US4531431A — Method and device for controlling a motor vehicle…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 173 words

In a method for controlling a motor vehicle power unit including an internal combustion engine, a variable-ratio transmission, and actuating elements to manipulate the transmission ratio and the fuel supply to the internal combustions engine, the improvement comprising: using operating control means to directly affect, one, an engine function generator for the fuel supply and in which engine functions are stored, and two, a speed function generator in which the optimum engine speed is stored; generating a first reference signal from the speed function generator; sensing the speed at the transmission output by means of a single sensor; generating a second reference signal indicative of said transmission output speed; electronically dividing the first reference signal by the second reference signal in an electronic transmission control unit to form a reference signal of the transmission ratio; and motivating the actuating elements so that the torque of the internal--combustion engine is electronically controlled in response to the fuel infeed and the engine speed is electronically controlled in response to the transmission ratio of the transmission.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 173 words

In a method for controlling a motor vehicle power unit including an internal combustion engine, a variable-ratio transmission, and actuating elements to manipulate the transmission ratio and the fuel supply to the internal combustions engine, the improvement comprising: using operating control means to directly affect, one, an engine function generator for the fuel supply and in which engine functions are stored, and two, a speed function generator in which the optimum engine speed is stored; generating a first reference signal from the speed function generator; sensing the speed at the transmission output by means of a single sensor; generating a second reference signal indicative of said transmission output speed; electronically dividing the first reference signal by the second reference signal in an electronic transmission control unit to form a reference signal of the transmission ratio; and motivating the actuating elements so that the torque of the internal--combustion engine is electronically controlled in response to the fuel infeed and the engine speed is electronically controlled in response to the transmission ratio of the transmission.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 25 words

Method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said operating control means includes at least a selected one of an accelerator pedal and a brake pedal.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 38 words

Method as claimed in claim 1 further including the step of using an output signal of the engine function generator to control a choke or a control lever of a fuel supply system of the internal combustion engine.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 32 words

Method as claimed in claim 1 further including the step of triggering a series of successive control commands in the transmission control unit during transmission control sequences pursuant to a preset schedule.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 48 words

Method as claimed in claim 1 further including the step of processing the first reference signal together with signals from a control panel of the vehicle and in conjunction with further signals generated by the current condition of the transmission to form actuating signals for the transmission ratio.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 30 words

Method as claimed in claim 5, further including the step of using the actuating signals to produce an effect on the pivot angle of hydrostats and couplings of the transmission.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 31 words

Method as claimed in claim 1 further including the step of forming actuating signals for the interal combustion engine and the transmission ratio through final output elements containing underlying actuating circuits.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 27 words

Method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the output rate of a flywheel is influenced proportionately to the intended output by controlling the change in transmission ratio.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 28 words

Method as claimed in claim 1 further including the step of adding a corrective signal to the reference signal of the transmission ratio to allow for concommitant effects.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 131 words

Control device for controlling a motor vehicle power unit consisting of an internal combustion engine and a variable-ratio transmission, comprising an engine function generator and a speed function generator connected at their input ends to operating controls and at their output ends to engine actuating elements, the speed function generator generating a first reference signal, a speed sensor (4) arranged at the transmission output end and generating a second reference signal, means receiving the first and second reference signals and dividing the second reference signal by the first reference signal to form a reference signal of the transmission ratio; and an electronic transmission control unit receiving the reference signal of the transmission ratio for computing actuating signals for the transmission as a function of the reference signal of the transmission ratio.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 131 words

Control device for controlling a motor vehicle power unit consisting of an internal combustion engine and a variable-ratio transmission, comprising an engine function generator and a speed function generator connected at their input ends to operating controls and at their output ends to engine actuating elements, the speed function generator generating a first reference signal, a speed sensor (4) arranged at the transmission output end and generating a second reference signal, means receiving the first and second reference signals and dividing the second reference signal by the first reference signal to form a reference signal of the transmission ratio; and an electronic transmission control unit receiving the reference signal of the transmission ratio for computing actuating signals for the transmission as a function of the reference signal of the transmission ratio.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1988-07-29	1989-01-28	1989-07-30	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1992-07-29	1993-01-28	1993-07-30	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1996-07-29	1997-01-28	1997-07-30	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Method and device for controlling a motor vehicle power unit

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