Traction control system for controlling slip of a driving wheel of a vehicle

Claim 2

A control system for controlling the slip of a driving wheel of a vehicle having at least two driving wheels, said system comprising: a driving wheel speed sensor means for sensing the speed of said driving wheels and for generating a driving wheel speed signal as a function thereof; a vehicle speed sensor means for sensing the speed of said vehicle and for generating a vehicle speed signal as a function thereof; a first selecting circuit means, included within said driving wheel speed sensor means and operatively connected to said vehicle speed sensor means, for selecting the speed of only one of said driving wheels, on opposing sides of the vehicle, as said driving wheel speed signal, such that when the vehicle speed is below a predetermined value, said first selecting means selects the speed of the slower of said driving wheels as said driving wheel speed signal, and control means responsive to said driving wheel speed signal from said first selecting circuit means for controlling the slip of said driving wheel.

Claim 3

A control system for controlling the slip of a driving wheel of a vehicle, said system comprising: a driving wheel speed sensor means for sensing the speed of a driving wheel and for generating a driving wheel speed signal as a function thereof; a vehicle speed sensor means for sensing the speed of said vehicle and for generating a vehicle speed signal as a function thereof; setting circuit means for generating a first predetermined constant value (C 2 ) signal and a constant level signal (V C2 ); generating means operatively connected to said vehicle speed sensor means and to said setting circuit means, for generating a speed reference value which is the larger of two values, the first value being a function of the sum of said vehicle speed signal and said first predetermined constant value signal and the second value being said constant level signal (V C2 ); detecting means, operatively connected to said driving wheel speed sensor means and said generating means, for detecting an excess slip condition when said driving wheel speed signal is greater than said speed reference value, and outputting an excess slip signal when said excess slip condition is detected; and output means coupled to said detecting means, for providing a driving wheel slip control signal in response to the output of said detecting means.

Claim 4

A control system for controlling the slip of a driving wheel of a vehicle, said system comprising: a driving wheel speed sensor means for sensing the speed of a driving wheel and for generating a driving wheel speed signal as a function thereof; a vehicle speed sensor means for sensing the speed of said vehicle and for generating a vehicle speed signal as a function thereof; setting circuit means for generating a first predetermined constant value (C 2 ) signal and a constant level signal (V C2 ); generating means operatively connected to said vehicle speed sensor means and to said setting circuit means, for generating a speed reference value which is the larger of two values, the first value being a function of the sum of said vehicle speed signal and said first predetermined constant value signal and the second value being said constant level signal (V C2 ); detecting means, operatively connected to said driving wheel speed sensor means and said generating means, for detecting an excess slip condition when said driving wheel speed signal is greater than said speed reference value, and outputting an excess slip signal when said excess slip condition is detected; and output means coupled to said detecting means, for providing a driving wheel slip control signal in response to the output of said detecting means.

Claim 5

A control system for controlling the slip of a driving wheel of a vehicle, said system comprising: a driving wheel speed sensor means for sensing the speed of a driving wheel and for generating a driving wheel signal as a function thereof; vehicle speed sensor means for sensing the speed of said vehicle and for generating a vehicle speed signal as a function thereof; slip rate calculating means, coupled to said driving wheel speed sensor means and said vehicle speed sensor means for calculating the slip rate of the driving wheel with respect to the movement of said vehicle as a function of said driving wheel speed signal and said vehicle speed signal and for generating a slip rate signal in accordance therewith; setting circuit means for generating a first predetermined constant value (C 2 ) signal and a constant level signal (V C2 ); a generating means, operatively connected to said vehicle speed sensor means and said setting circuit means, for generating a slip rate reference value which is the larger of two values, the first value being a function of said vehicle speed signal and said first predetermined constant value signal (C 2 ) and the second value being a function of said vehicle speed and said constant level signal (V C2 ) a detecting means, operatively connected to said slip rate calculating means and said generating means, for detecting an excess slip condition and outputting an excess slip signal when said slip rate signal is greater than said slip rate reference value; and output means coupled to said detecting means, for providing a driving wheel slip control signal in response to the output of said detecting means.

Claim 6

A control system for controlling the slip of a driving wheel of a vehicle, said system comprising: a driving wheel speed sensor means for sensing the speed of a driving wheel and for generating a driving wheel signal as a function thereof; vehicle speed sensor means for sensing the speed of said vehicle and for generating a vehicle speed signal as a function thereof; slip rate calculating means, coupled to said driving wheel speed sensor means and said vehicle speed sensor means for calculating the slip rate of the driving wheel with respect to the movement of said vehicle as a function of said driving wheel speed signal and said vehicle speed signal and for generating a slip rate signal in accordance therewith; setting circuit means for generating a first predetermined constant value (C 2 ) signal and a constant level signal (V C2 ); a generating means, operatively connected to said vehicle speed sensor means and said setting circuit means, for generating a slip rate reference value which is the larger of two values, the first value being a function of said vehicle speed signal and said first predetermined constant value signal (C 2 ) and the second value being a function of said vehicle speed and said constant level signal (V C2 ) a detecting means, operatively connected to said slip rate calculating means and said generating means, for detecting an excess slip condition and outputting an excess slip signal when said slip rate signal is greater than said slip rate reference value; and output means coupled to said detecting means, for providing a driving wheel slip control signal in response to the output of said detecting means.

