Data processing: vehicles – navigation – and relative location – Vehicle control – guidance – operation – or indication – Indication or control of braking – acceleration – or deceleration
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-26
2001-09-25
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
C701S070000, C180S170000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06295500
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.
In the electronic throttle control system, it is desirable to incorporate various features, such as cruise control and traction control. On approach for providing this type of integrated control system is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,400,865. In this system, a desired torque is calculated that provides constant vehicle speed running. Also, a desired torque is calculated that prevents wheel slippage. Finally, a desired torque is calculated that is requested by the operator. A maximum of the driver requested torque and cruise control torque is first selected, and then the minimum of this result and the traction control torque is selected as the final desired torque. Then, the vehicle's powertrain is controlled to provide the finally selected torque.
The inventors herein have recognized a disadvantage of the above approach. In particular, with prior art torque arbitration schemes, the maximum of driver demanded torque and cruise control torque was selected. However, if negative torque is needed to control vehicle speed during cruise operation, such as down a hill, such control is not available since zero torque is typically the minimum torque allowed when the driver is not actuating the pedal. Alternatively, If negative torques are used in the driver demand table, then tip-out performance, or foot off pedal performance, and coasting driveability are sacrificed on level roads. Driveability is Oacrificed in level roads since the negative torque requests may cause downshifts on some tip-outs. Such transmission shifting can degrade drive feel on level roads.
SUMMARY 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 controlling a powertrain of a vehicle, comprising: determining a first desired vehicle acceleration based on a driver command; determining a second desired vehicle acceleration based on a speed control strategy; selecting one of said first desired vehicle acceleration and said second desired vehicle acceleration; and controlling the powertrain so that an actual vehicle acceleration approaches said desired vehicle acceleration.
By selecting between different desired vehicle accelerations, consistent drive feel is provided on level roads, as well as on gradients, with a single architecture and calibration. In particular, with the claimed structure, it is possible to use a single set of calibration values on both level and hilly roads, and achieve consistent vehicle performance. Further, it is possible to control vehicle speed on a downgrade by providing the requested negative torque while cruise control is both engaged and digengaged. In other words, the driver will have improved deceleration control on both level roads and gradients.
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 improved driveability both during cruise control and noral driving.
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Cullen Michael John
Hippley Richard John
Cuchlinski Jr. William A.
Ford Global Technologies Inc.
Gibson Eric
Lippa Allan J.
Russell John D.
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