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US4428257A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Motor vehicle control for an infinitely variable transmission

Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
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Filing: 1980-08-22
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Granted: 1984-01-31
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Expires: 2000-08-22
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Abstract

Abstract In order to control an infinitely-variable transmission of a vehicle engine, a memory stores an optimum fuel consumption curve by which signal transmission is modified through the throttle valve control line or an adjustment regulating valve line for a servomotor connected between the accelerator pedal and the transmission whose ratio is controlled by the servomotor.

Inventors

  • 👤 Michael Meyerle
  • 👤 Friedrich Ehrlinger

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-24 14:55
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60W; B60W10/00; B60W10/04; B60W10/06; B60W10/10; B60W10/101; B60W30/00; B60W30/18; B60W30/1819; B60W30/188; B60W30/1882; F; F16; F16H; F16H61/00; F16H61/66

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim 205 words
An automatic control system for an infinitely variable transmission driven by an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle having an accelerator pedal for controlling an accelerator having a throttle valve of said engine, said system comprising; means for generating an accelerator travel signal representing the displacement of said accelerator; a servo-adjusting device connected between said accelerator pedal and said transmission for controlling the ratio selection thereof, said servo-adjusting device including: a servo-valve provided with an adjustment regulating line acting on said valve in one direction and means responsive to engine speed for acting on said valve in another direction, a servomotor in fluid connection with said valve and connected to said transmission for changing the ratio thereof in response to operation of said valve, and means mechanically coupling said valve with said servomotor for readjusting the position of said valve in response to the displacement of said servomotor; a throttle valve control line operatively connecting said accelerator pedal with said accelerator for the delivery of said signal thereto; and an engine-characteristic store storing an optimum fuel consumption curve which is a function of said engine connected in one of said lines for modifying a signal transmitted therethrough in accordance with said optimum consumption curve.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 205 words
An automatic control system for an infinitely variable transmission driven by an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle having an accelerator pedal for controlling an accelerator having a throttle valve of said engine, said system comprising; means for generating an accelerator travel signal representing the displacement of said accelerator; a servo-adjusting device connected between said accelerator pedal and said transmission for controlling the ratio selection thereof, said servo-adjusting device including: a servo-valve provided with an adjustment regulating line acting on said valve in one direction and means responsive to engine speed for acting on said valve in another direction, a servomotor in fluid connection with said valve and connected to said transmission for changing the ratio thereof in response to operation of said valve, and means mechanically coupling said valve with said servomotor for readjusting the position of said valve in response to the displacement of said servomotor; a throttle valve control line operatively connecting said accelerator pedal with said accelerator for the delivery of said signal thereto; and an engine-characteristic store storing an optimum fuel consumption curve which is a function of said engine connected in one of said lines for modifying a signal transmitted therethrough in accordance with said optimum consumption curve.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 40 words
The system defined in claim 1 wherein said valve responds to a signal differance between an engine speed signal (c) and a control signal (b) in the form of the modified accelerator travel signal (a) derived from said engine-characteristics store.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 49 words
The system defined in claim 2 further comprising an electronic drive controller generating a differential signal (d) from said engine speed signal (c) and one of the signals (b) and (a) for operating said valve so that the set point value of the signal difference (b)+(a)=(d)=constant and (a)+(c)=(d)=constant, respectively.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 42 words
The system defined in claim 3 wherein said signals and a constant control factor (k) at the output of said drive controller operate the valve in such a way that the set point value of the signal difference: (k)+(c)-(b)=(d)=constant, and (k)=(c)-(a)=(d)=constant, respectively.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 16 words
The system defined in claim 3 wherein said engine-characteristics store is incorporated in said drive controller.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 26 words
The system defined in claim 3 further comprising speed restricting means generating a speed restricting signal adapted to override said differential signal in controlling said valve.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 30 words
The system defined in claim 3 further comprising a brake or inching pedal generating a brake signal (f) which is applied to said controller for overriding the differential signal (d).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 13 words
The system defined in claim 1 wherein said engine-characteristics store is a cam.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 267 words
