US4848505A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automobile driving force control apparatus
Assignee: Nissan Motor Co Ltd
•
Filing: 1988-01-19
•
Granted: 1989-07-18
•
Expires: 2008-01-19
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for controlling a throttle valve situated for rotation within an engine induction passage. The apparatus includes a throttle driving unit mechanically coupled to the accelerator pedal for rotating the throttle valve in response to an extent to which the accelerator pedal is depressed. A control circuit is provided for producing an electrical control signal in accordance with automobile running conditions. The control signal is applied to a throttle actuator which thereby produces a driving force to the throttle driving unit for rotating the throttle valve. The throttle driving unit has a structure for restricting rotation of the throttle valve in an opening direction to a degree determined by the extent to which the accelerator pedal is depressed so as to provide a positive prevention of automobile reckless driving.
Inventors
- 👤 Katsuyuki Yoshizawa
- 👤 Tsutomu Sawada
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 21:20
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02D; F02D11/00; F02D11/06; F02D11/10; B; B60; B60K; B60K28/00; B60K28/10; B60K28/16; F02D31/00; F02D31/001; F02D31/002; F02D31/006; F02D2011/101; F02D2011/103
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
277 words
An apparatus for use in an automobile including an internal combustion engine having an accelerator pedal and a throttle valve situated for rotation within an engine indication passage, comprising: a throttle driving unit mechanically coupled to the accelerator pedal for rotating the throttle valve in response to an extent to which the accelerator pedal is depressed; a control circuit for producing an electric control signal in accordance with automobile running conditions; and a throttle actuator responsive to the control signal fed thereto from the control circuit for providing a driving force to the throttle driving unit for rotating the throttle valve; wherein the throttle driving unit includes means for restricting rotation of the throttle valve in an opening direction to a degree determined by the extent to which the accelerator pedal is depressed, and wherein the means for restricting rotation includes a first shaft having the throttle valve secured thereon for rotation in unison therewith, the first shaft being drivingly coupled to the throttle actuator, the first shaft having a first member secured thereon, a second shaft mechanically coupled to the accelerator pedal for rotation in response to the extent to which the accelerator pedal is depressed, the second shaft rotating in a first direction as the accelerator pedal is depressed, the second shaft having a second member secured thereon, a first return spring having a resilient force for urging the second shaft to rotate in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and a second return spring having a resilient force for urging the first shaft to rotate in the first direction opening the throttle valve to abut the second member against the first member.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
277 words
An apparatus for use in an automobile including an internal combustion engine having an accelerator pedal and a throttle valve situated for rotation within an engine indication passage, comprising: a throttle driving unit mechanically coupled to the accelerator pedal for rotating the throttle valve in response to an extent to which the accelerator pedal is depressed; a control circuit for producing an electric control signal in accordance with automobile running conditions; and a throttle actuator responsive to the control signal fed thereto from the control circuit for providing a driving force to the throttle driving unit for rotating the throttle valve; wherein the throttle driving unit includes means for restricting rotation of the throttle valve in an opening direction to a degree determined by the extent to which the accelerator pedal is depressed, and wherein the means for restricting rotation includes a first shaft having the throttle valve secured thereon for rotation in unison therewith, the first shaft being drivingly coupled to the throttle actuator, the first shaft having a first member secured thereon, a second shaft mechanically coupled to the accelerator pedal for rotation in response to the extent to which the accelerator pedal is depressed, the second shaft rotating in a first direction as the accelerator pedal is depressed, the second shaft having a second member secured thereon, a first return spring having a resilient force for urging the second shaft to rotate in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and a second return spring having a resilient force for urging the first shaft to rotate in the first direction opening the throttle valve to abut the second member against the first member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control circuit includes means for calculating a slip factor, means for comparing the calculated slip factor with a predetermined value, and means for producing a control signal causing the throttle actuator to move the throttle valve in a closing direction when the calculated slip factor is greater than the predetermined value.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first shaft is a hollow shaft, and the second shaft is a drive shaft disposed for rotation within the hollow shaft.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the driving force M applied from the throttle actuator to the first shaft is selected as: f<M<F-f where F is the resilient force of the first return spring and f is the resilient force of the second return spring.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
268 words
An apparatus for use in an automobile including an internal combustion engine having an accelerator pedal and a throttle valve situated for rotation within an engine induction passage, comprising: a throttle driving unit mechanically coupled to the accelerator pedal for rotating the throttle valve in response to an extent to which the accelerator pedal is depressed; a control circuit for producing an electric control signal in accordance with automobile running conditions; and a throttle actuator responsive to the control signal fed thereto from the control circuit for providing a driving force to the throttle driving unit for rotating the throttle valve; wherein the throttle driving unit includes means for restricting rotation of the throttle valve in an opening direction to a degree determined by the extent to which the accelerator pedal is depressed, the means for restricting rotation including a first shaft having the throttle valve secured thereon for rotation in unison therewith, the first shaft being drivingly coupled to the throttle actuator, a second shaft mechanically coupled to the accelerator pedal for rotation in response to the extent to which the accelerator pedal is depressed, the second shaft rotating in a first direction as the accelerator pedal is depressed, the second shaft having a member secured thereon, a first return spring having a resilient force for urging the second shaft to rotate in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and a second return spring having a resilient force for urging the first shaft to rotate in the first direction opening the throttle valve to abut the throttle valve against the member of the second shaft.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
268 words
An apparatus for use in an automobile including an internal combustion engine having an accelerator pedal and a throttle valve situated for rotation within an engine induction passage, comprising: a throttle driving unit mechanically coupled to the accelerator pedal for rotating the throttle valve in response to an extent to which the accelerator pedal is depressed; a control circuit for producing an electric control signal in accordance with automobile running conditions; and a throttle actuator responsive to the control signal fed thereto from the control circuit for providing a driving force to the throttle driving unit for rotating the throttle valve; wherein the throttle driving unit includes means for restricting rotation of the throttle valve in an opening direction to a degree determined by the extent to which the accelerator pedal is depressed, the means for restricting rotation including a first shaft having the throttle valve secured thereon for rotation in unison therewith, the first shaft being drivingly coupled to the throttle actuator, a second shaft mechanically coupled to the accelerator pedal for rotation in response to the extent to which the accelerator pedal is depressed, the second shaft rotating in a first direction as the accelerator pedal is depressed, the second shaft having a member secured thereon, a first return spring having a resilient force for urging the second shaft to rotate in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and a second return spring having a resilient force for urging the first shaft to rotate in the first direction opening the throttle valve to abut the throttle valve against the member of the second shaft.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the control circuit includes means for calculating a slip factor, means for comparing the calculated slip factor with a predetermined value, and means for producing a control signal causing the throttle actuator to move the throttle valve in a closing direction when the calculated slip factor is greater than the predetermined value.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first shaft is a hollow shaft, and the second shaft is a drive shaft disposed for rotation within the hollow shaft.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the driving force M applied from the throttle actuator to the first shaft is selected as: f<M<F-f where F is the resilient force of the first return spring and f is the resilient force of the second return spring.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-07-17 | 1993-01-16 | 1993-07-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-07-17 | 1997-01-16 | 1997-07-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-07-17 | 2001-01-16 | 2001-07-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |