Abstract: A returning spring 7 of the electronic control throttle and a default spring 8 for securing an initial opening degree (default opening degree) of the throttle valve 3 have diameters different from each other, and both of the springs 7, 8 are held around a shaft of the throttle valve shaft 3 and arranged between a gear 43 attached to the throttle valve shaft 3 and a wall portion of the throttle body 100. A shaft supporting gap of the throttle valve shaft 3 is filled with an air leak preventing material, and a minimum opening degree on control purpose of the throttle valve is set to a value larger than an amount of overshoot of the throttle valve occurring when opening degree of the throttle valve is changed from a maximum opening degree on control purpose of the throttle valve to the minimum opening degree.

Abstract: Even in such an arrangement in which the throttle valve is operated independently of the engine control system, abnormal engine behavior is ensured to be detected such that a necessary fail-safe operation should be taken. The arrangement of the invention is comprised of the electronically controlled throttle system, engine control system and engine speed monitoring unit, wherein the electronically controlled throttle system is allowed to monitor engine behaviors. Thereby, in the case when the throttle valve is operated independently of the engine control system, if its engine behavior becomes abnormal relative to its drive contents, the engine system senses the abnormality, and takes a fail-safe operation such as to stop operation of the throttle valve and the like.

Abstract: A method for controlling a positioning device of an internal combustion engine includes the steps of: providing an electric motor for actuating the positioning device with the positioning device applying a torque to the motor which changes sign over the positioning range; generating a drive signal for the motor in the context of a position control based upon a commanded position, whereby the drive signal controls the current through the motor; and, changing the drive signal to abruptly change the motor voltage when the position command is in the region of the torque reversal.

Abstract: In a device for restoring a rotary member into a defined normal position, with a spatially stationary fixed catch (13), which predetermines the normal position, and a driver catch (14), which is coupled to the rotary member and can be moved past the fixed catch (13), each of which has stop surfaces (131, 132, 141, 142) embodied on each of its opposing sides, and with a clamping spring (18), which encompasses the catches (13, 14) in a prestressed fashion with two bent spring legs (181, 182), in order to prevent a rotary play between the clamping spring (18) and the catches (13, 14) in the normal position, in at least one leg section of the spring legs (181) extending across the stop surfaces (141) of the catches (14), an elastic spring element (19) is provided, which is supported against the associated stop surface (141) with a spring force that is less powerful than the prestressing force of the clamping spring (18) (FIG. 1).

Abstract: In order to provide an internal combustion engine control unit for a jet propulsion type watercraft which can control an internal combustion engine so that a rider can perform risk avoidance safely, a throttle open degree detector 22 which detects a state of the throttle operated by a rider, and a controller 300 which, when the throttle open degree detected by the throttle open degree detector 22 is a predetermined value or lower, keeps the rotation speed of the internal combustion engine 2 at a predetermined value for a predetermined period of time after the throttle open degree has reached the predetermined value or lower, are provided.

Abstract: A control system for an internal combustion engine having at least one intake valve and at least one exhaust valve is disclosed. The control system includes a valve operating characteristic varying mechanism and a hydraulic control valve for controlling a hydraulic pressure to be supplied to the valve operating characteristic varying mechanism. The valve operating characteristic varying mechanism continuously varies an operating phase of the at least one intake valve and/or the at least one exhaust valve of the engine. A cleaning operation of the hydraulic control valve is performed in a predetermined operating condition of the engine. An intake air amount of the engine is controlled according to an operating condition of the valve operating characteristic varying mechanism when the cleaning operation of the hydraulic control valve is performed.

Abstract: A closed throttle position of a vehicle internal combustion engine is determined by storing a plurality of signal values representative of previous foot-off position values of an accelerator pedal (10) within a normal range of pedal positions, determining a current foot-off position value of the accelerator pedal, comparing the current foot-off position value to an average of the previous stored foot-off position values, and using the average as the closed pedal position to determine a closed throttle position when the comparison is indicative of an abnormal pedal position.

