Data processing: vehicles – navigation – and relative location – Vehicle control – guidance – operation – or indication – Indication or control of braking – acceleration – or deceleration
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-13
2001-10-02
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
C701S082000, C701S084000, C701S087000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06298297
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a control system for adjusting a throttle progression curve to compensate for traction slip.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Current vehicles with traction control monitor wheel slip and will reduce engine power if the amount of slip exceeds calibrated limits. These control systems treat each slip event as a separate entity and do not learn from past events. In these systems, slip occurs before the control system can respond. Traction control systems that monitor wheel slip are therefore considered to be reactive systems, since the systems react to the slip event when detected.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It would be desirable to provide a control system to compensate for traction slip in an active manner by “learning” the road conditions before the next acceleration event. The known traction control systems reduce torque to the driven wheels after an excessive amount of wheel slip is detected, which results in a momentary loss of traction before the traction system responds. The present invention uses past wheel slip events to adjust the throttle progression curve for future accelerations. The present invention therefore is an active control system, as opposed to a reactive traction control system. The present invention allows the traction control system to learn the current road conditions and to adjust the vehicle acceleration response accordingly. If slippery conditions exist, the throttle output for a given pedal displacement will be reduced. It will then be increased toward a normal throttle output for a given pedal displacement as non-slippery road conditions are encountered. The present invention provides a control system which adapts the throttle progression curve to the current road conditions in electronic throttle control vehicles. If vehicle acceleration or wheel slip exceeds calibrated limits, a zero to one throttle area modifier is decremented to reduce the throttle progression curve for a given pedal position. This will then decrease the response of the engine until the system operates for an extended period of time without slip. If wheel slip continues to occur, the throttle progression modifier can continue to be decreased. The control system enables the vehicle to “learn” the current road conditions and reduce the response to driver pedal input during slippery conditions to reduce the amount of slip that occurs on accelerations. The control system according to the present invention enables the vehicle to adapt throttle response to changing road conditions. The vehicle “learns” what current traction capacity exists and responds accordingly. The present control system is able to change the response of the engine before subsequent loss of traction events occur. The vehicle is not required to possess a traction control system in order to incorporate this technology. The control system can adapt to slippery roads and reduce the engine torque on subsequent accelerations.
Other objects, advantages and applications of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art when the following description of the best mode contemplated for practicing the invention is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5765657 (1998-06-01), Fukumura et al.
patent: 5991682 (1999-11-01), Ishizu
patent: 6148784 (2000-11-01), Masberg et al.
Bauerle Paul A.
Colby Stephen E.
Cuchlinski Jr. William A.
Generals Motors Corporation
Marc-Coleman Marthe Y.
Simon Anthony Luke
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