A device for automatically restarting the engine of a motor vehicle after sudden braking

Claim 1

A device for controlling the operation of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, comprising first electrical speed sensor means (1, 2) for association with at least one driven wheel of the motor vehicle and for providing electrical signals indicative of the speed of rotation of the wheel; second electrical speed sensor means (7) for -providing electrical signals indicative of the speed of rotation of the engine; characterised in that it further includes third electrical speed sensor means (8) for providing electrical signals indicative of the speed of the motor vehicle; means (4) for indicating the condition of braking of the motor vehicle, and an electronic monitoring and control unit (3) connected to the said first, second and third speed sensor means (1, 2; 7) and to the indicator means (4), and arranged to output a command signal usable to cause the actuation of the starter motor (11) of the internal combustion engine when the signals provided by the said first, second and third speed sensor means (1, 2; 7) and by the indicator means (4) indicate that, following the application of the brakes of the motor vehicle, at least the driven wheel monitored has become locked, the internal combustion engine has stalled, the vehicle is still in motion, and the braking force has been at least partially reduced, so as to cause the driven wheels to be turned again and, consequently, the stability and correct handling of the motor vehicle to be regained.

Claim 2

A device for controlling the operation of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, comprising first electrical speed sensor means (1, 2) for association with at least one driven wheel of the motor vehicle and for providing electrical signals indicative of the speed of rotation of the wheel; second electrical speed sensor means (7) for -providing electrical signals indicative of the speed of rotation of the engine; characterised in that it further includes third electrical speed sensor means (8) for providing electrical signals indicative of the speed of the motor vehicle; means (4) for indicating the condition of braking of the motor vehicle, and an electronic monitoring and control unit (3) connected to the said first, second and third speed sensor means (1, 2; 7) and to the indicator means (4), and arranged to output a command signal usable to cause the actuation of the starter motor (11) of the internal combustion engine when the signals provided by the said first, second and third speed sensor means (1, 2; 7) and by the indicator means (4) indicate that, following the application of the brakes of the motor vehicle, at least the driven wheel monitored has become locked, the internal combustion engine has stalled, the vehicle is still in motion, and the braking force has been at least partially reduced, so as to cause the driven wheels to be turned again and, consequently, the stability and correct handling of the motor vehicle to be regained.

Claim 6

A device according to any one of the preceding claims, in particular for vehicles with hydraulic braking systems, characterised in that the said indicator means include a threshold pressure sensor (4) incorporated in the hydraulic braking circuit (5).

Claim 8

A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the said electronic monitoring and control unit (3) is connected to a power supply through a circuit breaker (10) controlled by means of the ignition and starter switch of the motor vehicle engine.