Abstract: A control unit for detecting an opening of an accelerator and an opening of the throttle valve to operate the throttle valve via a motor, sets a commanded value of an opening of the throttle valve at each of first predetermined cycles in accordance with an of the accelerator. A first opening/closing velocity is set in accordance with the set commanded value, a present opening of the throttle valve is read at each of second cycles shorter than the first predetermined cycles, the motor is rotated to open/close the throttle valve to follow a first predicted opening of the throttle valve until the opening of the throttle valve is smaller than the commanded value by a predetermined quantity, and the motor is caused to open/close the throttle valve to follow a second predicted opening of the throttle valve which is smaller than the first predicted opening of the throttle valve after the cycle when the opening of the throttle valve has been made smaller than the commanded value by a predetermined quantity.

Abstract: A throttle valve configuration having an emergency air device in the form of an additional valve which normally closes off an emergency air opening in the throttle valve, and when the drive fails, can be rotated relative to the throttle valve in order to release the emergency air opening so that the internal combustion engine receives sufficient air to travel to a garage or a similar service center.

Abstract: An excessive volume of fuel discharged by a high-pressure supply pump to a common rail due to an opened state abnormality of an inlet metering valve of the pump may result in an abnormal increase in common rail pressure. In the event of such an abnormal increase, a target idle revolution speed is newly set at an abnormal value greater than a normal value as a measure taken to increase an idle revolution speed. Thus, a pressure limiter, which has been once put in an opened valve state by an actual common rail pressure higher than a limit setting pressure, can be prevented from again entering a closed valve state. As a result, it is possible to eliminate idle performance instability caused by repetition of opened valve and closed valve states of the pressure limiter and, hence, assure reliability of the pressure limiter.

Abstract: There is provided a throttle control system and method for an internal combustion engine as well as an engine control unit, which are capable of controlling a throttle valve without any trouble even when the throttle valve is frozen. The throttle control system controls the degree of opening of the throttle valve. The opening of the throttle valve detected during control of the throttle valve to a fully-closed position at a start of the engine is set to a smallest angle. A temperature of the throttle valve is detected. A lower limit value of the target degree of opening is set to a degree of opening larger than the detected smallest angle of the throttle valve, when the detected smallest angle is larger than a predetermined degree of opening and at the same time the detected temperature of the throttle valve is lower than a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: An engine control unit, and method of use, uses a power curve or algorithm to pro-actively adjust fuel flow rate to an engine, optionally in combination with a reactive power curve or algorithm, thereby to adjust engine power, in anticipation of changes in loads being imposed on the engine, as well as to respond to engine speed changes. The ECU has a power curve or algorithm stored in memory which responds to certain predetermined operating conditions other than sensed engine speed, by providing a sequence of pro-active change inputs, at predetermined rates of change, in rate of delivery of fuel to the engine combustion chambers, independent of engine speed change, thereby to produce pro-active incremental changes in power output of the engine. Such pro-active incremental power changes are effected in anticipation of changes in load demand on the engine, and correspond generally with expected incrementally progressive changes in load demand on the engine.

Abstract: A method for controlling a positioning device of an internal combustion engine includes the steps of: providing an electric motor for actuating the positioning device with the positioning device applying a torque to the motor which changes sign over the positioning range; generating a drive signal for the motor in the context of a position control based upon a commanded position, whereby the drive signal controls the current through the motor; and, changing the drive signal to abruptly change the motor voltage when the position command is in the region of the torque reversal.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and an arrangement for determining a driver command and especially a kickdown command. This driver command is only detected when the pedal position or a desired value derived therefrom exceeds a pregiven threshold value and when the gradient of the pedal position or the desired value derived therefrom exceeds a pregiven threshold value.

