Electronic throttle control
First Claim
1. A throttle control apparatus in a vehicle having a throttle valve with a default position intermediate a fully-closed position and a fully-open position, and a spring mechanism coupled to the throttle valve that creates torque to move the throttle valve toward the default position in the absence of other torque, the throttle control apparatus comprising:
- an actuator for generating torque to open and close the throttle valve in response to a control signal, wherein the actuator is attached to the throttle valve by a mechanical coupling having lash; and
a processor in communication with the actuator, the processor generating the control signal based upon a command signal, the processor executing a stored program including a portion to;
(i) compare a new value of the command signal with a prior value of the command signal, and (ii) generate the control signal as a function of the deviation between the new and prior values of the command signal.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A throttle control apparatus and method is disclosed in a vehicle having a throttle valve with a default position intermediate a fully-closed position and a fully-open position, and a spring mechanism coupled to the throttle valve that creates torque to move the throttle valve toward the default position in the absence of other torque. The throttle control apparatus includes an actuator for generating torque to open and close the throttle valve in response to a control signal, wherein the actuator is attached to the throttle valve by a mechanical coupling having lash. The throttle control apparatus also includes a processor in communication with the actuator, the processor generating the control signal based upon a command signal. The processor executes a stored program including a portion to compare a new value of the command signal with a prior value of the command signal, and to generate the control signal as a function of the deviation between the new and prior values of the command signal.
37 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A throttle control apparatus in a vehicle having a throttle valve with a default position intermediate a fully-closed position and a fully-open position, and a spring mechanism coupled to the throttle valve that creates torque to move the throttle valve toward the default position in the absence of other torque, the throttle control apparatus comprising:
-
an actuator for generating torque to open and close the throttle valve in response to a control signal, wherein the actuator is attached to the throttle valve by a mechanical coupling having lash; and
a processor in communication with the actuator, the processor generating the control signal based upon a command signal, the processor executing a stored program including a portion to;
(i) compare a new value of the command signal with a prior value of the command signal, and (ii) generate the control signal as a function of the deviation between the new and prior values of the command signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A throttle control method in a vehicle having a throttle valve with a default position intermediate a fully-closed position and a fully-open position, and a spring mechanism coupled to the throttle valve that creates torque to move the throttle valve toward the default position in the absence of other torque, the throttle control method comprising:
-
receiving a command signal at a processor;
comparing a new value of the command signal with a prior value of the command signal at the processor;
generating a control signal at the processor, wherein the control signal is a function of the deviation between the new and prior values of the command signal;
providing the control signal to an actuator that is attached to the throttle valve, with lash existing between the actuator and the throttle valve; and
generating torque at the actuator to open and close the throttle valve in response to the control signal. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
generating the control signal based upon the new value of the command signal if the prior value of the command signal corresponds to a throttle position that is greater than a certain distance from the default position.
-
-
16. The throttle control method of claim 12, further comprising:
generating the control signal without regard to the deviation during an initialization period.
-
17. The throttle control method of claim 12, further comprising:
generating the control signal based upon the new value of the command signal during a first cycle of operation after a fault occurrence.
-
18. A vehicle comprising:
-
a throttle valve with a default position intermediate a fully-closed position and a fully-open position;
a restoring means coupled to the throttle valve for creating torque to move the throttle valve toward the default position in the absence of other torque;
a torquing means attached to the throttle valve for generating torque to open and close the throttle valve in response to a control signal, wherein lash exists between the torquing means and the throttle valve; and
a processing means in communication with the torquing means, the processing means for executing a stored program to;
(i) compare a new value of a command signal with a prior value of the command signal, and (ii) generate the control signal as a function of the deviation between the new and prior values of the command signal. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
-
Specification