Abstract: A method for braking a vehicle in a driving situation, in which an automatic braking function is active. The hydraulic pump of the brake control system may be sized to be relatively small and cost-effective, if, in critical driving situations, an additional braking device is automatically switched on or its braking capacity is increased, in order to assist the service brake and further decelerate the vehicle.

Abstract: A braking system in a land vehicle having wheels for movement and a motor rotating the wheels. The braking system includes a brake rotor that is secured to one of the wheels. A brake caliper is secured to the vehicle for grasping the rotor in response to a caliper actuation signal. A brake pedal is secured to the land vehicle for movement by the vehicle driver. A pedal sensor is connected to the pedal for sensing the movement thereof and generating a braking signal in response to the movement of the pedal. A power train control module is secured to the vehicle for controlling the speed at which the motor rotates the wheels in response to a deactivation signal. A camera is mounting on the vehicle for generating a video signal representative of the incident light entering the camera. A central processing unit (CPU) is connected to the pedal sensor, the brake caliper and the camera.

Abstract: A brake system and powered implement, such as a lawn mower, incorporating the same. In one aspect the invention is a system for stopping an electrically grounded rotating member of an engine powered by an ignition circuit, the system comprising: a conductive member operably coupled to the ignition circuit that renders the engine inoperative when electrically grounded, the conductive member mounted adjacent the rotating member; and the conductive member normally biased into a brake position in which the conductive member contacts the rotating member and is electrically grounded as a result of the contact with the rotating member.

Abstract: A vehicle powertrain with engine start-stop characteristics is capable of maintaining a vehicle stationary on a roadway with a gradient when wheel brakes are applied to stop the vehicle as the engine is shut down. Vehicle creep and vehicle launch is achieved as the engine is re-started following detection of a brake release signal based on engine speed.

Abstract: A method for the operation of an automatic transmission in a motor vehicle. The downshifting of the transmission takes advantage of a braking action of a driving motor connected to the automatic transmission through a clutch, are terminated by the closing of a clutch during a compression phase lasting until the achievement of a predetermined threshold speed. For the improvement of the immediacy of the vehicle drive after the termination of the compression phase, the invention provides that at speeds less than the threshold speed, downshifting is carried out and is terminated with an open clutch.

Abstract: A self-propelled vehicle for conveyance that can be safely stopped without deviating from a predetermined route when an obstacle is detected during running, and a method of controlling a stop of the self-propelled vehicle for conveyance are provided. The method of controlling the stop of the self-propelled vehicle for conveyance includes a second detection step in which an obstacle located at a set distance is detected during the running of the self-propelled vehicle for conveyance, and a stop step in which a leftward or rightward positional deviation of the self-propelled vehicle for conveyance from the predetermined route is correctively controlled in the state where brake means for a pair of left and right driving wheels are released and the self-propelled vehicle for conveyance is stopped, when the positional deviation turns out to be present on the basis of detection of the obstacle in the second detection step.

Abstract: A method for starting or stopping a vehicle on a gradient. In order to protect the clutch (12) against overheating and therefore against excessive wear during the actuation of at least one brake (48) and simultaneous pressing of the accelerator pedal (44), a torque reduction in the form of a torque reduction request is transmitted to the engine control unit (40) taking into account the position of an accelerator pedal, and a reduced torque is transmitted to the clutch on the basis of said torque reduction request.

Abstract: A method and a device are for activating an electric parking brake of a motor vehicle, e.g., a road motor vehicle. Initiation of a connection process is recognized for disconnecting a drive motor of the vehicle when the vehicle is parked. The electric parking brake is initially activated after the initiation of the parking step, and the drive motor is disconnected thereafter. As a result, the drive motor may be used to activate the parking brake.

