Electronic throttle control system

Details Electronic throttle control system Electronic throttle control system

2000-03-24

2001-05-29

Solis, Erick (Department: 3747)

Internal-combustion engines

Engine speed regulator

Having condition responsive means with engine being part of...

C123S399000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06237564

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The field of the invention relates to electronically controlled throttle units in vehicles having a drive unit.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In some engines, an electronically controlled throttle is used for improved performance. In such systems, position of the throttle is controlled via closed loop feedback control. Typically, to provide redundancy multiple throttle position sensors are provided.
One method to provide two throttle position sensors uses sensors of different gradients, each linear over the entire operating range, another uses gradients of opposite sign. Still other methods use saturating sensors. These methods are described U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,136,880; 5,260,877; and 4,693,111, respectively.
The inventors herein have recognized some disadvantages of the above approaches. In particular, when a high resolution saturating sensor and a low resolution sensor are used together, there is a saturated region where the saturating sensor provides less information than the unsaturated region. Alternatively, when different gradients are used, each linear over the entire region, the analog to digital converters are over-specified and under-utilized to accommodate the low resolution sensor. Another disadvantage with prior approaches is that multiple tracks, interconnections between the tracks, and wiper arms may be required to provide multiple outputs having different characteristics.
An approach to solve the above prior art disadvantages would be to have a sensor with two output signals. The first output signal would be linear over the entire operating region. The second output signal would have two segments, each of said segments having a different resistivity. The second output would therefor have two segments, each with a different gradient, and having a point of non-linearity.
Having a sensor with two operating regions gives that opportunity to obtain high resolution at low throttle angles, and thereby have better airflow control, as well as obtain information throughout the operating range without over-specifying and under-utilizing A/D converters.
However, the inventors herein have recognized a disadvantage with such a sensor. In particular, the output having two segments may have variation due to manufacturing. As such, the point of non-linearity may have increased error. Such error may cause degraded control.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide electronic throttle control system and sensor.
The above object is achieved and disadvantages of prior approaches overcome by a method for an electronically controlled throttle including first and second position sensors, the second position sensor having a first characteristic in a first operating range and a second characteristic in a second operating range, comprising: reading a first output of the first sensor; reading a second output of the second sensor; and learning a transition region between the first operating range and the second operating range based on said first output and said second output.
By learning a transition region between the first operating range and the second operating, it is possible to learn any point of non-linearity and provide compensation to minimize errors.
An advantage of the above aspect of the invention is the potential for improved steady state accuracy.
An advantage of the above aspect of the invention is the potential for improved monitoring accuracy.


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