Having Throttle Valve Positioning Patents (Class 701/85)
  • Patent number: 11214259
    Abstract: A method of managing wheel slip in a vehicle. The vehicle has a frame, an internal combustion engine, front and rear wheels operatively connected to the engine, a throttle valve for controlling a supply of air to the engine, a steering assembly operatively connected to at least the front wheels for steering the vehicle, and an unassisted continuously variable transmission (CVT) operatively connecting the front wheels and the rear wheels to the engine. The method includes: determining a sensed deceleration of the vehicle; comparing the sensed deceleration of the vehicle to a threshold deceleration; and increasing a torque output of the engine from a current engine torque output value to an increased engine torque output value when the sensed deceleration of the vehicle is greater than the threshold deceleration. A method for managing wheel slip in accordance with a drive mode of the vehicle is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventors: Christian Nolin, Antoine Bezeau-Tremblay
  • Patent number: 10662884
    Abstract: A power transfer assembly for a motor vehicle includes a clutch protection system to prevent damage to an actively-controlled multi-plate mode clutch of the power transfer assembly. The clutch protection system includes a transfer case control module (TCCM) and an engine control module (ECM) configured to regulate the distribution of torque applied from an engine to front and rear output shafts of the power transfer assembly. The TCCM is in operable communication with the engine control module ECM, wherein TCCM is configured to detect slip in the actively-controlled multi-plate friction clutch and to communicate with the ECM to selectively reduce the output torque of the engine in response to detected slip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: MAGNA POWERTRAIN OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Benjamin Northrup
  • Patent number: 9043125
    Abstract: Device (10) for vehicle driving evaluation comprising: A means (11) to obtain at least one physical parameter whereby it possible at any time to determine the value of the speed and instantaneous acceleration of a traveling vehicle; A calculation and comparison unit (12) whereby it is possible, from said physical parameter, to calculate an effective parameter that depends on said instantaneous acceleration and to compare said effective parameter with a reference parameter; A driving evaluation unit (13), whereby it is possible to generate a vehicle driving energy score by measuring the variance between said effective parameter and said reference parameter. Corresponding vehicle driving evaluation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: DUFOURNIER TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventor: Arnaud Dufournier
  • Publication number: 20150127232
    Abstract: A traction control device reducing an output of an engine unit for suppressing a spin of a driving wheel of a motorcycle, includes: a first spin detection unit detecting a spin of a rear wheel based on a vehicle speed calculated from a rotation of a front wheel being a driven wheel to which a driving force is not transmitted from the engine unit, and a vehicle speed calculated from a rotation of the rear wheel being the driving wheel to which the driving force is transmitted; and a second spin detection unit detecting the spin of the rear wheel based on a vehicle speed calculated from the rotation of the front wheel, and a vehicle speed calculated from a rotation of the engine unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masahiro HAMAMURA, Yutaro KOBAYASHI, Kazunori KAWAI
  • Patent number: 8989983
    Abstract: A vehicle can include an anti-slip device configured to detect front and rear wheel speeds at a time of acceleration, and to compute a slip factor from a speed difference. When the slip factor has exceeded the first threshold, a throttle valve is closed so as to lower an engine output. An informing unit and a preliminarily notifying unit are configured to inform the driver when a slip factor has exceeded or is expected to exceed first and second thresholds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Satoshi Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 8965660
    Abstract: A first calculation device is provided that calculates a ratio of a target torque equivalent value of an engine to a maximum torque equivalent value of the engine, as a pressure ratio equivalent value. A second calculation device is also provided that calculates a flow velocity of air to flowing through a throttle valve in the engine, based on the pressure ratio equivalent value calculated by the first calculation device. A third calculation device is further provided that calculates a target throttle valve opening, based on the flow velocity calculated by the second calculation device. With this configuration, the target opening of a throttle valve corresponding to the requested engine torque, without using the pressures before and after the throttle valve section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Miyata, Katsunori Ueda, Koji Shibata, Hiroaki Ueno
  • Patent number: 8958968
    Abstract: A traction control device for a motorcycle eliminates a need for a waiting time for detecting an amount of change in a vehicle state and a subsequent prediction time, and can execute quick traction control. The traction control device includes an engine driving force control unit, for calculating a real slip ratio of the motorcycle, setting a target slip ratio according to a driving state of the motorcycle, and controlling a driving force of an engine so that the real slip ratio becomes the target slip ratio. The traction control device also includes a throttle grip opening degree sensor for detecting an opening degree of a throttle grip; and a bank angle sensor for detecting a bank angle of the motorcycle. The engine driving force control unit calculates the target slip ratio on a basis of the throttle opening degree and the bank angle of the motorcycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fuyuki Kobayashi, Yoichiro Fukao, Yohei Maruyama, Tatsuya Ito
  • Patent number: 8897987
    Abstract: A traction control system in vehicle comprises a detector for detecting a monitored value which changes according to a degree of a drive wheel slip; a condition determiner for determining whether or not the monitored value meets a control start condition and whether or not the monitored value meets a control termination condition; and a controller for executing traction control to reduce a driving power of the drive wheel during a period of time from when the condition determiner determines that the monitored value meets the control start condition until the condition determiner determines that the monitored value meets the control termination condition; the condition determiner being configured to set at least the control start condition variably based on a slip determination factor which changes according to a vehicle state and such that the control start condition changes more greatly according to the vehicle state than the control termination condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshimoto Matsuda
  • Patent number: 8762022
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for efficiently changing controlled engine speed of a marine internal combustion engine in a marine propulsion system for propelling a marine vessel. The system responds to the operator changing the operator-selected engine speed, from a first-selected engine speed to a second-selected engine speed, by predicting throttle position needed to provide the second-selected engine speed, and providing a feed forward signal moving the throttle to the predicted throttle position, without waiting for a slower responding PID controller and/or overshoot thereof, and concomitant instability or oscillation, and then uses the engine speed control system including any PID controller to maintain engine speed at the second-selected engine speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Jason S. Arbuckle, Matthew W. Snyder, Thomas S. Kirchhoff
  • Patent number: 8751125
    Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus includes an accelerator-manipulated-amount detecting section configured to detect a manipulated amount of accelerator; a braking-force generating section configured to generate a braking force of the vehicle; a driving-force generating section configured to generate a driving force of the vehicle; a control unit including a vehicle-body speed calculating section configured to calculate an actual vehicle-body speed. The control unit is configured to perform a normal control mode which generates a driving force corresponding to the accelerator manipulated amount, and to perform a speed control mode which calculates a target vehicle-body speed based on the accelerator manipulated amount and which controls the braking-force generating section and the driving-force generating section so as to bring the actual vehicle-body speed closer to the target vehicle-body speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazunori Ozaki
  • Patent number: 8689920
    Abstract: A traction control system comprises a detector configured to detect a monitored spin value corresponding to a spin amount of a drive wheel in a vehicle; a condition determiner configured to determine whether or not the monitored spin value detected by the detector meets a driving power suppressing condition; and a controller configured to execute a traction control for reducing a driving power of the drive wheel based on the determination; the condition determiner being configured to set the driving power suppressing condition variably based on at least one of a variable parameter relating to a rotation number difference which is variable according to a change rate of a rotation number difference between the drive wheel and a driven wheel, and a variable parameter relating to rotation of a drive system which is variable according to a rotation change rate of the drive system for driving the drive wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshimoto Matsuda
  • Patent number: 8635001
    Abstract: A vehicle control method for a vehicle having an internal combustion engine coupled to a torque converter is described. In one embodiment, the engine air flow and spark are adjusted to control torque converter operation. The method can improve vehicle response to driver accelerator commands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeff Doering, Brad Riedle, Rob Ciarrocchi, Scott Redmon, Hank Kwong, William Eckenrode, Frederick Page
  • Patent number: 8626416
    Abstract: A traction controlling apparatus is configured such that if a slip of a driving wheel is detected, then a throttle valve opening is reduced to a first predetermined value. If failure is detected while the throttle valve opening is reduced to the first predetermined value, then the throttle valve opening is further reduced to a second predetermined value. If the acceleration grip is manipulated to a fully closed position while the throttle valve opening is reduced to the second predetermined value, then the control is ended and throttle control by a direct manipulation of the acceleration grip is enabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kotaro Miki, Takeru Abe, Masanori Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8626417
    Abstract: A system and method using a vehicle drive shaft torque coupled to a driven wheel and a non-driven wheel speed for a vehicle throttle control system includes reading first and second torque values generated by the torque sensor. The method identifies when a sustained drop occurs between the first and second torque values. Another step determines if a change occurred between the first and second torque value readings in any of: a throttle position; a gear setting; and a brake pressure. A detected traction loss is signaled when the sustained drop occurred with no change between the first and second torque value readings in the throttle position, gear setting, and brake pressure. A desired throttle value is calculated using an engine torque and a target engine speed to prevent driven wheel slip. A throttle command signal changes an existing throttle value to the desired throttle value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Magna Powertrain of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Hamid A. Oral
  • Patent number: 8589047
    Abstract: A method is provided for operating a combustion engine of a motor vehicle during a deceleration of the combustion engine. The method includes, but is not limited to determining a degree of depression of an accelerator pedal of the motor vehicle takes place, determining of a degree of depression of a brake pedal of the motor vehicle takes place. Furthermore, an adjusting of a throttle valve arranged in an intake tract of the combustion engine as a function of the determined degree of depression of the accelerator pedal and as a function of the determined degree of depression of the brake pedal takes place. The throttle valve is adjusted into an at least partially opened position in the event that the determined degree of depression of the brake pedal undershoots a first predetermined threshold value and the throttle valve is adjusted into a closed position in the event that the determined degree of depression of the brake pedal exceeds a second predetermined threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Torsten Mueller
  • Publication number: 20130261925
    Abstract: A traction control device for a motorcycle eliminates a need for a waiting time for detecting an amount of change in a vehicle state and a subsequent prediction time, and can execute quick traction control. The traction control device includes an engine driving force control unit, for calculating a real slip ratio of the motorcycle, setting a target slip ratio according to a driving state of the motorcycle, and controlling a driving force of an engine so that the real slip ratio becomes the target slip ratio. The traction control device also includes a throttle grip opening degree sensor for detecting an opening degree of a throttle grip; and a bank angle sensor for detecting a bank angle of the motorcycle. The engine driving force control unit calculates the target slip ratio on a basis of the throttle opening degree and the bank angle of the motorcycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Fuyuki KOBAYASHI, Yoichiro FUKAO, Yohei MARUYAMA, Tatsuya ITO
  • Patent number: 8548714
    Abstract: According to this invention, artificial force gradient means (9a) of a throttle control lever (4) for a turbo-engine comprise means (17) for adjusting the intensity of the artificial force gradient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations (SAS)
    Inventor: Laurent Andrieu
  • Patent number: 8527168
    Abstract: A method for ascertaining a rotational speed parameter for determining a setpoint torque for driving a drivetrain. The drivetrain comprises a first and at least one second drive assembly for driving a hybrid vehicle. The first drive assembly can be coupled to the drivetrain by means of a clutch. The second drive assembly is mechanically coupled to the drivetrain. When the hybrid vehicle is being driven by means of at least the first drive assembly, the rotational speed parameter corresponds to the value of a shaft rotational speed. When the hybrid vehicle is being driven only by means of the second drive assembly, the rotational speed parameter corresponds to the value of a determined rotational speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Maass, Christian Vienken, Manfred Hellmann, Kai Moegle
  • Patent number: 8487579
    Abstract: A method for determining the position of a component, that is able to be moved into at least two end positions with the aid of a drive, especially of a flap for controlling fluid flows in an internal combustion engine, includes the following steps: providing an electric signal that indicates the speed of motion of an element of the drive, determining a change in position of the component by the integration of the electric signal, and determining the absolute position of the component from the change in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Alex Grossmann, Mattias Hallor
  • Patent number: 8489300
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to execute an optimum control of vibrations due to a driver's operation of an accelerator pedal, steering wheel and brake pedal. The operation instructions are inputted into a vibration calculating means (kinetic model) comprising a vehicle body model, suspension model and tire model. Conventional kinetic model controlled the suspension in order to suppress the vehicle body vibration. However, in the kinetic model of the present invention, the tire vibration due to a change in the engine output is first absorbed by the suspension, whereby a residual vibration which was not be absorbed yet by the suspension is transferred to the vehicle body. The operation inputs are compensated by the three feed-back loops between the outputs of the above-mentioned three portions and input of the tire portion, giving the highest priority on the vehicle body model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Motoaki Kataoka, Toshiki Matsumoto, Tsutomu Tashiro, Mamoru Mabuchi, Mamoru Sawada
  • Patent number: 8483935
