Data processing: vehicles – navigation – and relative location – Vehicle control – guidance – operation – or indication – With indicator or control of power plant
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-07
2001-03-20
Wolfe, Willis R. (Department: 3747)
Data processing: vehicles, navigation, and relative location
Vehicle control, guidance, operation, or indication
With indicator or control of power plant
C701S110000, C701S115000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06205394
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This application claims the priority of German patent document 198 25 283.8, filed Jun. 5, 1999, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.
The invention relates to an automatic engine power control system for motor vehicles having a power control element which can be controlled by an electronic control unit, as a function of various vehicle operating parameters.
In known automatic electronic engine power control systems (also called “E-gas”) of this generic type, in contrast to the previously customary mechanical adjustment of a power control element (such as a throttle valve) by way of a Bowden control, an electronic control unit operates the power control element preferably by means of an electric motor. The system is therefore capable of controlling the power control element (for example, the throttle valve in the case of Otto engines, or the injection in the case of diesel engines) as a function of various operating parameters in order to carry out, for example, an engine torque reduction for the automatic wheel slip control. In this case, a pedal travel sensor normally detects the accelerator pedal position and supplies a corresponding electric signal to the electronic control unit. Based thereon, the control unit calculates a triggering signal for (e.g) the throttle valve adjuster, also taking into account the input signals of additional systems, such as an automatic wheel slip control systems and/or an automatic engine control system. Continuous examination of all components by the control unit ensures the perfect functioning of the system. Preferably, redundant sensors and computers of the control unit are provided in order to permit a reliable plausibility check by comparison of the respective signals. As technical background, see, for example, the newspaper article “Concept of the Electronic System of the BMW 12-Cylinder Engine”, Automobilindustrie No. 1/88, Pages 19, and on.
If one of the two paths fails, the plausibility check can no longer take place. Nevertheless, in order to increase the availability of the vehicle, continued driving is permitted in an emergency mode, in which engine power is limited to a maximum permissible engine torque value, and the vehicle dynamics are also limited. When the power demand input by the driver is increased during emergency driving (for example, when gas is given again after the accelerator pedal was released during a shifting operation), engine torque is released in a controlled manner by way of a defined ramp in steps to the maximum permissible engine torque, irrespective of the resulting course of the vehicle speed or of the acceleration. The resulting acceleration course on the basis of the fixed engine torque ramp is a function of vehicle parameters, engine parameters and the gear position.
The fixed ramp is designed for a certain operating point, particularly for the worst case, and as a result, the desired minimum dynamics are not available in any other operating points. Because, the defined ramp always begins again at the lowest value when the power demand is subsequently increased after release of the accelerator pedal by the driver, delay times occur after each load change relative to the acceleration. Such delays are unsatisfactory for the driver.
It is an object of the invention, to provide an automatic engine control system of the initially mentioned type, which achieves improved vehicle dynamics during the emergency driving.
This and other objects and advantages are achieved by the automatic power control system according to the invention, which is based on the recognition, that, for the driver, the feeling for the vehicle dynamics is connected directly with the acceleration behavior of the vehicle. Therefore, according to the invention, emergency driving is based on actual vehicle acceleration, rather than on engine torque as in the prior art. The invention provides an automatic control of the power control element such that, when the power demand is increased, an immediate acceleration is initiated without any (noticeable) delay. Also, in the event that the increased power demand is maintained, a defined, preferably dynamically acting acceleration course is obtained until the maximum permissible engine torque is reached.
For reasons of safety, when the brake is operated, acceleration is stopped irrespective of the power demand, and the internal-combustion engine is changed to idling operation.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5204816 (1993-04-01), Wright et al.
patent: 5233530 (1993-08-01), Shimada et al.
patent: 5247444 (1993-09-01), Arai et al.
patent: 5999875 (1999-12-01), Bruedigam et al.
patent: 6067498 (2000-05-01), Akiyama
Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
Evenson, McKeown, Edwards & Lenahan P.L.L.C.
Wolfe Willis R.
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