Claim 7

A control system for controlling the slip of a driving wheel of a vehicle, said system comprising: driving wheel speed sensor means for sensing the speed of a driving wheel and for generating a driving wheel speed signal as a function thereof; vehicle speed sensor means for sensing the speed of the vehicle and for generating a vehicle speed signal as a function thereof; slip rate calculating means, coupled to said driving wheel speed sensor means and said vehicle speed sensor means for calculating the slip rate ofthe driving wheel with respect to the movement of said vehicle as a function of said driving wheel speed signal and said vehicle speed signal and for generating a slip rate signal in accordance therewith; differentiating means, coupled to said slip rate calculating means, for calculating the differential value (λ.sup.•) of said slip rate; a reference determination means, operatively connected to said vehicle speed sensor means, for generating a differential reference value as a function of said vehicle speed signal; a detecting means, operatively coupled to said differentiating means and said reference determination means, for detecting an excess slip condition and outputting an excess slip signal when said differential value of said slip rate is greater than said differential reference value; and output means, coupled to said detecting means, for providing a driving wheel slip control signal in response to said excess slip signal output from said detecting means.

Claim 8

A control system for controlling the slip of a driving wheel of a vehicle, said system comprising: driving wheel speed sensor means for sensing the speed of a driving wheel and for generating a driving wheel speed signal as a function thereof; vehicle speed sensor means for sensing the speed of the vehicle and for generating a vehicle speed signal as a function thereof; slip rate calculating means, coupled to said driving wheel speed sensor means and said vehicle speed sensor means for calculating the slip rate ofthe driving wheel with respect to the movement of said vehicle as a function of said driving wheel speed signal and said vehicle speed signal and for generating a slip rate signal in accordance therewith; differentiating means, coupled to said slip rate calculating means, for calculating the differential value (λ.sup.•) of said slip rate; a reference determination means, operatively connected to said vehicle speed sensor means, for generating a differential reference value as a function of said vehicle speed signal; a detecting means, operatively coupled to said differentiating means and said reference determination means, for detecting an excess slip condition and outputting an excess slip signal when said differential value of said slip rate is greater than said differential reference value; and output means, coupled to said detecting means, for providing a driving wheel slip control signal in response to said excess slip signal output from said detecting means.

Claim 9

A control system for controlling the slip of a driving wheel of a vehicle, said system comprising: driving wheel speed sensor for sensing the speed of a driving wheel and for generating a driving wheel signal as a function thereof; vehicle speed sensor means for sensing the speed of said vehicle and for generating a vehicle speed signal as a function thereof; slip rate calculating means, coupled to said driving wheel speed sensor means and said vehicle speed sensor means for calculating the slip rate of the driving wheel with respect to the movement of said vehicle as a function of said driving wheel speed signal and said vehicle speed signal and for generating a slip rate signal in accordance therewith; differentiating means, coupled to said slip rate calculating mean, for calculating the differential value (λ.sup.•) of said slip rate; setting circuit means for generating a first predetermined constant value signal (F 1 ), a second predetermined constant value signal (C 1 ), and a constant level signal (V C1 ); reference determination means, operatively connected to said setting circuit means, for generating a differential reference value as a function of said first predetermined constant value signal (F 1 ); first detecting means, operatively coupled to said differentiating means and said reference determination means, for detecting a first slip condition and outputting a first slip signal when said differential value of said slip rate is greater than said differential reference value; first generating means, operatively coupled to said vehicle speed sensor means and to said setting circuit means, for generating a speed reference value which is the larger of two values, the first value being a function of the sum of said vehicle speed signal and said second predetermined constant value signal (C 1 ) and the second value being said constant level signal (V C1 ); second detecting means, coupled to said first generating means and said driving wheel speed sensor means, for detecting a second slip condition and utputting a second slip signal when said driving wheel speed signal is greater than said speed reference value; and output means, coupled to said first and second detecting means, for providing a driving wheel slip control signal when both said first and second detecting means output said first and second slip signals.