    Abstract: A method for selectively creating vacuum in a hybrid powertrain controlled by a hybrid control processor and having an engine controlled by an engine control module includes requesting a pressure differential between a first intake point and a second intake point, wherein the first intake point and the second intake point are separated by a throttle. An actual torque capacity is calculated for the engine, wherein the actual torque capacity occurs when pressure is substantially equal at the first intake point and at the second intake point. A desired torque capacity is also calculated for the engine, wherein the desired torque capacity reduces the pressure at the second intake point relative to the pressure at the first intake point, such that the requested pressure differential is created. The engine is then operated at one of the desired torque capacity and the actual torque capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Christopher E. Whitney, William R. Cawthorne, Anthony H. Heap, Jeffrey M. Kaiser, Dennis A. Light, Jon C. Wasberg, Weixin Yan
  • Patent number: 8460157
    Abstract: In torque down control apparatus and method for an automotive vehicle, an upper limit value of a drive force of a prime mover is reduced to a predetermined value when a predetermined condition is established, the upper limit value of the drive force is increased at a predetermined speed to recover the upper limit value of the drive force from the predetermined value, the recovery is limited when an accelerator opening angle is smaller than a predetermined opening angle than a case where the accelerator opening angle is equal to or larger than the predetermined opening angle during the recovery of the upper limit value of the drive force, and the limitation is relieved when a vehicle speed is equal to or higher than a predetermined vehicle speed than a case where the vehicle speed is lower than the predetermined vehicle speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Jatco Ltd
    Inventors: Hajime Tasaka, Yutaka Tohyama, Masahiro Hamano
  • Patent number: 8447437
    Abstract: An assistant driving system with video recognition includes a camera array capturing environment images for the environment around the vehicle, an image recognition unit identifying environment objects and their image, location, color, speed and direction from the environment images, an environment monitor and control unit receiving the information generated by the image recognition unit and creating the rebuild environment information for the vicinity of the vehicle as well as judging the space relationship between the vehicle and the environment objects to generate the warning information, a video recognition display unit showing a single image for the rebuild environment information, a vehicle warning unit performing the processes corresponding to the warning information, a vehicle driving unit generating the driving control command based on the rebuild environment information, and a vehicle controlling unit receiving the driving control command to control the throttle, brake or steering wheel of the vehic
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Inventor: Yan-Hong Chiang
  • Publication number: 20130090829
    Abstract: A system and method using a vehicle drive shaft torque coupled to a driven wheel and a non-driven wheel speed for a vehicle throttle control system includes reading first and second torque values generated by the torque sensor. The method identifies when a sustained drop occurs between the first and second torque values. Another step determines if a change occurred between the first and second torque value readings in any of: a throttle position; a gear setting; and a brake pressure. A detected traction loss is signaled when the sustained drop occurred with no change between the first and second torque value readings in the throttle position, gear setting, and brake pressure. A desired throttle value is calculated using an engine torque and a target engine speed to prevent driven wheel slip. A throttle command signal changes an existing throttle value to the desired throttle value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: MAGNA POWERTRAIN OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Magna Powertrain of America, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8386102
    Abstract: In an electrically powered vehicle, a computer-controlled switching system activates relays to switch additional discrete batteries into a circuit in response to throttle level, where a processor is configured to decide what specific batteries should be present in the circuit at any given time, in response to both throttle level and a battery load balancing optimization scheme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Inventor: Eric Gullichsen
  • Patent number: 8364373
    Abstract: A method of operating a hybrid powertrain having an internal combustion engine monitors a throttle intake pressure and calculates a first torque capacity from a pressure model using the throttle intake pressure as an input. The method determines a maximum expected air mass from the monitored throttle intake pressure and calculates a second torque capacity from an air mass model using the maximum expected air mass volume as an input. The method calculates a final torque capacity as a function of the first torque capacity and the second torque capacity, and sends the final torque capacity to the hybrid control processor. An engine control module receives a torque request calculated as a function of the final torque capacity. A manifold pressure request is calculated as a function of the torque request, and a throttle is actuated as a function of the manifold pressure request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Christopher E. Whitney, Jeffrey M. Kaiser, Dennis A. Light, Anthony H. Heap, Honghao Tan
  • Patent number: 8364372
