Abstract: Traction control for an internal combustion engine uses the gas pedal position, steering wheel position and velocity to set a wheel slip target during traction control operation.

Abstract: A technique for estimating a traction characteristic of a surface under a moving vehicle, such as the coefficient of friction of the surface. The traction characteristic can be estimated by generating a torque signal representative of at least an estimate of the amount of torque applied to the driven wheels of the vehicle. A load signal representative of at least an estimate of the load or weight applied to the driven wheels also is generated. The value of the torque signal is divided by the value of the load signal in order to generate a characteristic signal. Depending on the amount of slippage between the driven and non-driven wheels of the vehicle, the characteristic signal can be stored in order to provide an estimate of the traction characteristic of the surface in real time.

Abstract: An electronic traction controller for a vehicle reduces oscillations between a pair of driving wheels which may occur when the the traction controller attempts to control wheel spin of the driving wheels on surfaces which have differing frictional resistances, such as roads partially covered by snow and ice. The traction controller estimates the coefficient of friction beneath each of the driving wheels, and if the frictional resistance of the surfaces beneath each of the driving wheels varies by more than a predetermined amount, or if only one wheel is spinning, a value indicative of the inertia torque of the driving wheel and powertrain combination is determined, and compared against a predetermined value. A slip error value for each of the driving wheels is generated, which is indicative of the difference between the actual rotational speed of the driving wheel and the desired rotational speed of the driving wheel.

Abstract: Techniques for controlling the spin of driven wheels of a vehicle being driven over a surface, the vehicle also including nondriven wheels and an engine having a fuel system for varying engine torque. A characteristic signal representative of at least an estimate of the value of a traction characteristic of a surface under the vehicle is generated. A drive signal having a value dependent on the value of the characteristic signal is then generated. The engine torque is varied in response to the drive signal in order to control the spin of the driven wheels of the vehicle.