Data processing: vehicles – navigation – and relative location – Vehicle control – guidance – operation – or indication – Indication or control of braking – acceleration – or deceleration
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-21
2001-10-16
Zanelli, Michael J. (Department: 3661)
Data processing: vehicles, navigation, and relative location
Vehicle control, guidance, operation, or indication
Indication or control of braking, acceleration, or deceleration
C701S045000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06304809
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The field of the invention relates to monitoring of electronically controlled drive units in vehicles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In some engines, an electronically controlled throttle is used for improved performance. In addition, engines also may be controlled using engine output, or torque control where the actual engine torque is controlled to a desired engine torque through an output adjusting device, such as with the electronic throttle, ignition timing, air-fuel ratio, or various other devices.
One method to monitor engine control systems determines if actual engine torque is greater than desired engine torque. Actual engine torque is determined in accordance with engine airflow and/or injected fuel amount, and various other factors. Such a method is described U.S. Pat. No. 5,692,472.
The inventors herein have recognized a disadvantage of the above approach. In particular, when such a method is utilized with vehicles having multiple torque sources, such as hybrid electric vehicles, several different torque values can be considered. For example, torque produced by an electric motor and torque produced by an internal combustion engine can both contribute to overall drive torque. Thus, additional variables may be used to account for various torque sources. Each of these additional variables can then have redundancy. In the end, monitoring using the above structure may result in additional cost and/or complexity.
SUMMERY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a monitoring approach for use with vehicles having a single or multiple power sources.
The above object is achieved and disadvantages of prior approaches overcome by a method for monitoring and controlling a vehicle drive system, the method comprises determining a preselected vehicle acceleration, calculating an actual vehicle acceleration based on an accelerometer coupled to the vehicle, and initiating a reaction when said actual vehicle acceleration is greater than said preselected vehicle acceleration.
By utilizing the end result of vehicle acceleration, a simple structure is achieved that can be applied to various vehicle drive unit configurations. In addition, by using an accelerometer, monitoring can be performed at all vehicle speeds.
An advantage of the above aspect of the present invention is a potential for reduced system complexity and/or cost.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a mutually beneficial monitoring and control approach for use with vehicles having a single power source or multiple power sources.
In another aspect of the invention, the above object is achieved and disadvantages of prior approaches overcome by a system for a vehicle having an electronically controlled drive unit, the system comprising: a first controller that determines a desired acceleration based on an operator command and adjusts a drive unit operating parameter to achieve said desired acceleration; and a second controller that determines a preselected acceleration of the vehicle based on said desired acceleration, determines an actual vehicle acceleration based on a sensor coupled to the vehicle, and initiates a reaction when said actual vehicle acceleration is greater than said preselected acceleration.
By utilizing the end result of vehicle acceleration, a simple structure is achieved that can be applied to various vehicle drive unit configurations. Further, by structuring the vehicle control around desired acceleration, both the monitoring and control complement one another and a simple structure is achieved.
An advantage of the above aspect of the present invention is a potential for reduced system complexity and/or cost.
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Cullen Michael John
Hippley Richard John
Ford Global Technologies Inc.
Gibson Eric M
Russell John D.
Zanelli Michael J.
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