Claim 10

A control system for controlling the slip of a driving wheel of a vehicle, said system comprising: driving wheel speed sensor for sensing the speed of a driving wheel and for generating a driving wheel signal as a function thereof; vehicle speed sensor means for sensing the speed of said vehicle and for generating a vehicle speed signal as a function thereof; slip rate calculating means, coupled to said driving wheel speed sensor means and said vehicle speed sensor means for calculating the slip rate of the driving wheel with respect to the movement of said vehicle as a function of said driving wheel speed signal and said vehicle speed signal and for generating a slip rate signal in accordance therewith; differentiating means, coupled to said slip rate calculating mean, for calculating the differential value (λ.sup.•) of said slip rate; setting circuit means for generating a first predetermined constant value signal (F 1 ), a second predetermined constant value signal (C 1 ), and a constant level signal (V C1 ); reference determination means, operatively connected to said setting circuit means, for generating a differential reference value as a function of said first predetermined constant value signal (F 1 ); first detecting means, operatively coupled to said differentiating means and said reference determination means, for detecting a first slip condition and outputting a first slip signal when said differential value of said slip rate is greater than said differential reference value; first generating means, operatively coupled to said vehicle speed sensor means and to said setting circuit means, for generating a speed reference value which is the larger of two values, the first value being a function of the sum of said vehicle speed signal and said second predetermined constant value signal (C 1 ) and the second value being said constant level signal (V C1 ); second detecting means, coupled to said first generating means and said driving wheel speed sensor means, for detecting a second slip condition and utputting a second slip signal when said driving wheel speed signal is greater than said speed reference value; and output means, coupled to said first and second detecting means, for providing a driving wheel slip control signal when both said first and second detecting means output said first and second slip signals.

Claim 11

A control system for controlling the slip of a driving wheel of a vehicle, said system comprising: driving wheel speed sensor means for sensing the speed of a driving wheel and for generating a driving wheel signal as a function thereof; vehicle speed sensor means for sensing the speed of said vehicle and for generating a vehicle speed signal as a function thereof; slip rate calculating means, coupled to said driving wheel speed sensor means and said vehicle speed sensor means for calculating the slip rate of the driving wheel with respect to the movement of said vehicle as a function of said driving wheel speed signal and said vehicle speed signal and for generating a slip rate signal in accordance therewith; differentiating means, coupled to said slip rate calculating means, for calculating the differential value (λ.sup.•) of said slip rate; setting circuit means for generating a first predetermined constant value signal (F 1 ), a second predetermined constant value signal (C 1 ), and a constant level signal (V C1 ); reference determination means, operatively connected to said vehicle speed sensor means and to said setting circuit means, for generating a differential reference value as a function of the sum of said vehicle speed signal and said first predetermined constant value signal (F 1 ); first detecting means, coupled to said differentiating means and said reference determination means, for detecting a first slip condition and outputting a first slip signal when said differential value of said slip rate is greater than said differential reference value; first generating means, operatively coupled to said vehicle speed sensor means and to said setting circuit means, for generating a slip rate reference value which is the larger of two values, the first value being a function of said vehicle speed signal and said second predetermined constant value signal (C 1 ) and the second value being a function of said constant level signal (V C1 ) and said vehicle speed signal; second detecting means, coupled to said first generating means and said slip rate calculating means, for detecting a second slip condition and outputting a second slip signal when said slip rate is greater than said slip rate reference value; and output means coupled to said first and second detecting means for providing a driving wheel slip control signal when both said first and second detecting means output said first and second slip signals.

Claim 12

A control system for controlling the slip of a driving wheel of a vehicle, said system comprising: driving wheel speed sensor means for sensing the speed of a driving wheel and for generating a driving wheel signal as a function thereof; vehicle speed sensor means for sensing the speed of said vehicle and for generating a vehicle speed signal as a function thereof; slip rate calculating means, coupled to said driving wheel speed sensor means and said vehicle speed sensor means for calculating the slip rate of the driving wheel with respect to the movement of said vehicle as a function of said driving wheel speed signal and said vehicle speed signal and for generating a slip rate signal in accordance therewith; differentiating means, coupled to said slip rate calculating means, for calculating the differential value (λ.sup.•) of said slip rate; setting circuit means for generating a first predetermined constant value signal (F 1 ), a second predetermined constant value signal (C 1 ), and a constant level signal (V C1 ); reference determination means, operatively connected to said vehicle speed sensor means and to said setting circuit means, for generating a differential reference value as a function of the sum of said vehicle speed signal and said first predetermined constant value signal (F 1 ); first detecting means, coupled to said differentiating means and said reference determination means, for detecting a first slip condition and outputting a first slip signal when said differential value of said slip rate is greater than said differential reference value; first generating means, operatively coupled to said vehicle speed sensor means and to said setting circuit means, for generating a slip rate reference value which is the larger of two values, the first value being a function of said vehicle speed signal and said second predetermined constant value signal (C 1 ) and the second value being a function of said constant level signal (V C1 ) and said vehicle speed signal; second detecting means, coupled to said first generating means and said slip rate calculating means, for detecting a second slip condition and outputting a second slip signal when said slip rate is greater than said slip rate reference value; and output means coupled to said first and second detecting means for providing a driving wheel slip control signal when both said first and second detecting means output said first and second slip signals.