Abstract: A method for controlling a positioning device (34) of an internal combustion engine includes the step of providing an electric motor (30) for actuating a positioning device (34). A user employs an actuator (21) to command the throttle plate (34) to change to a commanded position. A motor effort sensor (38) then detects a control effort required by the motor (30) to change to the commanded position. A throttle control unit (28) determines whether the control effort exceeds a threshold for a predetermined time period. If the control effort exceeds the threshold for the predetermined time period, the throttle control unit (28) actuates the motor (30) to reduce the control effort.

Abstract: A throttle miswire detection system including a powertrain control module (PCM) coupled to a throttle actuator and a pair of throttle plate position sensors. In detecting miswires, the PCM sets the throttle plate to a default position in which a default position value is measured by the position sensors. The PCM then sets the throttle plate to a closed position in which a closed position value is measured by the position sensors. After recording the receiving measurements, the PCM computes a negative slope sensor difference and a positive slope sensor difference. The PCM calculates a slope ratio consisting of the positive slope sensor difference divided by the negative slope sensor difference. If the slope values or slope ratio are not within prescribed limits, then the PCM deactivates the throttle actuator.

Abstract: An electronic engine control unit for a motorcycle or other two-wheeled vehicle gradually decreases engine torque at the time of a failure so as to eliminate an uneasy feeling that an operator might experience if the engine torque were to be reduced abruptly. When a failure is detected, a throttle valve is closed gradually by initially closing the valve quickly and then slowly closing the valve so as to obtain a smooth decrease in engine torque. In addition, the ignition timing is changed gradually toward retardation to gradually decrease engine torque. Alternatively, the ignition pulses to the cylinders are thinned out gradually to cause a gradual decrease in engine torque. As a further alternative in the case of a multi-cylinder engine, the ignition pulses are stopped on a cylinder-by-cylinder basis to cause a gradual decrease in engine torque.

Abstract: An engine ECU comprises a control CPU for executing engine control and a watchdog circuit for monitoring the CPU. The watchdog circuit stores, whenever a reset signal is outputted to the CPU, a reset information indicating a fault record. The CPU executes, after it is once reset and re-started, the predetermined fail-safe process based on the reset information stored. When a monitor CPU connected to the control CPU for making communication is used as the watchdog circuit, fault detection times X and Y are specified to satisfy the relationship of X≧Y, when the communication fault detection time is defined as X and the watchdog pulse fault detection time as Y.

Abstract: An engine control system and method of controlling an internal combustion engine having a mandatory engine warm-up period are provided. The engine control system includes an electronic control module (ECM) having a torque inhibit circuit and a speed inhibit circuit, and an at least one engine fluid temperature sensor in electrical communication with the torque inhibit circuit and the speed inhibit circuit of the ECM. The sensor is exposed to at least one engine fluid and is adapted to provide an inhibit signal to the torque inhibit circuit and to the speed inhibit circuit indicative of the temperature of the fluid within the engine. The torque inhibit circuit and the speed inhibit circuit are operable to cause the ECM to disregard any requests from an operator commanding an increase in engine torque or engine speed until such time as the inhibit signal from the temperature sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method of controlling a motor vehicle engine having an electronic throttle including positioning the electronic throttle in response to a requested throttle area, determining a fault in the vehicle engine, limiting the throttle area after a fault has been determined to control vehicle speed, limiting acceleration of the vehicle after the fault has been determined, and determining if the engine may be operated at full throttle after the fault has been determined to allow the vehicle to operate in a high power demand application.

Abstract: A method of controlling a motor vehicle engine having an electronic throttle including positioning the electronic throttle in response to a requested throttle area, determining a fault in the vehicle engine, limiting the throttle area after a fault has been determined to control vehicle speed, limiting acceleration of the vehicle after the fault has been determined, and determining if the engine may be operated at full throttle after the fault has been determined to allow the vehicle to operate in a high power demand application.

