Abstract: A vehicle deceleration controller which is able to relatively reliably satisfy the intended deceleration of the driver irrespective of changes in the vehicle speed, the gradient of the driving road surface and the total weight of the vehicle includes a deceleration determining device that determines a required deceleration in accordance with the vehicle speed and the gradient of the driving road surface with reference to stored characteristic information, and an operation mode determining device that determines the required operation mode in accordance with the required deceleration determined by the deceleration determining device and the vehicle speed and the total vehicle weight with reference to stored characteristic information. An outputting device operates a braking force generating device with the required operation mode when it is determined that the accelerator has been released.

Abstract: A travel speed controller for use in an electrically powered light weight vehicle with a battery-powered motor and a control circuit. If an operator applies some accelerating force or a physical force, to the vehicle body, the control circuit receives a plus signal from a rotation transmission means attached to its wheel, corresponding to the accelerating force, and calculates an acceleration based on operation treatment of variation of time intervals of the pulse signal, memorizes the acceleration, and supplies to the motor a driving electric current corresponding to the memorized acceleration. If a higher acceleration is calculated, the memorized acceleration is renewed and a driving electric current is supplied to the motor, corresponding to the renewed acceleration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a maneuvering assistance system for automotive vehicles and a method of maneuvering automotive vehicles which permit a simple and safe maneuvering of the automotive vehicle particularly during a parking procedure. The present invention is especially advantageous when the automotive vehicle needs to be maneuvered, for example, on a steep positive or negative gradient. According to the present invention, a preselected or adjustable maneuvering speed is chosen such that the driver is not surprised by unwanted reactions of the automotive vehicle. The present invention especially comprises an accelerator pedal sensor [(5)] for detecting an accelerator pedal position [(&agr;)] and a device for determining a speed [(vref)] of the vehicle.

Abstract: An improved traction control system in which a wheel spin condition is detected based on measured vehicle acceleration instead of measured wheel speeds. An electronic controller detects a wheel spin condition by computing the acceleration of the vehicle drive shaft and comparing the computed acceleration to an acceleration threshold stored as function of vehicle speed and wheel torque. If the computed acceleration exceeds the threshold for more than a predetermined time, the engine torque is reduced in relation to the amount by which the computed acceleration exceeds the threshold. When the computed acceleration falls below the threshold, the torque reduction is gradually removed. The wheel torque, vehicle speed and drive shaft acceleration are easily determined and filtered, and the incremental cost of the traction control function is primarily related to the memory requirements to accommodate the acceleration threshold look-up table.

Abstract: An exhaust brake control system for a vehicle drive train having an internal combustion engine with an exhaust system includes an exhaust brake valve in the exhaust system. Further, a controller controls the exhaust brake valve through a number of position commands from fully open to fully closed. Inputs to the controller affecting its operation include a speed sensor, a drive coupling sensor, a gear selection sensor, an overdrive gear sensor, an engine speed sensor, a throttle sensor, a pressure sensor and a warm-up sensor. A user interface both receives and sends information from and to the controller. The exhaust brake control system not only includes modulation of the exhaust brake, but also provides for control of a torque converter clutch, automatic transmission and overdrive. With throttled engines the intake throttle valve can be opened and the fuel supply disabled. Modulation of the exhaust brake valve is responsive to speed and acceleration.

Abstract: Torque is distributed by calculating first and second torque commands using a requested torque and a ratio of speeds of first and second wheels and limiting them in accordance with respective torque command approved ranges and approved change rates; converting the limited torque commands to horsepower commands and limiting them in accordance with respective horsepower command approved ranges and approved change rates; and converting the limited horsepower commands to present torque commands. Maximum horsepower available is determined by using an engine speed to determine a nominal amount of available horsepower; applying a desired load status signal and an actual engine load status signal to a proportional-integral A regulator; and using the nominal amount of available horsepower and an output signal of the regulator to determine the maximum amount of available horsepower.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) is provided for automatically actuating a brake system (28) in a work vehicle. The work vehicle has an engine (12) and a plurality of ground engaging wheels (24). At least one of the wheels (24) is driven by the engine (12) for propelling the vehicle. The brake system (28) is provided for opposing motion of at least one of the wheels. The apparatus (10) includes speed sensor (20) for sensing actual engine speed and responsively producing an actual engine speed signal. A controller (64) receives the actual engine speed signal and produces an error signal in response a difference between the actual and desired engine speed signals. The controller (64) further produce a control signal in response to the error signal. An actuator (76, 52, 58) is provided for receiving the control signal and controlling the braking force applied by the brake system (28) so as to reduce the error signal to zero.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and a system for aiding a starting movement of a vehicle. Problems occur particularly when starting on a hill or on a steeply sloping road because it is difficult or impossible for the vehicle operator to simultaneously release the foot brake pedal and operate the accelerator pedal and thus provide an engine torque necessary for the corresponding starting operation. It is an object of the invention to provide a process and a system for aiding a starting movement of a vehicle by means of which the starting movement can be carried out without problems and in an uncomplicated manner and without endangering other traffic participants. In the process and system according to the invention, this is achieved in that the rest position of the vehicle is ensured by means of a braking intervention by way of an external power or secondary brake circuit if the braking force exercised by the vehicle operator is not sufficient.

