from a potentiometer acting as a position sensor indicating the position of the intake manifold throttle valve. The comparators are connected to switches which regulate or eliminate the fuel supply to the combustion chamber depending upon the output of the said comparators by supplying fuel to all combustion chambers, to groups of combustion chambers, or to no combustion chambers, so that the operation of the engine is fuel-consumption optimal.

Abstract: The operation of a motor vehicle is controlled by reading of a programmed memory to accelerate the vehicle along a predetermined optimum efficiency curve. The acceleration is independent of the position of the accelerator pedal, provided the pedal is neither in the idling position nor in the full throttle position. For these positions, the acceleration of the vehicle is not under the control of the programmed device.

Abstract: For reducing knocking in an externally ignited, mixture-compressing internal combustion engine, the moment of ignition is delayed up to a predetermined maximum as a function of signals emitted by a knocking sensor. Thereafter, if engine knocking continues, the throttle valve is moved in the closing sense.

Abstract: A control apparatus for controlling the fuel metering device of an internal combustion engine uses a computer and servomotor to override the accelerator when the engine reaches a predetermined threshold speed for a selected throttle valve position. Preset values stored in the computer assure favorable fuel consumption during acceleration above the threshold speed.

Abstract: An indicating instrument for displaying the operating efficiency of a motor vehicle having an automatic transmission, which includes a pointer movable across an instrument face, and which is operable only when the engine speed is above idle and the transmission is in drive gear.

Abstract: A fuel injection apparatus provides a rich fuel-air mixture which is injected into the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine in the vicinity of the intake ports of the cylinders. The quantity of fuel provided to the engine is regulated in accordance with the negative pressure in the engine air intake passage.

Abstract: A fuel injection apparatus for use with an internal combustion engine provides for the injection of a fuel carrying air stream into the intake manifold of the engine adjacent the intake port of each cylinder. The apparatus includes a fuel proportioning device which releases a quantity of fuel to the fuel carrying air stream in accordance with the rate of air flow in the engine air intake.

Abstract: A system for indicating the fuel consumption rate of a vehicle, wherein there is provided a pressure responsive instrument for indicating consumption rate which is connected by a pressure conduit to the intake passage of the engine, is provided with a pressure transformer in the conduit. The transformer is responsive to the operating condition of the vehicle transmission, and operates when the transmission is in its next highest gear to convert the negative pressure of the engine intake passage to a lower value of negative pressure which is presented to the indicating instrument. The conversion is by a pressure ratio equal to the ratio of the highest transmission gear to the next highest gear.

Abstract: A meter for displaying the operating efficiency of a motor vehicle, which includes a pointer movable across an instrument face, is provided with an opaque screen covering the face and having a transparent window exposing a portion of the face corresponding to operating efficiencies of the vehicle while operating at a constant vehicle speed.

Abstract: A device for indicating the fuel consumption rate of an internal combustion engine. The device includes a potentiometer having a sliding contact engaging a variable resistor portion to provide variable resistance between the contact and an output lead of the potentiometer. The sliding contact is mechanically connected to the engine throttle for adjusting the position of the contact such that the resistance between the contact and the output lead increases as the amount of fuel supplied to the engine increases. A meter for indicating the fuel consumption rate is included in an electrical circuit including, in series, a voltage source, the meter, and the potentiometer connected at the contact and the output lead. Circuit interrupting means are also provided to open the electrical circuit only when the throttle is in the idling position.

Abstract: A device for indicating the fuel consumption rate of an internal combustion engine. The device includes a potentiometer having a sliding contact engaging either a substantially linear resistor portion when the engine is operating under partial to full load, or a separate portion when the engine is operated in the idling mode or the deceleration mode. The sliding contact is connected with the engine throttle for adjusting the position of the sliding contact in accordance with the amount of fuel supplied to the engine. A voltage source is connected to the linear portion of the potentiometer, and to the separate portion, with a switching means interposed in the latter case for selectively supplying different voltages to the separate portion depending upon whether the engine is in the idling mode or deceleration mode, for indicating a higher or lower fuel consumption rate, respectively, on a fuel consumption rate indicator electrically connected to the sliding contact.

Abstract: A safety belt is disclosed which is suitable for use in vehicles to hold occupants in the vehicles in the event of a collision. It possesses elasticity and has a generally round cross-sectional shape in those portions of the belt which are adapted to come in contact with the occupant during a collision. The round cross-sectional shape and elasticity enable the belt to deform slightly when a person's body is thrown against it thereby reducing the danger of constriction damage to the person's body. The round cross-sectional shape also insures that the belt is less likely to be twisted into a shape which would jam automatic belt retractors and their associated guides.