Abstract: A throttle valve configuration having an emergency air device in the form of an additional valve which normally closes off an emergency air opening in the throttle valve, and when the drive fails, can be rotated relative to the throttle valve in order to release the emergency air opening so that the internal combustion engine receives sufficient air to travel to a garage or a similar service center.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for adjusting a throttle of a vehicle engine. The apparatus comprises an input sensor configured to provide an input signal having a value that approximately corresponds to an operating level of the vehicle engine requested by an operator and a memory configured to store a maximum input value for the input sensor. The maximum input value provides the value of the input signal that approximately corresponds to a maximum operating level of the vehicle engine. The apparatus is further configured to receive the input signal and access the memory to retrieve the maximum input value and further configured to update the maximum input value with the value of the input signal if the value of the input signal is greater than the maximum input value.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and an arrangement for detecting faults in the context of measurement quantities in a motor vehicle. At least one measurement quantity is represented by two redundant signal values. The time-dependent changes of the signal values are determined for fault recognition and a fault condition can be assumed when the signal changes no longer correlate with each other. The arrangement for fault recognition includes an input circuit of a control apparatus to which the measurement quantities are supplied via two lines from two measuring devices. One line is provided with a resistor to ground or to the supply voltage; whereas, the other line is configured without such a resistor or has a resistor to the supply voltage or to ground having an ohmage higher than the first resistor.

Abstract: A drive device (10, 100) with an actuating drive (40, 130) for driving a movable element (11, 110), in which drive device a lever (62, 144) coupled to the movable element (11, 110) is capable of being driven by the actuating drive (40, 130) via a gear (48, 132), the lever (62, 144) being capable of being acted upon by a firmly supported return spring (34, 164) so as to be capable of being pivoted back into a basic position (82, 161), and, in the basic position (82, 161), a first lever arm (64, 146) of the lever (62, 144) being acted upon by a stop (84, 160), is to have a particularly low space requirement and at the same time absorb momentum energy of the gear (48, 132) in a particularly reliable way in the event of a failure of the actuating drive (40, 130).

Abstract: A control unit for detecting an opening of an accelerator and an opening of the throttle valve to operate the throttle valve via a motor, sets a commanded value of an opening of the throttle valve at each of first predetermined cycles in accordance with an of the accelerator. A first opening/closing velocity is set in accordance with the set commanded value, a present opening of the throttle valve is read at each of second cycles shorter than the first predetermined cycles, the motor is rotated to open/close the throttle valve to follow a first predicted opening of the throttle valve until the opening of the throttle valve is smaller than the commanded value by a predetermined quantity, and the motor is caused to open/close the throttle valve to follow a second predicted opening of the throttle valve which is smaller than the first predicted opening of the throttle valve after the cycle when the opening of the throttle valve has been made smaller than the commanded value by a predetermined quantity.

Abstract: If outputs of a couple of Hall ICs constituting a throttle valve position sensor are within an operating range of throttle valve position, and if a relationship between the outputs are within a predetermined error range, both the Hall ICs are determined to be normal. In contrast, if the outputs are equal to an upper clamp voltage or a lower clamp voltage, and if a relationship between the outputs is out of the predetermined error range, at least one of the Hall ICs is determined to be abnormal. Furthermore, if the outputs are within a failure reference voltage range, it is determined that there is an abnormality between the throttle valve position sensor and an ECU. In this way, abnormalities in the sensor and abnormalities between the sensor and the ECU can also be detected.

Abstract: A system and method for determining when a position of a throttle is not adequately conforming to a command signal provided by a control module, such that a fault indication should be provided, is disclosed. The system includes a throttle assembly including the throttle, which is configured to generate a position signal indicative of the position of the throttle, and a processor that is coupled to the throttle assembly and is configured to receive the command signal and the position signal. The processor is further configured to determine a first limit that is functionally dependent upon the command signal, the first limit delimiting an acceptable range of throttle positions from a first unacceptable range of throttle positions, and to determine that the position of the throttle is not adequately conforming to the command signal when the position of the throttle as indicated by the position signal is in the first unacceptable range of throttle positions.