Abstract: A method of operating a drivetrain of a motor vehicle such that the drivetrain comprises a drive aggregate (1), an accelerator pedal (5) and a brake pedal (6). According to the invention, when the accelerator pedal (5) and the brake pedal (6) are not actuated and the drivetrain is operated in a crawling mode, thereafter if actuation of the brake pedal (6) is then detected and such actuation is by less than a defined limit amount, a crawling torque supplied for crawling operation is reduced without calling for any auxiliary braking energy to assist with braking. In contrast, if during the crawling operation, the brake pedal (6) is actuated by more than the defined limit amount, a crawling torque supplied for crawling operation is reduced and auxiliary braking energy is also called for to assist with braking.

Abstract: A braking/driving force control apparatus for a vehicle includes a drive wheel configured to be driven by an output of a drive source; a brake unit configured to control a braking force to be applied to the drive wheel, in accordance with a state of the vehicle; and a brake control unit configured to control the brake unit, and configured to reduce a brake torque of the drive source when the brake unit actually applies a braking force to at least the drive wheel of the vehicle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for controlling a drive train with an internal combustion engine, a transmission and an automatically actuated brake system. In the event of a defect of the transmission, retardation is effected by means of the automatically actuated brake system in order to avoid impermissibly high speeds in the drive train.

Abstract: A device for automatically controlling vehicle speed, including a processor, wherein the processor includes logic to determine a vehicle acceleration rate value, wherein the processor is configured to receive at least a first signal indicative of a first local required speed, a second signal indicative of a second local required speed received after the first signal, a third signal indicative of a value of a current vehicle speed, and information that enables the processor to determine the vehicle acceleration rate value, wherein the processor further includes logic to automatically determine a new set vehicle speed based at least on the first local required speed, the second local required speed, the current vehicle speed, and the determined vehicle acceleration rate value, and automatically initiate output of a signal to a vehicle speed controller to change vehicle speed to the new set vehicle speed.

Abstract: A deceleration control device for a vehicle including an automatic transmission capable of changing the gear ratio by a shift operation of a driver. The control device controls the load of a brake actuator or engine so that the vehicle is decelerated, when the driver performs a shift operation, under conditions that it is determined that the driver has the intention to decelerate and the automatic transmission is not downshifted.

Abstract: A method for controlling a drive system and/or a wheel braking system, a total braking torque consisting of a drive braking torque and/or a wheel braking torque to be applied to the wheels of a motor vehicle is adjusted such that the desired wheel braking torque is reduced by an amount which can be compensated by a (preferably maximally) possible increase of the drive braking torque, when the wheel braking system is particularly loaded and when the vehicle velocity is approximately constant (steady-state) operating mode. However, the increase of the drive braking torque is limited to a predefined amount (preferably achievable in the fired coasting operation) when the wheel braking system is loaded less highly or the vehicle velocity changes (dynamic operating mode).

Abstract: A method of controlling fuel injection in an engine of a vehicle comprises reactivating fuel injectors based on release or decrease of driver braking during deceleration fuel shut off operation. According to another aspect, a method of controlling fuel injection in an engine of a vehicle comprises reactivating fuel injectors based on release or decrease of driver braking during deceleration fuel shut off; and increasing air flow to a cylinder before reactivation of fuel injectors in response to said release or decrease of driver braking to enhance torque response. The methods allow an engine to exit DFSO earlier by making use the brake input and effort, which provides time to reactivate the fuel injection and stabilize torque control prior to tip-in.

Abstract: A method for controlling an engine of a vehicle operated by a driver may comprise detecting actuation of a braking device of the vehicle by the driver; calculating a parameter indicative of an actual amount of braking effort by said driver based on vehicle conditions; and adjusting an engine operating parameter based on said parameter. The method can adjust a number of cylinders carrying out combustion, fuel cut operation, a level of powertrain output torque (positive, and/or negative), and/or other engine parameters.

Abstract: Brake pads are retracted with respect to the brake rotor responsive to predetermined conditions of the motor vehicle in which braking is not required. Selective application of negative brake line pressure causes the caliper pistons to retract with respect to their respective caliper cylinders, thereby causing the brake pads to retract from the brake rotor. The predetermined conditions of the motor vehicle when braking is not required include when the motor vehicle is cruising or is parked.

