Data processing: vehicles – navigation – and relative location – Vehicle control – guidance – operation – or indication – Indication or control of braking – acceleration – or deceleration
Reexamination Certificate
2000-10-20
2001-11-27
Cuchlinski, Jr., William A. (Department: 3661)
Data processing: vehicles, navigation, and relative location
Vehicle control, guidance, operation, or indication
Indication or control of braking, acceleration, or deceleration
C477S906000, C477S907000, C123S336000, C123S396000, C123S399000, C123S429000, C123S429000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06324459
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an abrupt start prevention system for vehicles, and more particularly, to a system in which two brake switches are connected to an engine control unit (ECU) such that abrupt starts of the vehicle and sticking of an accelerator pedal can be prevented.
(b) Description of the Related Art
In a conventional vehicle not having cruise control features, since a brake switch is not installed, an ECU is unable to detect driver-operation of the brake pedal. As a result, the engine control system can not structure a control logic to prevent abrupt starts or accelerator pedal sticking problems.
Accordingly, the problem of abrupt starts is controlled by a feature in which the engine can be turned over only if the brake pedal is depressed. However, it is still possible for the vehicle to experience an abrupt start immediately after the engine is started. That is, the engine control system is unable to prevent such a situation from occurring. The engine control system is also unable to prevent abrupt accelerations at other times, including instances where the accelerator pedal is malfunctioning (e.g., sticking) or is depressed too quickly by an inexperienced driver.
Abrupt starts and unintentional abrupt accelerations are caused by a rapid increase in engine rpm, an abrupt increase in fuel injection amounts, the mis-operation of a throttle position valve, and the mis-operation of the engine control system. Since these problems occur very quickly, even the most experienced driver is unable to cope with such situations. Accordingly, to overcome these problems, it is necessary that they are dealt with by the engine control system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been made in an effort to solve the above problems.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an abrupt start prevention system for vehicles in which primary and secondary brake switches are provided on an input terminal of an engine control system such that fuel injection amounts and engine rpm are controlled if the vehicle is experiencing an abrupt start or if the accelerator pedal is sticking.
To achieve the above object, the present invention provides an abrupt start prevention system for vehicles comprising a signal input means for receiving engine rpm signals, vehicle speed signals, throttle valve position signals, and primary brake signals; an engine controller for outputting control signals to control various elements of an engine according to the signals received from the signal input means; and an element driver for receiving the control signals from the engine controller and driving various elements of the engine according to the control signals, wherein the signal input means further receives secondary brake signals so that the engine controller can identify a brake pedal depression even when one of the primary brake signals is not transmitted to the signal input means.
According to a feature of the present invention, the primary and secondary brake signals are respectively input through primary and secondary brake switches.
According to another feature of the present invention, the engine controller performs an abrupt start prevention operation or an accelerator pedal stick prevention operation if all of the engine rpm signals, throttle valve position signals, and primary and secondary brake signals are input, and discontinues the abrupt start prevention operation or the accelerator pedal stick prevention operation if one of these signals is not input.
According to yet another feature of the present invention, the engine controller comprises a first comparator for comparing the input engine rpm signals with a predetermined value; a second comparator for comparing the input vehicle speed signals with a predetermined value; a first AND gate for multiplying comparison values of the first and second comparators; a logic switch for selecting an engine rpm value when a park P range or a neutral N range signal is input, and for selecting an engine rpm value and a vehicle speed value when a drive D range or a reverse R range signal is input; a third comparator for comparing the input throttle valve position signals with a predetermined value; a fourth comparator for subtracting an existing throttle valve position value from a present throttle valve position value, and comparing a resulting value with a predetermined value; a second AND gate for multiplying comparison values of the third and fourth comparators; a third AND gate for multiplying a primary brake switch value and a secondary brake switch value; a fourth AND gate for multiplying a value output by the second AND gate and a value of the logic switch SW; a fifth AND gate for multiplying a value output by the fourth AND gate and a value output by the third AND gate; a timer for counting a time by an output value of the fifth AND gate; a fifth comparator for comparing a time counted by the timer with a predetermined value, thereby determining if the time of the predetermined value has elapsed; and an abrupt start/accelerator pedal stick prevention logic for performing the abrupt start prevention operation or the accelerator pedal stick prevention operation according to an output of the fifth comparator and not in accordance with the throttle valve position signals.
The abrupt start/accelerator pedal stick prevention logic performs its operation by reducing engine rpm and a fuel injection amount to approximately levels corresponding to that used when the vehicle is idling.
The abrupt start/acceleration pedal stick prevention logic controls an air flow to an actuator to a minimal amount.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4448163 (1984-05-01), Yoshida
patent: 4779597 (1988-10-01), Takaku et al.
patent: 5018408 (1991-05-01), Bota et al.
patent: 5366424 (1994-11-01), Wataya
patent: 6058346 (2000-05-01), Wachi et al.
patent: 6092880 (2000-07-01), Towers et al.
Christie Parker & Hale LLP
Cuchlinski Jr. William A.
Hyundai Motor Company
To Tuan C
LandOfFree
Abrupt start prevention system for vehicles does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Abrupt start prevention system for vehicles, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Abrupt start prevention system for vehicles will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2595887