Abstract: A control unit for detecting an opening of an accelerator and an opening of the throttle valve to operate the throttle valve via a motor, sets a commanded value of an opening of the throttle valve at each of first predetermined cycles in accordance with an of the accelerator. A first opening/closing velocity is set in accordance with the set commanded value, a present opening of the throttle valve is read at each of second cycles shorter than the first predetermined cycles, the motor is rotated to open/close the throttle valve to follow a first predicted opening of the throttle valve until the opening of the throttle valve is smaller than the commanded value by a predetermined quantity, and the motor is caused to open/close the throttle valve to follow a second predicted opening of the throttle valve which is smaller than the first predicted opening of the throttle valve after the cycle when the opening of the throttle valve has been made smaller than the commanded value by a predetermined quantity.

Abstract: A fail-safe processing method for an internal combustion engine including: carrying out a failure diagnosis for determining whether a failure of an electronic-controlled intake device occurs; determining whether a mode of the failure of the electronic-controlled intake device is a vehicle accelerating mode when it is determined that the failure occurs; carrying out a fail-safe processing when it is determined that the failure mode is the vehicle accelerating mode, wherein the fail-safe processing determines an optimal value of the valve-lift amount; and controlling a variable valve-lift mechanism in accordance with the optimal value of the valve-lift amount.

Abstract: A controller for an internal combustion engine detects a demand variable showing a demand from a driver, and controls an intake air volume to the internal combustion engine according to the detected demand variable. When trouble is detected in a system controlling the intake air volume, the controller switches a driving control of a vehicle to a emergency driving mode. In the emergency driving mode, the controller keeps the intake air volume to the internal combustion engine constant. The controller calculates a emergency driving control variable according to the detected demand variable, and controls the driving of the vehicle according to the calculated emergency driving control variable. The emergency driving control variable is a control variable different from the intake air volume. Thus, in the emergency driving mode, the driving of the vehicle can be controlled by the control variable different from the intake air volume, and a better drivability is ensured.

Abstract: An electronic control throttle body has a default mechanism for securing the self-propelling of a vehicle at the time of faulty. A throttle control unit controls the position of a throttle valve by using a motor on the basis of a target throttle valve opening degree obtained by an engine control unit. In this respect, when the target throttle valve opening degree inputted from the engine control unit crosses over a default opening degree f0 of a default mechanism, an integration value having been added is set to 0, and an integration value having been calculated hereinafter is added to the set value to thereby perform a feedback control.

Abstract: In a control system of an internal combustion engine including an intake flow control valve disposed downstream of a throttle valve, a controller controls opening and closing of the intake flow control valve, depending upon an operating state of the internal combustion engine. Upon detection of a failure in the intake flow control valve, the controller controls an intake air amount or flow rate to a different value.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises two accelerator position sensors and two throttle position sensors, and when one out of said two accelerator position sensors or said two throttle position sensors fails to operate, a limitation is added to the increase in accelerator position for the output characteristics of the accelerator position sensor. Thereby, the vehicle is enabled to travel at a minimum speed necessary without excessively increasing the engine output. When one of the two throttle position sensors fails to operate, the fuel injection quantity may be set based on the detection value of the accelerator position, which enables the vehicle to be driven by approximately the desired speed without excessively increasing the engine output.

Abstract: A method of controlling an internal combustion engine is provided. The engine has an engine controller and an electronically controlled throttle including a throttle control motor driven by a throttle control circuit. The method includes detecting an open circuit condition in the throttle control circuit and then detecting a closed circuit condition. After detection of the closed circuit condition, the throttle position command is clipped and the clipped throttle position is applied to the throttle control motor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus according to the present invention monitors an emission gas, such as a carbon monoxide gas, from an emission source, such as a carbon monoxide source, by periodically sensing a concentration level of emission gas, such as carbon monoxide, in ambient air and generating a signal corresponding to the sensed concentration level of the emission gas. In response to the signal, a percent blood concentration value of the emission gas is determined. The calculated blood concentration value is compared to a threshold value, and if greater than the threshold value, the source of emission gas, such as carbon monoxide gas, is disabled. The blood concentration value can be determined on a predetermined time interval, and at least in part, can be based on a prior blood concentration value in combination with a current blood concentration value.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and an arrangement for controlling the drive unit of a motor vehicle. At least two mutually redundant measurement quantities are detected which are compared to threshold values. A function of the control of the drive unit is activated or deactivated in dependence upon the ratio of at least one of the measurement quantities to at least one of the threshold values. Each measurement quantity is compared to at least one threshold value; signals, which characterize exceeding or dropping below the threshold value, are generated; and the function is activated or deactivated when a pregiven combination of these signals is present.