Abstract: A method and a device for controlling functions of an occupational vehicle (1) comprising a driving motor (2), a clutch (3), a service brake (13, 14) that acts upon the wheels (11, 12) of the vehicle, a working device (21), and a hydraulic pump (15) which supplies the actuators (32) of the clutch (3), the service brake (13, 14), and the actuators (19, 20) of the working device (21) with pressure, via hydraulic pressure pipes. In order to reduce the fuel consumption, distribute in an optimal and user-relevant manner, the hydraulic pressure generated by the pump (15), and facilitate operation of such a vehicle, the clutch (3) is automatically opened and the service brake (13, 14) is automatically closed when the load acting upon the working device (21) of the vehicle exceeds a preset threshold or is actuated so as to exceed the threshold.

Abstract: A method for controlling a hybrid drive of a vehicle is described, the hybrid drive including as propulsion motors an internal combustion engine and at least one electric motor/generator, and the output shafts of the propulsion motors being operatively linkable to a power train of the vehicle. The propulsion motors and an electrically activatable braking system of the vehicle are activated in a coordinated manner as a function of a negative torque request, taking this negative torque request into account.

Abstract: In a driving condition control system, a sensing unit is configured to sense a first physical quantity indicative of a rotation of the first rotatable axle assembly and a second physical quantity indicative of a rotation of the second rotatable axle assembly. A correcting unit is configured to correct the torque according to the sensed first and second physical quantities of the rotations of the first and second rotational axle assemblies. This allows the torque to be precisely obtained.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for distributing brake torque between at least one first and one second brake device on a motor vehicle including at least two wheel pairs. The first brake device is a friction brake which acts on at least one wheel pair and the second brake device acts on at least the driven wheel pair via the transmission and is disposed before the clutch device of the transmission. Brake torque is distributed between the first and the second brake device in a manner that compensates for the loss of brake torque which occurs when the second brake device is disengaged by the clutch device of the transmission.

Abstract: According to a control device for a hydraulic winch, a regulator controls a motor capacity of a hydraulic motor having variable capacity functioning as a driving source of the hydraulic winch in response to a load pressure, a negative brake stops and retains the hydraulic motor at an automatic shutoff for prevention of overloading, and a controller sends signals to the regulator via a regulator-controlling valve at the automatic shutoff to set the motor capacity at a large value. Thus, the delay to recover the motor capacity at the time of returning from the automatic shutoff that is activated during winding-up of a load does not occur, and a control response is increased.

Abstract: A hydraulic control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle, which enables a smooth torque transmission when an engine of the vehicle is started from an idling stop state. The hydraulic control apparatus includes an engine and a motor as power sources, a transmission having a torque converter, a clutch for a starting gear, an engine automatic stop and start device which is associated with the engine, a motor-driven oil pump for supplying oil pressure to the transmission, a brake pedal sensor, an accelerator pedal sensor, an engine revolution rate sensor. The oil pressure applied to the clutch is controlled to a level corresponding to a creeping torque when the engine is automatically stopped. When the brake pedal is released, the engine is automatically started, the accelerator pedal is not depressed, and the engine revolution rate is less than an idling revolution rate, the oil pressure applied to the clutch is maintained to the level corresponding to the creeping torque.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for determining when vehicle powertrain torque is being used to substantially maintain a vehicle at a substantially zero speed on a graded surface, and to shift the supplied torque from the powertrain to another vehicle system or component. A vehicle controller determines that the powertrain system is supplying a hold torque, which has a magnitude sufficient to substantially maintain the vehicle at a substantially zero speed on the graded surface. A brake torque at a magnitude at least equivalent to the hold torque is automatically applied from the vehicle brake system to thereby maintain the vehicle at the substantially zero speed. Thus, the powertrain system can remove the torque it is supplying to hold the vehicle at the substantially zero speed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a value of torque at a desired location on a machine. The method and apparatus includes choosing the desired location, determining an operating condition relevant to the desired location, determining a plurality of parameters of the machine, and determining a value of torque at the desired location as a function of the operating condition and the plurality of parameters.

