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Control apparatus for a vehicle

  • US 5,369,584 A
  • Filed: 06/30/1993
  • Issued: 11/29/1994
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/08/1989
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A control apparatus for a vehicle having a power system including at least an engine and a transmission, and a drive system including at least a steering system, a suspension system, a brake system, and an air conditioner, said control apparatus comprising:

  • a plurality of sensors, including first and second groups of sensors, for sensing various operating conditions of the vehicle;

    a central control unit for determining, based on output signals of at least the first group of said sensors, operating conditions of the vehicle and for selectively controlling an overall operation of the vehicle including the power and drive systems;

    a first subcontroller, responsive to said central control unit and at least one sensor from the second group of said sensors, for continuously and independently controlling the power system of the vehicle in accordance with at least one of an output of said central control unit and said one sensor from the second group of sensors;

    a second subcontroller, responsive to said control unit and at least one sensor from the second group of said sensors, for continuously and independently controlling the drive system of the vehicle in accordance with at least one of an output of said central control unit and said one sensor from the second group of sensors;

    first control means, connected to said first subcontroller, for respectively controlling individual components of the power system including the engine and transmission; and

    second control means, connected to said second subcontroller, for respectively controlling individual components of the drive system including the steering system, suspension system, brake system, and air conditioner, wherein said central controller selectively controls said first and second subcontrollers for actively controlling the power and drive systems, respectively.

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