    Abstract: A hybrid powertrain and a method of controlling a throttle in an engine of the hybrid powertrain are provided. A throttle system has a throttle at an optimal position for the engine to power a first motor/generator when an electric throttle motor is de-energized to minimize current consumption by the throttle motor. The electric throttle motor is energizable to adjust the position of the throttle. A biasing member biases the throttle to a default position when the electric throttle motor is not energized. The hybrid powertrain has a first motor/generator operatively connected to the engine, and a second motor/generator operatively connected to the generator and operable for providing output power. The engine is operable in a predetermined optimal state to provide power to the generator for powering the first motor/generator. The throttle is at a predetermined position when the engine is in the predetermined optimal state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: James L. Worthing, John N. Stockbridge, Thomas Richard Durkin, Joseph E. Ploucha, Richard B. Jess, Brian D. Essenmacher
  • Patent number: 8335625
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for rapidly causing a slip of a driving wheel to converge regardless of the change in vehicle conditions when the driving wheel is in a slip state. When a slip occurs on a driving wheel, a second driving force command value is calculated from a driving force control value controlled by driving force control means and an angular acceleration. The second driving force command value is calculated so that torque capable of being transmitted to a road surface by the driving wheel takes the maximum value. Therefore, even if the friction coefficient of road surface or the wheel load changes, the driving torque of driving wheel can be commanded properly, so that the slip can be converged rapidly. The occurrence of slip at the time of re-acceleration after slip convergence can be avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ichiro Yamaguchi, Yoshitaka Deguchi
  • Patent number: 8321115
    Abstract: A system and method using a vehicle drive shaft torque coupled to a driven wheel and a non-driven wheel speed for a vehicle throttle control system includes reading first and second torque values generated by the torque sensor. The method identifies when a sustained drop occurs between the first and second torque values. Another step determines if a change occurred between the first and second torque value readings in any of: a throttle position; a gear setting; and a brake pressure. A detected traction loss is signaled when the sustained drop occurred with no change between the first and second torque value readings in the throttle position, gear setting, and brake pressure. A desired throttle value is calculated using an engine torque and a target engine speed to prevent driven wheel slip. A throttle command signal changes an existing throttle value to the desired throttle value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Magna Powertrain of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Hamid A. Oral
  • Patent number: 8301351
    Abstract: A parameter ?(OUT) having an accelerator pedal position, a vehicle speed and a drive force as components is set according to information representing a driver's operation and information representing running environment of a vehicle. A gear is set according to the parameter ?(OUT) and a map determining the gear based on the accelerator pedal position, the vehicle speed and the drive force. A gear shift line is defined such that a rate of increase of the drive force with respect to the vehicle speed is zero or more. A down-shift line is defined such that the drive force decreases with increase in accelerator pedal position. Down-shift after up-shift as well as the up-shift after the down-shift are inhibited when both a condition that an amount of change of the accelerator pedal position after last gear shift is larger than a threshold and a condition that an amount of change of the drive force after the last gear shift is larger than the threshold are satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seiji Kuwahara, Masato Kaigawa
  • Publication number: 20120253626
    Abstract: A vehicle can include an anti-slip device configured to detect front and rear wheel speeds at a time of acceleration, and to compute a slip factor from a speed difference. When the slip factor has exceeded the first threshold, a throttle valve is closed so as to lower an engine output. An informing unit and a preliminarily notifying unit are configured to inform the driver when a slip factor has exceeded or is expected to exceed first and second thresholds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Satoshi YAMAGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20120245818
    Abstract: A traction controlling apparatus is configured such that if a slip of a driving wheel is detected, then a throttle valve opening is reduced to a first predetermined value. If failure is detected while the throttle valve opening is reduced to the first predetermined value, then the throttle valve opening is further reduced to a second predetermined value. If the acceleration grip is manipulated to a fully closed position while the throttle valve opening is reduced to the second predetermined value, then the control is ended and throttle control by a direct manipulation of the acceleration grip is enabled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kotaro MIKI, Takeru ABE, Masanori NAKAMURA
  • Patent number: 8239113
    Abstract: A vehicle control method for a vehicle having powertrain with an internal combustion engine and a transmission having a clutch, the method comprising of transitioning through a lash region of the transmission during clutch slipping conditions in response to a driver tip-in; and during the transition, first retarding ignition timing past maximum torque timing while increasing engine airflow, and then second, advancing ignition timing from the retarded timing while continuing to increase engine airflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeff Doering, Brad Riedle, Rob Ciarrochi, Hank Kwong, John Rollinger, Frederick Page, Jeff Travis
