Abstract A four-wheel dirve vehicle has an engine clutch for transmitting the output of an engine to a transmission, main drive wheels operatively connected to an output shaft of the transmission, auxiliary drive wheels, and a transfer clutch for transmitting the output of the transmission to the auxiliary drive wheels. A control system is provided with a steering angle sensor producing a steering signal dependent on steering angle of the vehicle, and a vehicle speed sensor producing a vehicle speed signal. A control unit is provided to respond to the steering signal and vehicle speed signal for controlling the torque capacity of the transfer clutch so as to reduce the torque capacity with increase of the steering angle and with decrease of the vehicle speed.
A control system for a four-wheel drive vehicle having an engine (E), a transmission, an engine clutch (1) for transmitting the output of the engine to the transmission, main drive wheels operatively connected to an output shaft (4) of the transmission, auxiliary drive wheels, and a transfer clutch (52) for transmitting the output of the transmission to the auxiliary drive wheels, characterised in that the system comprises: a steering angle sensor (163) for producing a signal dependent on the steering angle of the vehicle; a vehicle speed sensor (161) for producing a speed signal; and control means (160) responsive to the steering signal and vehicle speed signal for controlling the torque capacity of the transfer clutch (52) so as to reduce the torque capacity with increase of the steering angle and with decrease of the vehicle speed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
A control system for a four-wheel drive vehicle having an engine (E), a transmission, an engine clutch (1) for transmitting the output of the engine to the transmission, main drive wheels operatively connected to an output shaft (4) of the transmission, auxiliary drive wheels, and a transfer clutch (52) for transmitting the output of the transmission to the auxiliary drive wheels, characterised in that the system comprises: a steering angle sensor (163) for producing a signal dependent on the steering angle of the vehicle; a vehicle speed sensor (161) for producing a speed signal; and control means (160) responsive to the steering signal and vehicle speed signal for controlling the torque capacity of the transfer clutch (52) so as to reduce the torque capacity with increase of the steering angle and with decrease of the vehicle speed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
The control system according to claim 1, characterised in that it further comprises load detector means (162) for detecting the load on the engine and for producing a load signal, the control means operative to respond to the load signal for increasing the torque capacity with increase of the load.