Abstract: An engine deceleration control system for an internal combustion engine of a vehicle is arranged to prohibit correcting an air quantity supplied to the engine when an elapsed time period from a moment of turning off of an accelerator of the engine is within a first predetermined time period, or when an elapsed time period from a moment of turning off of a lockup clutch of a torque converter is within a second predetermined time period or when a shifting of a transmission connected to the engine is being executed, and to cancel prohibiting the correction of the supplied air quantity when a braking operation is executed.

Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle with a butterfly valve, where the butterfly valve is opened and a fuel supply is cut off when the vehicle is in an overrun phase, the method including the steps of determining a first value of a position of the butterfly valve during the overrun phase as a function of a vehicle speed and an engine rpm value at a beginning of the overrun phase, adjusting the butterfly valve to the first value during the overrun phase; and adjusting the butterfly valve to a second value, which is calculated as a function of the vehicle speed and the engine rpm's, instead of to a value based on a gas pedal position for a certain predetermined time after an end of the overrun phase.

Abstract: An automatic stop/start-up control system of an engine, recognizes an early drop of a power assist for brakes while the engine is automatically stopped. The control system enables the will of a driving person to be adequately reflected and the driving person does not feel a sense of incongruity when braking. Accordingly, the automatic stop/start-up control apparatus automatically stops the engine when an automatic stop condition is satisfied while the engine is driven, and automatically starts up the engine when an automatic start-up condition is satisfied while start-up of the engine is stopped. The control apparatus includes a power assist detector to detect power assist of an underpressure assist type brake apparatus equipped in the vehicle and a controller to control so as to automatically start up the engine when a decreasing rate per unit time of power assist, which the power assist detector detects while the engine is automatically stopped, exceeds a first setting value.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling combustion engine compression braking having the variable timing of the dwell period of at least one exhaust valve by an electronic control module within each one of the engine cylinders during a braking event as well as the variable timing of the commencement or onset of the braking event. The system and method thus facilitate the proper performance of the braking event as a function of engine speed and prevents interference or physical impact with the cam driving elements used for achieving the normal or regular exhaust valve event.

Abstract: In braking/driving force controlling apparatus and method for an automotive vehicle, a state discriminating section discriminates between a parking state in which a manipulation for the vehicle to be parked is carried out and a non-parking state in which no manipulation for the vehicle to be parked is carried out, a controller detects a manipulated variable of a manual input section, generates a constant target vehicle speed corresponding to the detected manipulated variable in a case where the state discriminating section discriminates the parking state, calculates a vehicular braking/driving force for a present vehicle speed to become the target vehicle speed, and controls the vehicular braking/driving force on the basis of the calculated braking/driving force.

Abstract: The invention proposes a process for determining the driving torque of a vehicle as it is starting. This process and device uses a model of the idling properties of the engine, a comparing element for the output values of the model and corresponding measured values or values derived therefrom, and a determining element for determining the driving torque of the vehicle according to the results of the comparison. Furthermore, the invention discloses a process and device for determining an externally generated variable that drives or brakes the vehicle as well as for supporting uphill starting. In addition, processes and devices for determining externally generated variables/torques as well as for supporting uphill starting are disclosed.

Abstract: A method shuts down and switches on cylinders in a motor vehicle internal-combustion engine. Injection valves are controlled by an engine timing system as a function of vehicle operating conditions. The shutting-down of cylinders is carried out sequentially according to a defined program. Vehicle brakes can be acted upon in a power-operated manner. In order to prevent a switching jolt when shut-down cylinders are switched on again, when the cylinders are switched on again, the running up of the engine takes place in steps according to another defined program and a braking intervention is carried out.

Abstract: A vehicle start system including a gear selector moveable to change from one of a plurality of drive conditions to a Start condition, for effecting Start-up of the vehicle engine. The system unifies the functions of a conventional gear shifter and an ignition switch assembly, A method of starting a vehicle utilizing the system is also described.