Claim 13

A control system for controlling the slip of a driving wheel of a vehicle, said system comprising: driving wheel speed sensor means for sensing the speed of a driving wheel and for generating a driving wheel speed signal as a function thereof; vehicle speed sensor means for sensing the speed of the vehicle and for generating a vehicle speed signal as a function thereof; slip rate calculating means, coupled to said driving wheel speed sensor means and said vehicle speed sensor means for calculating a slip rate of the driving wheel with respect to the movement of said vehicle as a function of said driving wheel speed signal and said vehicle speed signal and for generating a slip rate signal in accordance therewith; differentiating means, coupled to said slip rate calculating means, for calculating the differential value (λ.sup.•) of said slip rate; setting circuit means for generating a first predetermined constant value signal (F 2 ), a second predetermined constant value signal (F 1 ), a third predetermined constant value signal (C 1 ), a fourth predetermined constant value signal (C 2 ), a first constant level signal (V C1 ), and a second constant level signal (V C2 ); a first reference determination means, operatively connected to said vehicle speed sensor means and to said setting circuit means, for generating a first differential reference value as a function of the sum of said vehicle speed signal and said first predetermined constant value signal (F 2 ); a first detecting means, operatively coupled to said differentiating means and said first reference determination means, for detecting an excess slip condition and outputting an excess slip signal when said differential value of said slip rate is greater than said first differential reference value; a second reference determination means, operatively connected to said vehicle speed sensor means and to said setting circuit means, for generating a second differential reference value as a function of the sum of said vehicle speed signal and said second predetermined constant value signal (F 1 ); second detecting means, operatively coupled to said differentiating means and said second reference determination means, for detecting a first slip condition and outputting a first slip signal when said differential value of said slip rate is greater than said second differential reference value; first generating means, operatively coupled to said vehicle speed sensor means and to said setting circuit means, for generating a first speed reference value which is the larger of two values, the first value being a function of the sum of said vehicle speed signal and said third predetermined constant value signal (C 1 ) and the second value being said first constant level signal (V C1 ); third detecting means, coupled to said first generating means and said driving wheel speed sensor means, for detecting a second slip condition and outputting a second slip signal when said driving wheel speed signal is greater than said first speed reference value; second generating means operatively connected to said vehicle speed sensor means and to said setting circuit means, for generating a second speed reference value which is the larger of two values, the first value being a function of the sum of said vehicle speed signal and said fourth predetermined constant value signal (C 2 ) and the second value being said second constant level signal (V C2 ); fourth detecting means, operatively connected to said driving wheel speed sensor means and said second generating means, for detecting an excess slip condition, and outputting an excess slip signal when said driving wheel signal is greater than said second speed reference value; and output means coupled to said first, second, third and fourth detecting means for providing a driving wheel slip control signal when at least one of (i) said first detecting means outputs an excess slip signal, (ii) said second and third detecting means both output said first and second slip signals, and (iii) said fourth detecting means outputs an excess slip signal.

Claim 14

A control system for controlling the slip of a driving wheel of a vehicle, said system comprising: driving wheel speed sensor means for sensing the speed of a driving wheel and for generating a driving wheel speed signal as a function thereof; vehicle speed sensor means for sensing the speed of the vehicle and for generating a vehicle speed signal as a function thereof; slip rate calculating means, coupled to said driving wheel speed sensor means and said vehicle speed sensor means for calculating a slip rate of the driving wheel with respect to the movement of said vehicle as a function of said driving wheel speed signal and said vehicle speed signal and for generating a slip rate signal in accordance therewith; differentiating means, coupled to said slip rate calculating means, for calculating the differential value (λ.sup.•) of said slip rate; setting circuit means for generating a first predetermined constant value signal (F 2 ), a second predetermined constant value signal (F 1 ), a third predetermined constant value signal (C 1 ), a fourth predetermined constant value signal (C 2 ), a first constant level signal (V C1 ), and a second constant level signal (V C2 ); a first reference determination means, operatively connected to said vehicle speed sensor means and to said setting circuit means, for generating a first differential reference value as a function of the sum of said vehicle speed signal and said first predetermined constant value signal (F 2 ); a first detecting means, operatively coupled to said differentiating means and said first reference determination means, for detecting an excess slip condition and outputting an excess slip signal when said differential value of said slip rate is greater than said first differential reference value; a second reference determination means, operatively connected to said vehicle speed sensor means and to said setting circuit means, for generating a second differential reference value as a function of the sum of said vehicle speed signal and said second predetermined constant value signal (F 1 ); second detecting means, operatively coupled to said differentiating means and said second reference determination means, for detecting a first slip condition and outputting a first slip signal when said differential value of said slip rate is greater than said second differential reference value; first generating means, operatively coupled to said vehicle speed sensor means and to said setting circuit means, for generating a first speed reference value which is the larger of two values, the first value being a function of the sum of said vehicle speed signal and said third predetermined constant value signal (C 1 ) and the second value being said first constant level signal (V C1 ); third detecting means, coupled to said first generating means and said driving wheel speed sensor means, for detecting a second slip condition and outputting a second slip signal when said driving wheel speed signal is greater than said first speed reference value; second generating means operatively connected to said vehicle speed sensor means and to said setting circuit means, for generating a second speed reference value which is the larger of two values, the first value being a function of the sum of said vehicle speed signal and said fourth predetermined constant value signal (C 2 ) and the second value being said second constant level signal (V C2 ); fourth detecting means, operatively connected to said driving wheel speed sensor means and said second generating means, for detecting an excess slip condition, and outputting an excess slip signal when said driving wheel signal is greater than said second speed reference value; and output means coupled to said first, second, third and fourth detecting means for providing a driving wheel slip control signal when at least one of (i) said first detecting means outputs an excess slip signal, (ii) said second and third detecting means both output said first and second slip signals, and (iii) said fourth detecting means outputs an excess slip signal.