Abstract: A method of controlling the idle speed of an internal combustion engine of a vehicle from a first idle speed to a second idle speed that is higher than the first idle speed in response to a driver originating indication that is independent of the acceleration control of the vehicle. The higher second idle speed is set to achieve a desired level of vehicle creep. When the driver originating indication indicates that vehicle motion is no longer desired, the engine idle speed is returned to the first lower idle speed. The change between the first lower idle speed and the second higher idle speed can be accomplished in a stepping or ramping fashion. In addition, the first and second idle speeds are adjusted in response to changes in engine operating parameters such as engine coolant temperature, changes in engine load, and vehicle speed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving efficiency and reducing emissions of an internal combustion engine coupled to an inertial load. An apparatus is provided for controlling the energy exchange between engine and load so that the maximum conversion efficiency is obtained for both directions of energy flow. Valve controls make the engine a variable displacement expander or compressor so that kinetic energy received from the load by the engine may be stored as compressed air and returned to the load by the engine. These controls eliminate all fuel consumption and emissions when power is not required by the load, and utilize the stored energy in conventional engine operation.

Abstract: Valves for maintaining pressure at the vehicle brakes are activated when the vehicle reference speed falls below a predetermined value, whether the pressure is supplied by the brake pedal or an ASR. The energy supply for the valves is prevented from being switched off while the pressure is maintained.

Abstract: An arrangement for collision prevention is provided for an apparatus, in particular an x-ray examination apparatus, having components that can be moved by drive means. A collision is detected by way of detecting the speed of a relevant moving part and detecting the current and/or power supply to the drive means. Reference values for current and/or power supply at normal operation in dependence of the speed acquired by moving components are provided from a memory means and actually required current and/or power supplies are compared to said reference values. In addition, actual positions of components are detected and compared to computed expected positions of said components. A collision is detected when the required current and/or power supply exceeds a relevant reference value and the detected actual position deviates from the corresponding calculated expected position.

Abstract: A brake mechanism is retainable releasably in a braking state and includes a fixed base member to which a brake pedal unit is connected pivotally. An electromagnet is mounted on the brake pedal unit. A motor unit is located on one side of the electromagnet and has a driving shaft with a first end portion extending away from the electromagnet and a second end portion extending toward the electromagnet. A sheave is mounted securely on the first end portion of the driving shaft. A string unit has a first end portion connected to the sheave and a second end portion to be secured to a body part of the automobile. A permanent magnet is sleeved on and is movable along the second end portion of the driving shaft. The motor unit and the electromagnet are normally deactivated so as to permit the electromagnet to attract normally with the permanent magnet in order to prevent rotation of the driving shaft to prevent correspondingly winding of the string unit on the sheave.

Abstract: This invention provides a hill-holder control system for operating vehicle brakes of a nature readily retrofit on existing vehicles. This system solves the problem of stopping and starting motion as when a traffic signal is encountered upon an upwardly inclined roadway while preventing backward motion of the vehicle. This problem is even more particularly evident in vehicles having a clutch where a foot must be removed from the brake to the accelerator and the clutch disengaged in a critical rhythmic sequence. Provisions are made so that backwards motion under control of the driver is possible in an automated embodiment of the invention by way of a manual override braking switch. In order to actuate the braking, a sensor is conditionally responsive solely to rearward movement of said vehicle is provided for latching a braking solenoid into braking position for release, for example, the braking is not actuated under the conditions that the accelerator lever is depressed or that reverse gear is engaged.

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.

Abstract: A hydraulic control system for an automatic transmission of an automotive vehicle with an exhaust braking unit is provided. This hydraulic control system serves to elevate hydraulic pressure utilized for actuating frictional elements of the automatic transmission during exhaust braking operation toward a preselected level when the pay load of the vehicle is greater than a preselected threshold value for securing tight engagement of the frictional elements without any slippage.