Abstract: A fail-safe mechanism of an air induction control apparatus for automotive engines is provided which is designed to hold a throttle valve at a middle position when a valve actuator has failed to move the throttle valve. The fail-safe mechanism includes a middle position hold stopper, an opener lever connected to the throttle shaft, and a first and a second coil spring. The first coil spring works to exert a first spring pressure on the opener member in a first rotational direction in which the throttle valve is rotated from a fully opened position to the middle position. The first coil spring is urged at an end thereof into constant engagement with the middle position hold stopper to hold the opener member from rotating in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction. The second coil spring has a first and a second end between which the opener member extends. The first end abuts against the middle position hold stopper.

Abstract: A method is presented for improved interaction between driver demand, cruise control system and traction control system in an internal combustion vehicle. Desired engine output torque is adjusted based on the above inputs and vehicle operating conditions. This method improves drive feel and customer satisfaction with vehicle performance.

Abstract: Even in such an arrangement in which the throttle valve is operated independently of the engine control system, abnormal engine behavior is ensured to be detected such that a necessary fail-safe operation should be taken. The arrangement of the invention is comprised of the electronically controlled throttle system, engine control system and engine speed monitoring unit, wherein the electronically controlled throttle system is allowed to monitor engine behaviors. Thereby, in the case when the throttle valve is operated independently of the engine control system, if its engine behavior becomes abnormal relative to its drive contents, the engine system senses the abnormality, and takes a fail-safe operation such as to stop operation of the throttle valve and the like.

Abstract: A fail-safe processing method for an internal combustion engine including: carrying out a failure diagnosis for determining whether a failure of an electronic-controlled intake device occurs; determining whether a mode of the failure of the electronic-controlled intake device is a vehicle accelerating mode when it is determined that the failure occurs; carrying out a fail-safe processing when it is determined that the failure mode is the vehicle accelerating mode, wherein the fail-safe processing determines an optimal value of the valve-lift amount; and controlling a variable valve-lift mechanism in accordance with the optimal value of the valve-lift amount.

Abstract: A load adjusting device for a throttle (3) that determines the output of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle has an emergency-running spring (17) produced from an elastic material. A return spring (12) is configured as a steel spring and biases a lever (13) that is connected to the actuating shaft (2) via the emergency-running spring (17) against a stop (15) that is fixed to the housing. As a result, the load adjusting device is of particularly simple construction and can be produced cost-effectively.

Abstract: An electronic throttle control system performs open-loop control on a motor of an electronic throttle by pulse width modulation (PWM) control based on a target opening amount TAR set by an accelerator sensor. A microcomputer controls the current output to the motor by periodically controlling an excitation width of an on-pulse with a specified duty ratio. The microcomputer calculates a duty ratio corresponding to the set target opening amount TAR with an accuracy higher than its own resolution. When the calculated duty ratio exceeds a value of the output resolution, the microcomputer adds, e.g., every other cycle, a value having the output resolution to the duty ratio of the on-pulse which is periodically controlled, and averages the current output to the motor.