  • Patent number: 8234049
    Abstract: A control module includes a predicted torque control module that determines a desired throttle area based on a transmission torque request and a desired predicted torque. A throttle security module determines a throttle limit based on the desired throttle area and the desired predicted torque and determines an adjusted desired throttle area based on the throttle limit. A throttle actuator module adjusts a throttle based on the adjusted desired throttle area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Inventors: Joseph M. Stempnik, Richard B. Jess, Bahram Younessi, Mark H. Costin, Michael L. Kociba, Paul A. Bauerle, Bryan D. Lehman, William R. Mayhew, Andrew W. Baur
  • Patent number: 8190328
    Abstract: An electropneumatic control arrangement for an automatic vehicle level control system, particularly of a commercial vehicle, includes at least; a solenoid valve unit having at least two electropneumatic solenoid valves, a compressed air inlet for infeeding compressed air, at least one compressed air connection for at least one air bellows and electrical control inputs, and an electronic control unit for actuating the solenoid valve unit. The electronic control unit comprises control outputs for electrically connecting to the control inputs of the solenoid valve unit. A plug connector is configured on the housing of the solenoid valve unit, in which the electrical control inputs are disposed, and a plug connector is provided on the housing of the electronic control unit, in which the control outputs are disposed. The plug connectors are mechanically plugged into each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: WABCO GmbH
    Inventors: Ingo Jovers, Berend Kleen, Johann Lucas, Frauke Rathjen, Andreas Rutsch, Andreas Schwarzer, Thomas Stellmacher
  • Patent number: 8175783
    Abstract: An organ type accelerator pedal assembly may include a vibration generating module coupled to a carrier connected with a foot plate, and engaged with a first actuator through a power transfer member to bring a vibration to the carrier, a pushing-force generating module actuated by a second actuator and movably disposed under the vibration generating module to provide a pushing-force to the foot plate when contacting with the vibration generating module, and/or a control unit controlling the first actuator and/or the second actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Hangil Park
  • Patent number: 8160790
    Abstract: A vehicle speed control system for a vehicle including a failure detector configured to determine whether or not a failure occurs in the vehicle, a vehicle speed restriction controller configured to control a driving power source to decrease a vehicle speed of the vehicle when the failure detector detects the failure, and a driving state detector configured to detect a driving state of the vehicle. The vehicle speed restriction controller is configured to determine a deceleration pattern according to the driving state detected by the driving state detector at detection of the failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeru Oshima, Takuya Sakamoto, Satoru Sakanaka, Tatsuya Hirokami
  • Patent number: 8019521
    Abstract: A throttle control system for a vehicle includes a suspension sensor that detects suspension amplitudes of a suspension system of the vehicle, a grade sensor that detects an angular position of the vehicle, and a controller that receives first operational data from the suspension sensor and second operational data from the grade sensor and regulates a throttle of the vehicle based on the first and second operational data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventor: Gregory E. Peterson
  • Patent number: 7996139
    Abstract: During a starting operation or a low-speed drive of a vehicle on a slope, the drive control of the invention sets a gradient-corresponding rotation speed N? as a rotation speed of an engine to output a required driving force against a longitudinal vehicle gradient ?fr (step S110), and sequentially sets a low-?-road correction rotation speed Nlow upon identification of a low-?-road drive condition, a vehicle speed difference-compensating rotation speed Nv based on a vehicle speed V, and a brake-based correction rotation speed Nb based on a brake pressure Pb (steps S120 through S250). The drive control sets a target engine rotation speed Ne* based on these settings (step S260) and subsequently sets a target throttle opening THtag (step S270). The operation of the engine is controlled with the greater between the target throttle opening THtag and a required throttle opening THreq corresponding to an accelerator opening Acc (step S290).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koichi Okuda, Mitsuhiro Tabata, Hiroshi Sato
  • Publication number: 20110160977
    Abstract: A control system in a vehicle configured to rotate a drive wheel by a driving power generated in a driving power source mounted in the vehicle; comprises a slip value measuring unit configured to measure a slip value indicating a degree to which the drive wheel spins; a change rate calculator configured to calculate a change rate of the slip value measured by the slip value measuring unit; and a road surface condition determiner configured to determine a road surface condition according to the change rate of the slip value calculated by the change rate calculator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yoshimoto Matsuda
  • Patent number: 7917272
    Abstract: In deceleration control apparatus and method for an automotive vehicle, a deceleration control is performed in accordance with a turning travel situation of the vehicle; and an engine throttle opening angle is controlled gradually in a closure direction at a preset variation degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Suzuki, Genpei Naitou, Shinji Matsumoto, Tomohiro Jimbo
