Running state control system for motor vehicle

• US 5,184,577 A
• Filed: 10/01/1990
• Issued: 02/09/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Sawamoto, Kunifumi, Kato, Yuji
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamen, Noah P.
• Application Number:
  US07/591,170
• Time in Patent Office: 862 Days
• Field of Search: 123/90.15, 74/858, 180/197
• US Class Current: 123/90.15
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/16 responsive to, or preventing, skidding of wheels brake control systems for vehicle drive stability B60T8/1755; arrangements responsive to a speed condition for adjusting wheel braking force B60T8/32; control of vehicle driving stability otherwise than by controlling the propulsion unit only B60W30/02; preventing wheel slippage by reducing power in rail vehicles B61C15/00
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 13/0234 changing the valve timing only
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2041/001 for engines with variable valve actuation
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 37/00 Non-electrical conjoint control of two or more functions of engines, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0002 Controlling intake air
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/023 in relation with the gear ratio shifting conjoint control for improving gear change B60W30/19
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 63/40 comprising signals other than signals for actuating the final output mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/12 Improving ICE efficiencies
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 Engine management systems

Abstract

A running state control system for a motor vehicle comprises engine output torque control means, shift detecting means, and a valve timing control system (VTC). When detecting a shifting, the shift detecting means outputs a torque cutoff command signal to the engine output torque control means so as to actuate the valve timing control system. An opening timing of intake valves is changed thereby in a direction such to decrease an engine output torque. In another aspect of the invention control is exercised over a braking torque applied to the driving wheels of the vehicle in correspondence with a traction loss or skid detected thereat.

Claims

1. A running state control system for a motor vehicle, the motor vehicle having an engine, driving wheels and intake valves, the system comprising:

means for generating a torque-cutoff signal indicative of a reduced torque demand on the engine, said means including a traction control system, said traction control system generating as said torque-cutoff signal a traction control ON indicative signal when said traction control system is operating to control traction;

means for controlling a braking torque on the driving wheels in response to said torque-cutoff signal said braking torque controlling means comprising a brake unit; and

valve timing control means or regulating an opening timeing of the intake valves in a direction such as to decrease an output torque of the engine in response to said torque-cutoff signal.

2. A method of controlling a running state of a motor vehicle, the motor vehicle having an engine, driving wheels and intake valves, the method comprising the steps of:

generating a torque-cutoff signal indicative of a reduced torque demand on the engine;

controlling a braking torque on the driving wheels in response to said torque-cutoff signal, said controlling step being carried out with a brake unit; and

regulating an opening timing of the intake valves in a direction such as to decrease an output torque of the engine in response to said torque cutoff signal.