Claim 15

A control system for controlling the slip of a driving wheel of a vehicle, said system comprising: driving wheel speed sensor means for sensing the speed of a driving wheel and for generating a driving wheel speed signal as a function thereof; vehicle speed sensor means for sensing the speed of the vehicle and for generating a vehicle speed signal as a function thereof; slip rate calculating means, coupled to said driving wheel speed sensor means and said vehicle speed sensor means for calculating the slip rate of the driving wheel with respect to the movement of said vehicle as a function of said driving wheel speed signal and said vehicle speed signal and for generating a slip rate signal in accordance therewith; differentiating means, coupled to said slip rate calculating means, for calculating the differential value (λ.sup.•) of said slip rate; setting circuit means for generating a first predetermined constant value signal (F 2 ), a second predetermined constant value signal (F 1 ), a third predetermined constant value signal (C 1 ), a fourth predetermined constant value signal (C 2 ), a first constat level signal (C C1 ), and a second constant level signal (V C2 ); a first reference determination means, operatively connected to said vehicle speed sensor means and to said setting circuit means, for generating a first differential reference value as a function of the sum of said vehicle speed signal and said first predetermined constant value signal (F 2 ); a first detecting means, operatively coupled to said differentiating means and said first reference determination means, for detecting an excess slip condition and outputting an excess slip signal when said differential value of said slip rate is greater than said first differential reference value; a second reference determination means, operatively connected to said vehicle speed sensor means and to said setting circuit means, for generating a second differential reference value as a function of the sum of said vehicle speed signal and said second predetermined constant value signal (F 1 ); second detecting means, coupled to said differentiating means and said second reference determination means, for detecting a first slip condition and outputting a first slip signal when said differential value of said slip rate is greater than said second differential reference value; first generating means, operatively coupled to said vehicle speed sensor means and to said setting circuit means, for generating a slip rate reference value which is the larger of two values, the first value being a function of said vehicle speed signal and said third predetermined constant value signal (C 1 ) and the second value being a function of said first constant level signal (V Cl ) and said vehicle speed signal; third detecting means, coupled to said first generating means and said slip rate calculating means, for detecting a second slip condition and outputting a second slip signal when said slip rate is greater than said slip rate reference value; and second generating means operatively connected to said vehicle speed sensor means and to said setting circuit means, for generating a speed reference value which is the larger of two values, the first value being a function of the sum of said vehicle speed signal and said fourth predetermined constant value signal (C 2 ) and the second value being said second constant level signal (V C2 ); fourth detecting means, operatively connected to said driving wheel speed sensor means and said second generating means, for detecting an excess slip condition, and outputting an excess slip signal when said driving wheel signal is greater than said speed reference value; and output means coupled to said first, second, third and fourth detecting means for providing a driving wheel slip control signal when at least one of (i) said first detecting means outputs an excess slip signal, (ii) said second and third detecting means both output said first and second slip signals, and (iii) said fourth detecting means outputs an excess slip signal.