  • Patent number: 7917275
    Abstract: A vehicle control method for a vehicle having an internal combustion engine coupled to a torque converter is described. In one embodiment, the engine air flow and spark are adjusted to control torque converter operation. The method can improve vehicle response to driver accelerator commands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeff Doering, Brad Riedle, Rob Ciarrocchi, Scott Redmon, Hank Kwong, William Eckenrode, Frederick Page
  • Patent number: 7894969
    Abstract: A control apparatus includes a torque-boost control portion that boosts torque output from the engine, and corrects the operation amount of an adjustment mechanism that adjusts the amount of air taken into the engine to increase the amount of air during a torque phase when the automatic transmission upshifts; and an inertia-phase determination portion that determines whether an inertia phase has started. The torque-boost control portion includes a torque-boost end control portion that executes a torque-boost end control that gradually decreases a correction amount, by which the operation amount is corrected, to zero when the inertia-phase determination portion determines that the inertia phase has started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomohiro Asami, Toshio Sugimura, Takaaki Tokura, Nobufusa Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7894968
    Abstract: A method and system for regulating a drive torque provided to a driveline of a vehicle includes monitoring an accelerator pedal position and a brake pedal position. An adjusted accelerator pedal position is determined based on the accelerator pedal position and the brake pedal position and a drive torque request is determined based on the adjusted accelerator pedal position. Drive torque is generated based on the drive torque request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Inventors: David J. Stroh, Robert C. Simon, Jr., Leonard G. Wozniak, William R. Cawthorne
  • Patent number: 7873459
    Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle that includes determining a dynamic normal load for the vehicle wheel, modifying the requested torque signal from a traction control system in response to the dynamic normal load to form a modified requested torque and controlling the engine in response to the modified requested torque. The controlling may be performed using the ratio of the dynamic normal load and the steady state normal load to form the modified requested torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Fodor, Davor Hrovat
  • Patent number: 7869931
    Abstract: When an engine torque trace is set during acceleration or deceleration, the ratio of increase or decrease in the engine torque per unit time is restricted so that when the engine torque generated during acceleration or deceleration approaches an engine torque (balance torque) at which the engine is oriented upright with respect to the engine mount, the engine torque stays near the balance torque for a prescribed time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinya Satou, Hitoshi Konno, Mamoru Nemoto
  • Patent number: 7853388
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments comprise a method, which can comprise automatically setting a service brake of a mining haulage vehicle. The service brake can be set responsive to a determination that a wheel comprising a wheel motor is rotating at a rotational speed that is above a predetermined rotational speed. In certain exemplary embodiments, the service brake can be automatically released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventor: Xiaobin Wang
  • Patent number: 7765050
    Abstract: In one example, a traction control system for a vehicle is shown. The system adjusts a relationship between powertrain output and pedal actuation in response to at least one of road grade and direction of wheel spin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Davor Hrovat, Michael Fodor, Mitch McConnell
  • Patent number: 7699133
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for degrading and disabling a vehicle's engine throttle. The vehicle disable system includes a throttle position sensor that generates a throttle position signal, an electronic control module (“ECM”) input connected to the ECM on which the throttle position sensor provides the throttle position signal to the ECM, and an override input that enables an idling signal to be transmitted to the ECM instead of the throttle position signal. The method of the present invention includes the steps of receiving an input signal related to the state of the driver input mechanism, interpreting the input signal, and at least one of degrading and disabling the throttle based on the interpretation of the input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy D. Bolduc, Christopher A. Hedges, Luis A. Prieto, R. Clarkson Griffin, Gerald P. Hunt
  • Patent number: 7693641
    Abstract: A vehicle speed control system for controlling a vehicle on a chassis dynamometer is comprised of a controller which is arranged to receive a vehicle speed command, to obtain an anticipated vehicle speed command from the vehicle speed command taking account of a delay factor of a control system of the vehicle, to calculate a driving force a driving force command from the anticipated vehicle speed command, to obtain an accelerator opening command from a previously stored driving force characteristic map based on the driving force command and a detected vehicle speed, and to control an accelerator opening of the vehicle according to the accelerator opening command so as to adjust the detected vehicle at the vehicle speed command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Meidensha
    Inventor: Toshimitsu Maruki