Throttle ramp rate control system for a vehicle

• US 6,984,192 B2
• Filed: 11/01/2002
• Issued: 01/10/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Original Assignee: Eaton Corp. (Wisconsin) (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Inventors: Markyvech, Ronald K.
• Primary Examiner(s): HO, HA DINH
• Application Number:
  US10/285,888
• Publication Number:
  US 20040087414A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,166 Days
• Field of Search: 477/900, 477/181, 477/90, 477/107
• US Class Current: 477/181
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 11/105 characterised by the function converting demand to actuation, e.g. a map indicating relations between an accelerator pedal position and throttle valve opening or target engine torque
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2250/18 Control of the engine output torque
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/10 for acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 9/02 concerning induction conduits throttle valves, or arrangements thereof in conduits F02D9/08
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 477/90 Control signal is vehicle weight

Abstract

A system and method for controlling a throttle ramp rate of a vehicle. According to an embodiment of the invention, the controlling of a throttle ramp rate of a vehicle is accomplished by determining the target engine speed for a vehicle during a vehicle launch. If it is determined that there is a high throttle demand upon the engine of the vehicle, a throttle ramp rate offset amount is determined, which is based upon an estimated weight of the vehicle. A default high throttle ramp rate may then be adjusted based upon the determined throttle ramp rate offset.

Claims

1. A method of controlling fueling of an engine during a vehicle launch, comprising the steps of:

determining whether there is a high throttle demand upon said engine;

calculating a throttle ramp rate offset based on an estimated weight of said vehicle when said high throttle demand is present;

adjusting a default high throttle ramp rate based upon said calculated throttle ramp rate offset;

checking whether said calculated throttle ramp rate offset is reasonable; and

correcting said calculated throttle ramp rate offset if determined to be unreasonable.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of checking whether said calculated throttle ramp rate offset is reasonable includes comparing said calculated throttle ramp rate offset to at least one predetermined offset value.

3. A method of controlling fueling of an engine during a vehicle launch, comprising the steps of:

determining whether there is a high throttle demand upon said engine;

calculating a throttle ramp rate offset based on an estimated weight of said vehicle when said high throttle demand is present;

validating said estimated vehicle weight; and

adjusting a default high throttle ramp rate based upon said calculated throttle ramp rate offset;

wherein said step of calculating said throttle ramp rate offset is performed if said estimated vehicle weight is determined to be valid.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein said estimated vehicle weight is held to be valid after a predetermined number of reiterative calculations of said estimated vehicle weight are performed.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein vehicle data required for said reiterative calculations of said estimated vehicle weight is obtained when a transmission of said vehicle shifts from a lower gear to a higher gear.

6. A system of controlling fueling of an engine during a vehicle launch, comprising:

(a) an engine;

(b) a transmission system;

(c) a clutch connecting said engine to said transmission system;

(d) a throttle sensor for monitoring one or more throttle operating parameters;

(f) a control unit, in communication with at least said throttle sensor and said engine, for detecting a high throttle demand and obtaining an estimated weight of said vehicle;

wherein upon detecting said high throttle demand, said control unit adjusts a default high throttle ramp rate based upon said estimated weight of said vehicle; and

wherein said control unit delays adjusting said default high throttle ramp rate until said clutch approaches a predefined operating state.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein said predefined operating state is when said clutch begins to transmit torque.

8. A system of controlling fueling of an engine during a vehicle launch, comprising:

(a) an engine;

(b) a transmission system;

(c) a clutch connecting said engine to said transmission system;

(d) a throttle sensor for monitoring one or more throttle operating parameters; and

(f) a control unit, in communication with at least said throttle sensor and said engine, for detecting a high throttle demand and obtaining an estimated weight of said vehicle;

wherein upon detecting said high throttle demand, said control unit adjusts a default high throttle ramp rate based upon said estimated weight of said vehicle; and

wherein said clutch is a centrifugal frictional clutch.

9. A system of controlling fueling of an engine during a vehicle launch, comprising:

(a) an engine;

(b) a transmission system;

(c) a clutch connecting said engine to said transmission system;

(d) a throttle sensor for monitoring one or more throttle operating parameters; and

(f) a control unit, in communication with at least said throttle sensor and said engine, for detecting a high throttle demand and obtaining an estimated weight of said vehicle;

wherein upon detecting said high throttle demand, said control unit adjusts a default high throttle ramp rate based upon said estimated weight of said vehicle; and

wherein said clutch is a frictional position-controlled clutch.