Abstract: A pedal device includes a first link, a second link, and a return spring that biases the first link toward a standard position at which a pivot angle of the first link is zero. A ratio of a pivot angle of the second link to the pivot angle of the first link is maximum when the pivot angle of the first link is a reference angle. A target acceleration/deceleration of a vehicle is calculated so that in the range in which the pivot angle of the first link is smaller than the reference angle, a target deceleration of the vehicle increases as the pivot angle of the first link is smaller, and in the range in which the pivot angle of the first link is larger than the reference angle, a target acceleration of the vehicle increases as the pivot angle of the first link increases.

Abstract: A fuel saving system for a vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine and having a hydraulically activated automatic transmission. The system includes a hydraulic pump able to supply pressurized transmission fluid to the automatic transmission, an energy storage device, and at least one motor powered by the energy storage device including a motor that is mechanically connected to the hydraulic pump and a motor that is coupled to the engine. The system also includes a controller that is responsive to one or more operating conditions to turn off the engine when the vehicle is stopped and to use the motor that is mechanically connected to the hydraulic pump so as to activate the pump to supply sufficient power to the transmission to maintain engagement of the transmission in a driving gear. The controller is also responsive to one or more operating conditions to activate the motor that is coupled to the engine so as to restart the engine with the transmission engaged in a driving gear.

Abstract: A control system for use in a vehicle having left and right clutch assemblies, each clutch assembly including a brake mechanism and a drive mechanism. The control system includes a steering switch having a left steering position to actuate the left brake mechanism and the right drive mechanism, a neutral steering position to actuate the left and right drive mechanisms, and a right steering position to actuate the left drive mechanism and the right brake mechanism. The system may also include an operator switch having a first position to actuate brake mechanisms and disable the steering switch, and a second position that passes control of both brake clutch assemblies to the steering switch. The system may further include a brake switch having a brake position that actuates both brake mechanisms and disables the operator switch and the steering switch, and a drive position that passes control of both clutch assemblies to the operator switch.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, an electrical load may be automatically activated to consume electrical energy produced during driveline braking so that driveline braking may be extended. The electrical load may be a windscreen heater or other device.

Abstract: A vehicle accelerator pedal actuator may include a pressurized fluid source, a mounting mechanism configured to fix the accelerator pedal actuator relative to a vehicle accelerator pedal, and an actuating mechanism in fluid communication with the pressurized fluid source and configured to displace the vehicle accelerator pedal. The vehicle accelerator pedal actuator may further include a valve member selectively controlling fluid communication between the pressurized fluid source and the actuating mechanism.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a vehicle includes: a controller configured to automatically stop an engine based on a condition that includes depressing a brake pedal, the controller configured to restart the engine in response to a state where the brake pedal is released without being depressed further after the engine is automatically stopped, the controller configured to maintain the engine at a standstill in case the brake pedal is depressed further after the engine is automatically stopped even if the brake pedal is released.

Abstract: A method and a HAC system controls a hill-state assist control (HAC) operation when restarting an engine of the vehicle having an idle stop and go (ISG) system for an automatic transmission. The method includes starting restarting of the engine by the ISG system and an HAC operation, monitoring the RPM of the engine, and releasing the HAC operation in a case where the RPM of the engine meets an HAC release condition, and maintaining the HAC operation until the HAC release condition is met in a case where the RPM of the engine does not meet the HAC release condition.

Abstract: An automatic transmission is disclosed providing eight forward ratios and one reverse ratio wherein the first forward ratio is selected by engaging exactly one friction brake using an electro-mechanical actuator. An operating method is disclosed for a vehicle having a transmission with this characteristic. The disclosed operating method permits the engine to be shut off to save fuel while the vehicle is stationary and then to start moving before an engine driven pump creates hydraulic pressure to engage the clutches.

Abstract: A method for restarting an engine of a vehicle includes engaging a gear of a transmission that driveably connects the engine and wheels of the vehicle; maintaining a current brake pressure greater than a reference brake pressure; initiating an automatic engine restart; using a timer to count down during a period of predetermined length; using a pump to produce a desired magnitude of brake pressure sufficient to suppress a wheel torque surge produced by restarting the engine and to hold the vehicle stationary; and releasing the brake pressure if either the timer expires or a peak in engine speed occurs.