Claim 16

A control system for controlling the slip of a driving wheel of a vehicle, said system comprising: driving wheel speed sensor means for sensing the speed of a driving wheel and for generating a driving wheel speed signal as a function thereof; vehicle speed sensor means for sensing the speed of the vehicle and for generating a vehicle speed signal as a function thereof; slip rate calculating means, coupled to said driving wheel speed sensor means and said vehicle speed sensor means for calculating the slip rate of the driving wheel with respect to the movement of said vehicle as a function of said driving wheel speed signal and said vehicle speed signal and for generating a slip rate signal in accordance therewith; differentiating means, coupled to said slip rate calculating means, for calculating the differential value (λ.sup.•) of said slip rate; setting circuit means for generating a first predetermined constant value signal (F 2 ), a second predetermined constant value signal (F 1 ), a third predetermined constant value signal (C 1 ), a fourth predetermined constant value signal (C 2 ), a first constat level signal (C C1 ), and a second constant level signal (V C2 ); a first reference determination means, operatively connected to said vehicle speed sensor means and to said setting circuit means, for generating a first differential reference value as a function of the sum of said vehicle speed signal and said first predetermined constant value signal (F 2 ); a first detecting means, operatively coupled to said differentiating means and said first reference determination means, for detecting an excess slip condition and outputting an excess slip signal when said differential value of said slip rate is greater than said first differential reference value; a second reference determination means, operatively connected to said vehicle speed sensor means and to said setting circuit means, for generating a second differential reference value as a function of the sum of said vehicle speed signal and said second predetermined constant value signal (F 1 ); second detecting means, coupled to said differentiating means and said second reference determination means, for detecting a first slip condition and outputting a first slip signal when said differential value of said slip rate is greater than said second differential reference value; first generating means, operatively coupled to said vehicle speed sensor means and to said setting circuit means, for generating a slip rate reference value which is the larger of two values, the first value being a function of said vehicle speed signal and said third predetermined constant value signal (C 1 ) and the second value being a function of said first constant level signal (V Cl ) and said vehicle speed signal; third detecting means, coupled to said first generating means and said slip rate calculating means, for detecting a second slip condition and outputting a second slip signal when said slip rate is greater than said slip rate reference value; and second generating means operatively connected to said vehicle speed sensor means and to said setting circuit means, for generating a speed reference value which is the larger of two values, the first value being a function of the sum of said vehicle speed signal and said fourth predetermined constant value signal (C 2 ) and the second value being said second constant level signal (V C2 ); fourth detecting means, operatively connected to said driving wheel speed sensor means and said second generating means, for detecting an excess slip condition, and outputting an excess slip signal when said driving wheel signal is greater than said speed reference value; and output means coupled to said first, second, third and fourth detecting means for providing a driving wheel slip control signal when at least one of (i) said first detecting means outputs an excess slip signal, (ii) said second and third detecting means both output said first and second slip signals, and (iii) said fourth detecting means outputs an excess slip signal.

Claim 17

A control system for controlling the slip of a driving wheel of a vehicle, said system comprising: driving wheel speed sensor means for sensing the speed of a driving wheel and for generating a driving wheel speed signal as a function thereof; vehicle speed sensor means for sensing the speed of the vehicle and for generating a vehicle speed signal as a function thereof slip rate calculating means, coupled to said driving wheel speed sensor means and said vehicle speed sensor means for calculating the slip rate of the driving wheel with respect to the movement of said vehicle as a function of said driving wheel speed signal and said vehicle speed signal and for generating a slip rate signal in accordance therewith; differentiating means, coupled to said slip rate calculating means, for calculating the differential value (λ) of said slip rate; setting circuit means for generating a first predetermined constant value signal (F 2 ), a second predetermined constant value signal (F 1 ), a third predetermined constant value signal (C 1 ), a fourth predetermined constant value signal (C 2 ), a first constant level signal (V C1 ), and a second constant level signal (V C2 ); a first reference determination means, operatively connected to said vehicle speed sensor means and to said setting circuit means, for generating a first differential reference value as a function of the sum of said vehicle speed signal and said first predetermined constant value signal (F 2 ); a first detecting means, operatively coupled to said differentiating means and said first reference determination means, for detecting an excess slip condition and outputting an excess slip signal when said differential value of said slip rate is greater than said first differential reference value; a second reference determination means, operatively connected to said vehicle speed sensor means and to said setting circuit means, for generating a second differential reference value as a function of the sum of said vehicle speed signal and said second predetermined constant value signal (F 1 ); second detecting means, operatively coupled to said differentiating means and said second reference determination means, for detecting a first slip condition and outputting a first slip signal when said differential value of said slip rate is greater than said second differential reference value; first generating means, operatively coupled to said vehicle speed sensor means and to said setting circuit means, for generating a speed reference value which is the larger of two values, the first value being a function of the sum of said vehicle speed signal and said third predetermined constant value signal (C 1 ) and the second value being said first constant level signal (V C1 ); third detecting means, coupled to said first generating means and said driving wheel speed sensor means, for detecting a second slip condition and outputting a second slip signal when said driving wheel speed signal is greater than said speed reference value; second generating means, operatively connected to said vehicle speed sensor means and said setting circuit means, for generating a slip rate reference value which is the larger of two values, the first value being a function of said vehicle speed signal and said fourth predetermined constant value signal (C 2 ) and the second value being a function of said vehicle speed and said second constant level signal (V C2 ); fourth detecting means, operatively connected to said slip rate calculating means and said second generating means, for detecting an excess slip condition and outputting an excess slip signal when said slip rate signal is greater than said slip rate reference value; and output means coupled to said first, second, third and fourth detecting means for providing a driving wheel slip control signal when at least one of (i) said first detecting means outputs an excess slip signal, (ii) said second and third detecting means both output said first and second slip signals, and (iii) said fourth detecting means outputs an excess slip signal.

