Apparatus and method for correcting the throttle opening for automotive engines particularly after starting of the engines

Claim 2

A throttle-opening correcting apparatus for an automotive engine of a vehicle in which the engine has a throttle valve movable between closed and open positions for controlling engine speed, said apparatus comprising actuator means connected to the throttle valve of the engine for opening the throttle valve in increasing direction to a first corrected state; power means connected to said actuator means for feeding operational power thereto; first detecting means for detecting the state of the started engine and thereupon operative to render said power means operative; second detecting means for detecting a predetermined running state of the vehicle for rendering said power means inoperative, third detecting means for detecting a predetermined engine speed, and means connecting said first, second and third detecting means so that with the predetermined running state of the vehicle not achieved, the power means remains operative and the throttle valve is kept in its first corrected state provided said third detecting means detects engine speed below said predetermined engine speed and when said third means detects engine speed above said predetermined engine speed said power means is rendered inoperative irrespective of the detected running state of the vehicle.

Claim 3

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which said first detecting means includes an engine start signal generator means for producing a signal when the engine is started and said second detecting means includes speed signal generator means for producing a signal when vehicle speed exceeds a preset level.

Claim 4

Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said speed signal generator means includes a vehicle speed signal generator.

Claim 5

Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 comprising fourth detecting means for detecting the state of selected engine and associated electrical components for rendering said power means operative when engine speed is less than said predetermined engine speed and the fourth detecting means is operative.

Claim 6

A throttle-opening correcting apparatus for an automotive engine of a vehicle in which the engine has a throttle valve movable between closed and open positions, said apparatus comprising actuator means connected to the throttle valve of the engine for opening the throttle valve in increasing direction to a first corrected state; power means connected to said actuator means for feeding operational power thereto; first detecting means for detecting the state of the started engine and thereupon operative to render said power means operative; second detecting means for detecting a predetermined running state of the vehicle or the started engine for rendering said power means inoperative, said first detecting means including an engine start signal generator means for producing a signal when the engine is started and said second detecting means includes speed signal generator means for producing a signal when at least one of vehicle speed and engine speed exceeds a preset level; and third detecting means for detecting the state of selected engine and associated electrical components for rendering said power means operative when the engine speed is less than said preset level and the third detecting means is operative, said power means including a power source and an electrical circuit for selectively controlling said power source for operating said actuator means, said electrical circuit including an AND circuit for energizing said actuator means, said speed signal generator means including an engine speed signal generator connected to one input of said AND circuit and a vehicle speed signal generator connected to a second input of said AND circuit.

Claim 7

A throttle-opening correcting apparatus for an automotive engine of a vehicle in which the engine has a throttle valve movable between closed and open positions, said apparatus comprising actuator means connected to the throttle valve of the engine for opening the throttle valve in increasing direction to a first corrected state; power means connected to said actuator means for feeding operational power thereto; first detecting means for detecting the state of the started engine and thereupon operative to render said power means operative; second detecting means for detecting a predetermined running state of the vehicle or the started engine for rendering said power means inoperative, said first detecting means including an engine start signal generator means for producing a signal when the engine is started and said second detecting means includes speed signal generator means for producing a signal when at least one of vehicle speed and engine speed exceeds a preset level; and third detecting means for detecting the state of selected engine and associated electrical components for rendering said power means operative when the engine speed is less than said preset level and the third detecting means is operative, said power means including a power source and an electrical circuit for selectively controlling said power source for operating said actuator means, said electrical circuit including an AND circuit for energizing said actuator means, said speed signal generator means including an engine speed signal generator connected to one input of said AND circuit and a vehicle speed signal generator connected to a second input of said AND circuit.

Claim 8

Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein said electrical circuit further comprises a second AND circuit having an output connected to said first AND circuit, said first detecting means being connected to one input of said second AND circuit, said vehicle speed signal generator being connected to a second input of said second AND circuit and thereby to said first AND circuit.

Claim 9

Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein said electrical circuit further comprises a flip-flop connected between said first and second AND circuits, and an inverter having an input connected to said vehicle speed signal generator and an output connected to a second input on said second AND circuit and to one input of said flip-flop.

Claim 10

Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein said electrical circuit further comprises an OR circuit having an output connected to said second input of said first AND circuit, said flip-flop being connected to one input of said OR circuit, said third detecting means being connected to a further input of said OR circuit.

Claim 11

Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein said third detecting means comprises an engine temperature sensor.

Claim 12

Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 further comprising means for moving said throttle valve in further inceased direction to a second corrected state in response to application of a predetermined high external power load on the engine and said power means has been rendered operative.

Claim 13

Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein said actuator means comprises an actuator rod connected to said throttle valve, said power means comprising a flexible diaphragm connected to said rod, a vacuum chamber acting on said diaphragm to displace said diaphragm and said rod therewith when said chamber is subjected to vacuum, and means for selectively connecting said chamber to vacuum and atmosphere in response to the conditions of said first and second detecting means.

Claim 14

Apparatus as claimed in claim 11 comprising stop means for limiting displacement of said diaphragm and thereby of said rod when said vacuum chamber is subjected to vacuum; a second diaphragm supporting said stop means, a second vacuum chamber acting on said second diaphragm to displace said second diaphragm and said stop means therewith for permitting further displacement of said rod and thereby said throttle valve in increasing direction to a more open second state, and means responsive to application of a predetermined relatively high external power load on the engine for supplying vacuum to said second vacuum chamber.

Claim 17

A method as claimed in claim 13 comprising displacing the throttle valve to a second corrected state in which the throttle valve is opened wider than in said first corrected state upon application of predetermined high external power load on the engine.