Abstract:
A process for changing the speed of a vehicle with driving wheels and with a continuously adjustable speed/torque characteristic in the drive train, in particular a vehicle with electric motor drive, corresponding to a change in the position .alpha.(t) of an accelerator pedal carried out by the driver of the vehicle, in which every position .alpha.(t) of the accelerator pedal is associated with a determined drive output P.sub.v (.alpha.)=f.sub.1 (.alpha.).times.P.sub.max (where P.sub.max =maximum drive output of the vehicle) and/or driving torque M.sub.v (.alpha.)=f.sub.1 (.alpha.).times.M.sub.max (where M.sub.max =maximum driving torque of the vehicle) which is desired in the sense of a predetermined value and acts on the vehicle. To provide a process and a device for implementing the process permitting the driver to change the actual speed of the vehicle to a different desired value in the most uncomplicated and reliable manner, the predetermined value P.sub.v (t) and/or M.sub.v (t) is converted for an electronic drive control of the vehicle, the reference value P.sub.s (t) or M.sub.s (t) is changed to the predetermined value P.sub.v (t) or M.sub.v (t) within an adjustment time period, wherein the reference value P.sub.s (t) or M.sub.s (t) is formed by addition from an initial proportion proportional to the predetermined value P.sub.v (t) or M.sub.v (t) and a residual proportion changing over time.
Abstract:
A power control assistance device provided with an actuator mechanically connected to the power control member to provide a directly controlled returned force to the power control member in direct opposition to the force exerted by the operator.
Abstract:
A cruising control apparatus for a vehicle, which comprises a vehicle speed sensor, a command switch, a microcomputer for generating an actuator control signal and including a vehicle speed signal memory and a watch-dog signal generator for generating a pulse signal with a predetermined period, an actuator for driving a throttle valve, an actuator driving circuit for driving the actuator in response to the actuator control signal, a watch-dog signal detector for discriminating whether the pulse signal is normal or not, a prohibiting circuit for opening the actuator driving circuit when the pulse signal is abnormal, and the microcomputer further includes vehicle speed decision means for deciding the vehicle speed signal being higher than a predetermined upper limit signal or lower than a predetermined lower limit signal and means for maintaining the watch-dog signal generator in an OFF-state in response to the result of the vehicle speed decision means.
Abstract:
A speed selector (24, 25, 40) actuates a computer (32, 35, 38, 39) to calculate optimum engine speed, speed-change rate and gear ratio for achieving a selected speed of a motor vehicle (18). An actuator (36) then accomplishes throttling of an engine (19) with a throttling means (20) and gear changes of a transmission (21) as necessary to achieve the selected vehicle speed with least-possible fuel consumption and exhaust smog. When a desired change in speed is made, it is maintained in a cruise-control mode with optimized rates of change of throttling and gear-shifting for necessary changes in engine speed for varying terrain and driving conditions.
Abstract:
A constant speed running device controls a vehicle speed, which includes a running condition setting member for setting an aimed vehicle speed for at least one of the constant speed control, an acceleration condition and a deceleration condition. The device further includes control member to calculate controlled variables for controlling the vehicle speed in accordance with a deviation between the actual running speed detected by a vehicle speed sensor and the aimed vehicle speed. The running condition setting member sets the aimed vehicle speed to the actual running speed when a predetermined period of time elapses after at least one of operations of the acceleration condition and deceleration condition.
Abstract:
An aromatic cruising speed controller for an automotive vehicle adjusts the throttle valve of the engine to perform the constant speed cruising control of the vehicle. A running resistance detector unit 18 calculates the running resistance R from the output torque T of the engine, the vehicle acceleration .alpha., and the engine set-up condition including the gear ratio G. During the transient period immediately after the cruising control is commenced or resumed, the torque T0 of the engine which is necessary for attaining the target vehicle speed V0 is determined from the running resistance R, the gear ratio G, and the target throttle position is determined on the basis of this torque T0. Under the steady state, on the other hand, the throttle position is controlled in accordance with the proportional plus integral control method, such that the deviation .DELTA.V of the vehicle speed V from the target vehicle speed V0 is reduced to zero. The drop or the overshoot of the vehicle speed during the transient period is thus suppressed. Alternatively, the proportional and the integral control gains of the throttle position are varied in accordance with the variation of the running resistance R. The response delay and the hunting of the vehicle speed under the uphill/downhill driving condition can thus be suppressed.
Abstract:
A control for a motor vehicle transmission automatically shifts transmission gears as a function of at least a driving pedal position and vehicle speed on the basis of shifting performance graphs stored in memory, and takes a load state of the motor vehicle and the driving style of the driver into account. A fuzzy logic controller with a rule base evaluates various signals characterizing driving states of the motor vehicle, and thereupon generates the following control signals: a first correcting signal characterizing the load state of the motor vehicle, and a second correcting signal characterizing the driving style, bringing about a switchover to corresponding shifting performance graphs; and an inhibit signal preventing shifting events that would produce a dynamically unfavorable driving state.
Abstract:
In a method and apparatus for limiting the speed of motor vehicles, in cases where a speed signal is not available, engine cut-off is not rigidly activated upon exceeding a constant rotational speed threshold. Rather, a variable rotational speed threshold is determined which takes into account instantaneous or previous driving states, thereby being responsive to instantaneous or previous reactions of the vehicle's driver. This provides for an intelligent engine cut-off which accounts for operating conditions and, thus, can substantially better respond during critical driving situations.
Abstract:
A control apparatus of a motor drive vehicle includes a unit for generating a target vehicle speed; a speed instruction unit for generating a target motor rotational speed of the motor based upon a preset motor control pattern in response to the target vehicle speed; a power circuit for operating the motor at the target motor rotational speed upon receipt of the target motor rotational speed; a variable transmission unit for converting a drive output from the motor into a transmission ratio for instructing a rotational speed of the drive output, and transferring the converted transmission ratio to a drive shaft of the motor drive vehicle; and a transmission ratio calculating unit for determining the transmission gear ratio based on the target vehicle speed and the target motor rotational speed thereby to instruct the determined transmission gear ratio to the variable transmission unit. A control method sets a target vehicle speed value; produces a target motor rotational speed based upon the target vehicle speed value and a preset motor control pattern; operates the motor at the target motor rotational speed; determines a transmission gear ratio based upon both of the target vehicle speed and the target motor rotational speed; and converts a rotational speed of a drive output into the transmission ratio and transfers the converted transmission ratio to a drive shaft.
Abstract:
An auto drive system for a vehicle includes an accelerator member which can be operated by a vehicle driver. A detecting device associated with the accelerator member serves to detect a quantity of operation of the accelerator member. A stopping device engageable with the accelerator member serves to stop the accelerator member and to determine an unoperated position of the accelerator member. A driving device serves to move a position of the detecting device and a position of the stopping device by a movement amount along directions corresponding to a direction of increasing the quantity of operation of the accelerator member. A first controlling device serves to control a vehicle driving power on the basis of an output of the detecting device during unexecution of auto drive. A second control device serves to activate the driving device and to control the vehicle driving power on the basis of a target vehicle speed during execution of auto drive.