Claim 18

A control system for controlling the slip of a driving wheel of a vehicle, said system comprising: driving wheel speed sensor means for sensing the speed of a driving wheel and for generating a driving wheel speed signal as a function thereof; vehicle speed sensor means for sensing the speed of the vehicle and for generating a vehicle speed signal as a function thereof slip rate calculating means, coupled to said driving wheel speed sensor means and said vehicle speed sensor means for calculating the slip rate of the driving wheel with respect to the movement of said vehicle as a function of said driving wheel speed signal and said vehicle speed signal and for generating a slip rate signal in accordance therewith; differentiating means, coupled to said slip rate calculating means, for calculating the differential value (λ) of said slip rate; setting circuit means for generating a first predetermined constant value signal (F 2 ), a second predetermined constant value signal (F 1 ), a third predetermined constant value signal (C 1 ), a fourth predetermined constant value signal (C 2 ), a first constant level signal (V C1 ), and a second constant level signal (V C2 ); a first reference determination means, operatively connected to said vehicle speed sensor means and to said setting circuit means, for generating a first differential reference value as a function of the sum of said vehicle speed signal and said first predetermined constant value signal (F 2 ); a first detecting means, operatively coupled to said differentiating means and said first reference determination means, for detecting an excess slip condition and outputting an excess slip signal when said differential value of said slip rate is greater than said first differential reference value; a second reference determination means, operatively connected to said vehicle speed sensor means and to said setting circuit means, for generating a second differential reference value as a function of the sum of said vehicle speed signal and said second predetermined constant value signal (F 1 ); second detecting means, operatively coupled to said differentiating means and said second reference determination means, for detecting a first slip condition and outputting a first slip signal when said differential value of said slip rate is greater than said second differential reference value; first generating means, operatively coupled to said vehicle speed sensor means and to said setting circuit means, for generating a speed reference value which is the larger of two values, the first value being a function of the sum of said vehicle speed signal and said third predetermined constant value signal (C 1 ) and the second value being said first constant level signal (V C1 ); third detecting means, coupled to said first generating means and said driving wheel speed sensor means, for detecting a second slip condition and outputting a second slip signal when said driving wheel speed signal is greater than said speed reference value; second generating means, operatively connected to said vehicle speed sensor means and said setting circuit means, for generating a slip rate reference value which is the larger of two values, the first value being a function of said vehicle speed signal and said fourth predetermined constant value signal (C 2 ) and the second value being a function of said vehicle speed and said second constant level signal (V C2 ); fourth detecting means, operatively connected to said slip rate calculating means and said second generating means, for detecting an excess slip condition and outputting an excess slip signal when said slip rate signal is greater than said slip rate reference value; and output means coupled to said first, second, third and fourth detecting means for providing a driving wheel slip control signal when at least one of (i) said first detecting means outputs an excess slip signal, (ii) said second and third detecting means both output said first and second slip signals, and (iii) said fourth detecting means outputs an excess slip signal.

Claim 19

A control system for controlling the slip of a driving wheel of a vehicle, said system comprising: driving wheel speed sensor means for sensing the speed of a driving wheel and for generating a driving wheel speed signal as a function thereof; vehicle speed sensor means for sensing the speed of the vehicle and for generating a vehicle speed signal as a function thereof; slip rate calculating means, coupled to said driving wheel speed sensor means and said vehicle speed sensor means for calculating the slip rate of the driving wheel with respect to the movement of said vehicle as a function of said driving wheel speed signal and said vehicle speed signal and for generating a slip rate signal in accordance therewith; differentiating means, coupled to said slip rate calculating means, for calculating the differential value (λ) of said slip rate; setting circuit means for generating a first predetermined constant value signal (F 2 ), a second predetermined constant value signal (F 1 ), a third predetermined constant value signal (C 1 ), a fourth predetermined constant value signal (C 2 ), a first constant level signal (V C1 ), and a second constant level signal (V C2 ); a first reference determination means, operatively connected to said vehicle speed sensor means and to said setting circuit means, for generating a first differential reference value as a function of the sum of said vehicle speed signal and said first predetermined constant value signal (F 2 ); a first detecting means, operatively coupled to said differentiating means and said first reference determination means, for detecting an excess slip condition and outputting an excess slip signal when said differential value of said slip rate is greater than said first differential reference value; a second reference determination means, operatively connected to said vehicle speed sensor means and to said setting circuit means, for generating a second differential reference value as a function of the sum of said vehicle speed signal and said second predetermined constant value signal (F 1 ); second detecting means, coupled to said differentiating means and said second reference determination means, for detecting a first slip condition and outputting a first slip signal when said differential value of said slip rate is greater than said second differential reference value; first generating means, operatively coupled to said vehicle speed sensor means and to said setting circuit means, for generating a first slip rate reference value which is the larger of two values, the first value being a function of said vehicle speed signal and said third predetermined constant value signal (C 1 ) and the second value being a function of said first constant level signal (V C1 ) and said vehicle speed signal; third detecting means, coupled to said first generating means and said slip rate calculating means, for detecting a second slip condition and outputting a second slip signal when said slip rate is greater than said first slip rate reference value; second generating means, operatively connected to said vehicle speed sensor means and said setting circuit means, for generating a second slip rate reference value which is the larger of two values, the first value being a function of said vehicle speed signal and said fourth predetermined constant value signal (C 2 ) and the second value being a function of said vehicle speed and said second constant level signal (V C2 ); fourth detecting means, operatively connected to said slip rate calculating means and said second generating means, for detecting an excess slip condition and outputting an excess slip signal when said slip rate signal is greater than said second slip rate reference value; and output means coupled to said first, second, third and fourth detecting means for providing a driving wheel slip control signal when at least one of (i) said first detecting means outputs an excess slip signal, (ii) said second and third detecting means both output said first and second slip signals, and (iii) said fourth detecting means outputs an excess slip signal.

