Method and device for operating a vehicle

• US 7,263,903 B2
• Filed: 08/24/2005
• Issued: 09/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Meissner, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): THOMPSON, JEWEL VERGIE
• Application Number:
  US11/211,999
• Publication Number:
  US 20060048585A1
• Time in Patent Office: 741 Days
• Field of Search: 738/623.26, 738/623.29, 731/181
• US Class Current: 73/862.326
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/1002 Output torque
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 59/16 Dynamometric measurement of torque
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 3/109 involving measuring phase difference of two signals or pulse trains

Abstract

A method and a device for operating a vehicle allow a torque of the vehicle during operation of the vehicle to be measured. A torsional angle at at least one drive shaft of the vehicle is measured, and the torque transmitted via the at least one drive shaft is ascertained as a function of the measured torsional angle.

Claims

1. A method for operating a vehicle comprising:

measuring a torsional angle at at least one drive shaft of the vehicle;

ascertaining a torque transmitted via the at least one drive shaft as a function of the measured torsional angle;

ascertaining a first phase at one transmission output shaft of the vehicle;

ascertaining a second phase at at least one wheel drive shaft of the vehicle; and

determining the torsional angle from a phase displacement between the first phase and the second phase.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising measuring at least one of the phases by a phase detector at a gearwheel on a corresponding drive shaft.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the transmission output shaft and at least two wheel drive shafts are rigidly connected to one another, via a differential.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the torque is ascertained proportional to the torsional angle in a first region of the torsional angle.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising assigning a fixed value for the torque to the torsional angle in a second region of the torsional angle.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the fixed value is zero.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the torque is ascertained from the torsional angle on a uniform time basis.

2. A method for operating a vehicle comprising:

measuring a torsional angle at at least one drive shaft of the vehicle;

ascertaining a torque transmitted via the at least one drive shaft as a function of the measured torsional angle;

ascertaining a first phase at one transmission output shaft of the vehicle;

ascertaining a second phase at least one wheel drive shaft of the vehicle;

determining the torsional angle from a phase displacement between the first phase and the second phase;

ascertaining a third phase at a first wheel drive shaft of the vehicle;

ascertaining a fourth phase at a second wheel drive shaft of the vehicle; and

forming the second phase by averaging values of the third phase and the fourth phase.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein a first wheel of the vehicle driven by the first wheel drive shaft is situated opposite a second wheel of the vehicle driven by the second wheel drive shaft.

10. A device for operating a vehicle comprising:

a torque detection unit for ascertaining a torque of the vehicle;

a measuring device for measuring a torsional angle at at least one drive shaft of the vehicle; and

an ascertainment unit for ascertaining the torque transmitted via the at least one drive shaft as a function of the measured torsional angle, the ascertainment unit further configured to

ascertain a first phase at one transmission output shaft of the vehicle,

ascertain a second phase at least one wheel drive shaft of the vehicle, and

determine the torsional angle from a phase displacement between the first phase and the second phase.