An automatic control system for an infinitely variable transmission driven by an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle having an accelerator pedal for controlling an accelerator having a throttle valve of said engine, said system comprising: means for generating an accelerator travel signal representing the displacement of said accelerator; a servo-adjusting device connected between said accelerator pedal and said transmission for controlling the ratio selection thereof, said servo-adjusting device including: a servo-valve provided with an adjustment regulating line acting on said valve in one direction and means responsive to engine speed for acting on said valve in another direction, a servomotor in fluid connection with said valve and connected to said transmission for changing the ratio thereof in response to operation of said valve, and means mechanically coupling said valve with said servomotor for readjusting the position of said valve in response to the displacement of said servomotor; a throttle valve control line operatively connecting said accelerator pedal with said accelerator for the delivery of said signal thereto; an engine-characteristic store storing an optimum fuel consumption curve which is a function of said engine connected in one of said lines for modifying a signal transmitted therethrough in accordance with said optimum consumption curve, said valve corresponding to a signal difference between an engine speed signal (c) and a control signal (b) in the form of the modified accelerator travel signal (a) derived from said engine-characteristics store; and an inching pedal generating a brake signal (f), a balance lever connecting said valve with said servomotor, and means for applying said brake signal (f) to said balance lever.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 267 words
An automatic control system for an infinitely variable transmission driven by an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle having an accelerator pedal for controlling an accelerator having a throttle valve of said engine, said system comprising: means for generating an accelerator travel signal representing the displacement of said accelerator; a servo-adjusting device connected between said accelerator pedal and said transmission for controlling the ratio selection thereof, said servo-adjusting device including: a servo-valve provided with an adjustment regulating line acting on said valve in one direction and means responsive to engine speed for acting on said valve in another direction, a servomotor in fluid connection with said valve and connected to said transmission for changing the ratio thereof in response to operation of said valve, and means mechanically coupling said valve with said servomotor for readjusting the position of said valve in response to the displacement of said servomotor; a throttle valve control line operatively connecting said accelerator pedal with said accelerator for the delivery of said signal thereto; an engine-characteristic store storing an optimum fuel consumption curve which is a function of said engine connected in one of said lines for modifying a signal transmitted therethrough in accordance with said optimum consumption curve, said valve corresponding to a signal difference between an engine speed signal (c) and a control signal (b) in the form of the modified accelerator travel signal (a) derived from said engine-characteristics store; and an inching pedal generating a brake signal (f), a balance lever connecting said valve with said servomotor, and means for applying said brake signal (f) to said balance lever.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 239 words
An automatic control system for an infinitely variable transmission driven by an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle having an accelerator pedal for controlling an accelerator having a throttle valve of said engine, said system comprising: means for generating an accelerator travel signal representing the displacement of said accelerator; a servo-adjusting device connected between said accelerator pedal and said transmission for controlling the ratio selection thereof, said servo-adjusting device including: a servo-valve provided with an adjustment regulating line acting on said valve in one direction and means responsive to engine speed for acting on said valve in another direction, a servomotor in fluid connection with said valve and connected to said transmission for changing the ratio thereof in response to operation of said valve, and means mechanically coupling said valve with said servomotor for readjusting the position of said valve in response to the displacement of said servomotor; a throttle valve control line operatively connecting said accelerator pedal with said accelerator for the delivery of said signal thereto; an engine-characteristic store storing an optimum fuel consumption curve which is a function of said engine connected in one of said lines for modifying a signal transmitted therethrough in accordance with said optimum consumption curve; and restricting means including a speed selection lever, a balance lever connecting said valve with said servomotor and having a fulcrum and means connecting said selector lever with said fulcrum for adjusting the position thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 239 words
An automatic control system for an infinitely variable transmission driven by an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle having an accelerator pedal for controlling an accelerator having a throttle valve of said engine, said system comprising: means for generating an accelerator travel signal representing the displacement of said accelerator; a servo-adjusting device connected between said accelerator pedal and said transmission for controlling the ratio selection thereof, said servo-adjusting device including: a servo-valve provided with an adjustment regulating line acting on said valve in one direction and means responsive to engine speed for acting on said valve in another direction, a servomotor in fluid connection with said valve and connected to said transmission for changing the ratio thereof in response to operation of said valve, and means mechanically coupling said valve with said servomotor for readjusting the position of said valve in response to the displacement of said servomotor; a throttle valve control line operatively connecting said accelerator pedal with said accelerator for the delivery of said signal thereto; an engine-characteristic store storing an optimum fuel consumption curve which is a function of said engine connected in one of said lines for modifying a signal transmitted therethrough in accordance with said optimum consumption curve; and restricting means including a speed selection lever, a balance lever connecting said valve with said servomotor and having a fulcrum and means connecting said selector lever with said fulcrum for adjusting the position thereof.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1987-01-30 1987-08-01 1988-01-31 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1991-01-30 1991-08-01 1992-01-31 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1995-01-30 1995-08-01 1996-01-31 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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