Abstract: A comparator compares the total intake air amount accumulated by an accumulator with a reference value obtained via a selector. If the total intake air amount is smaller than the reference value, the CSS control is determined as being abnormal and a CSS-abnormality signal is output. If the number of times an atmospheric pressure learning value has been updated is equal to or larger than a threshold that is set large enough to determine that the accuracy of the calculated atmospheric pressure learning value is sufficiently high, a reference value is output from a characteristic storage to the comparator. Conversely, if the number of times the atmospheric pressure learning value has been updated is smaller than the threshold, an initial reference value is output from an initial reference value storage to the comparator.

Abstract: A drive unit includes an engine and a transmission having a variable transmission ratio. An instantaneous setpoint power output quantity of the drive unit is determined from an intended power output. The setpoint power output quantity is a function of the instantaneous transmission ratio of the transmission at least for a given intended power output.

Abstract: In a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine which has an automatic start/stop device, and a controllable brake device at the start of and during an automatic stop phase, the effect of a braking torque which is greater than a threshold value is ensured. For this purpose, the brake device can increase the braking torque. The threshold value is previously calculated in such a way that the motor vehicle is reliably prevented from rolling away. As a result, the internal combustion engine can be stopped frequently, and at the same time unintentional rolling away of the motor vehicle during the stop phase can be avoided.

Abstract: The system includes an engine, a sensor, and a controller. The engine provides a driving motion for the vehicle. The sensor unit is configured to determine a range of a leading vehicle. The controller is in communication with the engine and the sensor unit, such that the controller may shut down the engine based on the range of the lead vehicle as determined by the sensor unit.

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: A bush cutting machine including has an operation rod, a cutter blade mounted to the front end of the operation rod for undergoing rotation, and a prime mover mounted to the rear end of the operation rod for rotationally driving the cutter blade. A throttle lever is pivotally mounted with respect to the operation rod for controlling an opening degree of a throttle valve of the prime mover to adjust a rotational speed of the cutter blade. A brake unit stops rotation of the cutter blade. A link mechanism is disposed in close proximity to the prime mover and is actuated by operation of the throttle lever to adjust the degree of opening of the throttle valve of the prime mover and to release the brake unit from a braking condition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a parking brake system for transmissions of motor vehicle, especially for an automatic transmission and an automated selector transmission, having one parking brake for blocking or releasing the transmission according to actuation signals of a control device, especially by a pawl engaging and disengaging in a parking brake gear connected with the output of the transmission, an electric operative connection between the control device in the interior of the motor vehicle and the parking brake, a spring accumulator (9) for actuating the parking brake and a pressure-controlled release device of the parking brake. It is proposed to load the release device (10) when releasing the parking brake with a negative pressure independent of the transmission and which is preferably taken from the suction system (15) of the internal combustion engine of the motor vehicle or from a negative pressure brake force booster of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A portable trimmer capable of applying to a throttle valve a different operation from that according to a throttle operation lever. The portable trimmer includes a brake device for braking the movement of a cutting blade that is released in conjunction with a throttle operation. The portable trimmer includes a throttle wire having a first throttle wire extending between a throttle operation lever and a swingable member, and a second wire portion extending between a swingable member and a throttle to provide a first operation transmission path for transmitting the movement of the throttle operation lever to the throttle valve. The portable trimmer further includes an additional operation lever for performing a different operation from said throttle operation, and a pulley pivotally attached to the swingable member.

Abstract: An enhanced braking mode for a work machine includes activating engine compression release brakes while placing a torque converter in an overspeed condition. By doing so, both the engine and the torque converter contribute to decelerating the work machine. This combined braking horsepower is greater than that available using the engine compression release brakes with the torque converter in a locked condition. In addition, the braking horsepower available in this enhanced braking mode is comparable to that available with the employment of hydraulic retarders, which can be substantially more expensive, and require additional hydraulic cooling system capability. The enhanced braking mode is preferably carried out automatically by the electronic control module when the vehicle is in a retarding mode.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for controlling the road speed of a motor vehicle has an accelerator pedal (12), which is biased counter to its actuating direction into an inoperative position and is movable from the inoperative position into a neutral position, from which a further movement of the accelerator pedal (12) counter to the spring bias leads to an increase of the drive torque of the motor vehicle drive. A device for detecting the inoperative position of the accelerator pedal (12) is connected to a braking-force generator (40) and in the inoperative position of the accelerator pedal (12) causes the braking-force generator (40) to make a predetermined braking force available.

Abstract: In an automatic transmission which comprises: a starter motor for starting an engine and a hydraulic pressure source having a main pump driven by the engine and an assist pump driven by an electric motor, when an idling stop control unit outputs an idling stop signal to an engine control unit, an engine and an assist pump are stopped. When the idling stop control unit receives an OFF signal from a brake switch, the idling stop control unit outputs a cancellation command for canceling an idling stop operation to the engine control unit to drive a starter motor and the assist pump.

Abstract: A fuel injection control apparatus for engines used in vehicles, particularly, a golf-cart is disclosed. An engine 1 is operated by means of an accelerator pedal 15 and is assisted with its startup by a starter 7. An injector 17 is controlled to inject fuel pumped by a fuel pump 19 into an air-intake passage 2. A controller 40 controls the starter 7, the injector 17, and the fuel pump 19, and others. Upon depression of the accelerator pedal 15 to start up the engine 1, the controller 40 actuates the starter 7 and simultaneously actuates the injector 17 only one time for initial injection. Specifically, the controller 40 controls such that the initial injection and the ignition associated therewith are performed even if no pulse signal is input from a crank angle sensor 33.

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: An engine brake indicator system is provided for use with a vehicular accessory power source and a pair of brake lights mounted on a rear of a vehicle. Included is an engine brake having a plurality of engine brake coils, a stage switch, and an engine brake master switch with a first orientation upon the engine brake being unemployed and a second orientation upon the engine brake being employed. In use, the engine brake master switch is connected between the power source and the brake lights for actuating the brake lights only upon being in the second orientation.

Abstract: A power machine comprises an output manipulation system for controlling an output of a power source given to a working member and a brake manipulation system for stopping the movement of the working member. A pair of output manipulation restriction portions is disposed between the output manipulation system and the brake manipulation system. The output manipulation restriction portions abut to each other so as to restrict output manipulation to the working member by an output manipulation member when the working member is in the braked state. Furthermore, a pair of brake manipulation restriction portions is disposed between the output manipulation system and the brake manipulation system. The pair of brake manipulation restriction portions abut to each other so as to restrict brake manipulation of the working member by a brake manipulation member during the power source gives the output to the working member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a safety system for a motor vehicle having an internal-combustion engine. Independent quantities are used for engine control and for monitoring the engine control. Control of the internal-combustion engine is performed, for example, by way of an operating parameter characterizing the engine load, while monitoring of the engine control is performed by means of the output torque. Preferably, monitoring of the engine control is integrated into a traction control system, in which case desired and actual values for a quantity characterizing the vehicle propulsion, such as the output torque, are transmitted by the engine control to the monitoring system and are compared there for recognizing a fault. If a fault is recognized in the traction control system, a signal is transmitted back to the engine control unit, to influence the engine control.

Abstract: A braking device for a power working machine, which is capable of immediately stopping the movement of the working portion when an internal combustion engine is shifted to an idling state, includes a transmission shaft, a brake drum fixed to the transmission shaft, and a brake band wound around the brake drum. The brake band is formed of a leaf spring material band, which is biased to shrink the diameter thereof, one end of which is pivotally supported on a supporting pin, and the other end of which is formed into a bent free end.

Abstract: The alternator on an engine has a set of stator coils which are connected to supply current to power accessories and current for a battery charger when the engine is running. When the ignition is turned off, a braking switch is closed which short circuits the stator coils. The resulting high current in the stator coils produces a braking torque on the engine shaft that brings it and any attached implement to a rapid halt.