Abstract: A longitudinal driving/braking force control system for controlling the vehicle speed and/or the headway vehicle-to-vehicle distance is arranged to bring a vehicle to a stop and to hold the vehicle in a stop condition with a stop holding braking force in a predetermined situation. When an accelerator pedal is depressed by a driver in the stop condition, a controller decreases the braking force from the stop holding braking force to zero according to a predetermined brake releasing characteristic to allow a start of the vehicle. In response to a driver's accelerator operation, the controller calculates a driver's input driving force, estimates a grade resistance of the vehicle and further calculates a brake actuation quantity corresponding to the grade resistance. Then, the controller modifies the brake releasing characteristic to ensure a smooth start in accordance with the calculated driver's input driving force, the estimated grade resistance and the calculated brake actuation quantity.

Abstract: An automatic control for operating an engine retarder, service brakes, and an automatic transmission associated with earth moving equipment is provided. The automatic control monitors engine speed and responsively produces control signals to maintain engine speed within predetermined limits.

Abstract: An engine automatic speed control apparatus which exhibits a smooth transition from brake release to an engine drive state. An ECU determines braking force such that a vehicle does not move in correspondence with the slope of a road surface according to a road surface slope sensor while monitoring an operated quantity of a brake pedal according to a brake pedal operated-quantity sensor. The ECU stops an engine when braking force is applied via the brake pedal such that the vehicle does not move. After stopping the engine, the ECU determines braking force such that the vehicle does not move in correspondence with slope of the road surface according to the road surface slope sensor, and restarts the engine when braking force becomes less than braking force required to maintain the vehicle in a stopped state. The ECU then restarts the engine in the interval from relaxing of braking force via the brake pedal until the brake pedal is released.

Abstract: A negative pressure control apparatus for a brake booster is provided which can maintain a required negative pressure in the brake booster without unnecessarily increasing the negative pressure of the brake booster. The apparatus has a negative pressure controller for controlling the negative pressure in a negative pressure chamber of the brake booster toward a predetermined target value. A pedal operation determining part determines whether or not both an accelerator pedal and a brake pedal are depressed. When both the accelerator pedal and the brake pedal are depressed, a target negative pressure setting part sets the predetermined target value to be larger than a value used in a regular situation.

Abstract: In an automobile having a pair of front wheels, a pair of rear wheels, a brake system for selectively braking each of the pairs of front and rear wheels, an engine, a transmission system including a speed change gear device for selectively providing a plurality of transmission gear ratios, a center differential device, a front differential device, and a rear differential device, the traction control device detects slipping conditions of each of the pairs of front and rear wheels, and controls the brake system so as to brake at least one of the pairs of front and rear wheels for execution of traction controls according to one of at least two separate traction control programs which are automatically changed over for execution according to selections of the transmission gear ratios of the speed change gear device for a relatively high speed driving or a relatively low speed driving.

Abstract: A retarder system for a vehicular drive train is disclosed. The retarder system includes a compression brake being adapted to operate in multiple stages to slow the speed of the engine and a fluid retarder being adapted to operate in multiple stages to absorb power from the drive train. A controller regulates the operational stages of the compression brake and the fluid retarder so that the compression brake and the fluid retarder operate in combination to slow the speed of the vehicle.

Abstract: In a process and apparatus for braking a hybrid drive vehicle, kinetic vehicular energy is converted by the driving electric motor into electrical power, which alternatively can be absorbed by charging a traction battery or by driving a combustion engine via a generator coupled to the engine, which is functioning as a motor. According to the invention, engine braking is activated if the traction battery is fully charged, if its temperature lies outside a predetermined charging temperature range, or if the charging current due to the electrical power supplied by the driving electric motor exceeds a predetermined limit value.

Abstract: A traction control system for a motor vehicle having driving wheels and driven wheels includes a device for detecting the speed of each of the driving wheels of the vehicle, a device for detecting the speed of each of the driven wheels of the vehicle, a device for calculating a slip value of the driving wheels based on the detected speeds of the driving and driven wheels, a traction control device for controlling the driving wheel so that the slip value of each driving wheel is equal to a predetermined desired slip value when the slip value of each driving wheel is greater than the predetermined desired slip value, and a device for estimating a friction coefficient of a road surface which is employed when the predetermined desired slip value is determined.