Abstract: A load adjustment apparatus for a final control element (4) which determines the power of an internal combustion engine and is arranged on an actuating shaft (2) has a torsion spring (18) which is stressed by a minimum-load gear between a minimum-load position and an emergency-running position and is stressed by an actuating gear (5) between a full-load position and the emergency-running position. The minimum-load gear has a dog (10) which can be pivoted in the same sense as a gearwheel (9) arranged on an intermediate gearwheel (8) and serves to take along one end (12) of the torsion spring (18), the end resting against a stop (13) in the emergency-running position. The torsion spring (18) loads the actuating part (4) and hence the actuating shaft (2) continuously into the emergency-running position.

Abstract: Disclosed is a throttle device for an internal-combustion engine, in which, on one side of the side wall of a throttle body, there are formed a space for mounting a reduction gear mechanism which transmits the power from a motor to a throttle valve shaft and a default opening setting mechanism for holding a throttle valve opening at a specific opening (default opening) when the ignition switch is in off position, and a gear cover mounting frame which edges the mounting space. The frame is formed lower than the mounting level of the reduction gear mechanism. A gear cover for covering the gear mounting space is attached on the frame. A stopper for defining the default opening and a stopper for defining the full-closed position of the throttle valve are juxtaposed so as to enable position adjustments in the same direction.

Abstract: Even in such an arrangement in which the throttle valve is operated independently of the engine control system, abnormal engine behavior is ensured to be detected such that a necessary fail-safe operation should be taken. The arrangement of the invention is comprised of the electronically controlled throttle system, engine control system and engine speed monitoring unit, wherein the electronically controlled throttle system is allowed to monitor engine behaviors. Thereby, in the case when the throttle valve is operated independently of the engine control system, if its engine behavior becomes abnormal relative to its drive contents, the engine system senses the abnormality, and takes a fail-safe operation such as to stop operation of the throttle valve and the like.

Abstract: A controller for an internal combustion engine detects a demand variable showing a demand from a driver, and controls an intake air volume to the internal combustion engine according to the detected demand variable. When trouble is detected in a system controlling the intake air volume, the controller switches a driving control of a vehicle to a emergency driving mode. In the emergency driving mode, the controller keeps the intake air volume to the internal combustion engine constant. The controller calculates a emergency driving control variable according to the detected demand variable, and controls the driving of the vehicle according to the calculated emergency driving control variable. The emergency driving control variable is a control variable different from the intake air volume. Thus, in the emergency driving mode, the driving of the vehicle can be controlled by the control variable different from the intake air volume, and a better drivability is ensured.

Abstract: An abrupt start prevention system for vehicles includes a signal input means for receiving engine rpm signals, vehicle speed signals, throttle valve position signals, and primary brake signals. According to the signals, an engine controller outputs control signals to control various elements of an engine according to the signals received from the signal input means. An element driver receives the control signals from the engine controller and driving various elements of the engine according to the control signals. Secondary brake signals are further transmitted to the signal input means so that the engine controller can identify a brake pedal depression even when one of the primary brake signals is not transmitted to the signal input means.

Abstract: A throttle control apparatus and method is disclosed in a vehicle having a throttle valve with a default position intermediate a fully-closed position and a fully-open position, and a spring mechanism coupled to the throttle valve that creates torque to move the throttle valve toward the default position in the absence of other torque. The throttle control apparatus includes an actuator for generating torque to open and close the throttle valve in response to a control signal, wherein the actuator is attached to the throttle valve by a mechanical coupling having lash. The throttle control apparatus also includes a processor in communication with the actuator, the processor generating the control signal based upon a command signal. The processor executes a stored program including a portion to compare a new value of the command signal with a prior value of the command signal, and to generate the control signal as a function of the deviation between the new and prior values of the command signal.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises two accelerator position sensors and two throttle position sensors, and when one out of said two accelerator position sensors or said two throttle position sensors fails to operate, a limitation is added to the increase in accelerator position for the output characteristics of the accelerator position sensor. Thereby, the vehicle is enabled to travel at a minimum speed necessary without excessively increasing the engine output. When one of the two throttle position sensors fails to operate, the fuel injection quantity may be set based on the detection value of the accelerator position, which enables the vehicle to be driven by approximately the desired speed without excessively increasing the engine output.