Claim 20

A control system for controlling the slip of a driving wheel of a vehicle, said system comprising: driving wheel speed sensor means for sensing the speed of a driving wheel and for generating a driving wheel speed signal as a function thereof; vehicle speed sensor means for sensing the speed of the vehicle and for generating a vehicle speed signal as a function thereof; slip rate calculating means, coupled to said driving wheel speed sensor means and said vehicle speed sensor means for calculating the slip rate of the driving wheel with respect to the movement of said vehicle as a function of said driving wheel speed signal and said vehicle speed signal and for generating a slip rate signal in accordance therewith; differentiating means, coupled to said slip rate calculating means, for calculating the differential value (λ) of said slip rate; setting circuit means for generating a first predetermined constant value signal (F 2 ), a second predetermined constant value signal (F 1 ), a third predetermined constant value signal (C 1 ), a fourth predetermined constant value signal (C 2 ), a first constant level signal (V C1 ), and a second constant level signal (V C2 ); a first reference determination means, operatively connected to said vehicle speed sensor means and to said setting circuit means, for generating a first differential reference value as a function of the sum of said vehicle speed signal and said first predetermined constant value signal (F 2 ); a first detecting means, operatively coupled to said differentiating means and said first reference determination means, for detecting an excess slip condition and outputting an excess slip signal when said differential value of said slip rate is greater than said first differential reference value; a second reference determination means, operatively connected to said vehicle speed sensor means and to said setting circuit means, for generating a second differential reference value as a function of the sum of said vehicle speed signal and said second predetermined constant value signal (F 1 ); second detecting means, coupled to said differentiating means and said second reference determination means, for detecting a first slip condition and outputting a first slip signal when said differential value of said slip rate is greater than said second differential reference value; first generating means, operatively coupled to said vehicle speed sensor means and to said setting circuit means, for generating a first slip rate reference value which is the larger of two values, the first value being a function of said vehicle speed signal and said third predetermined constant value signal (C 1 ) and the second value being a function of said first constant level signal (V C1 ) and said vehicle speed signal; third detecting means, coupled to said first generating means and said slip rate calculating means, for detecting a second slip condition and outputting a second slip signal when said slip rate is greater than said first slip rate reference value; second generating means, operatively connected to said vehicle speed sensor means and said setting circuit means, for generating a second slip rate reference value which is the larger of two values, the first value being a function of said vehicle speed signal and said fourth predetermined constant value signal (C 2 ) and the second value being a function of said vehicle speed and said second constant level signal (V C2 ); fourth detecting means, operatively connected to said slip rate calculating means and said second generating means, for detecting an excess slip condition and outputting an excess slip signal when said slip rate signal is greater than said second slip rate reference value; and output means coupled to said first, second, third and fourth detecting means for providing a driving wheel slip control signal when at least one of (i) said first detecting means outputs an excess slip signal, (ii) said second and third detecting means both output said first and second slip signals, and (iii) said fourth detecting means outputs an excess slip signal.

Claim 21

The control system of claim 2, wherein said driving wheel speed sensor means includes a first selecting circuit means, being operatively connected to said vehicle speed sensor means, for generating said driving wheel speed signal.

Claim 22

The control system of claim 3, wherein said driving wheel speed sensor means includes a first selecting circuit means, being operatively connected to said vehicle speed sensor means, for generating said driving wheel speed signal.

Claim 23

The control system of claim 4, wherein said driving wheel speed sensor means includes a first selecting circuit means, being operatively connected to said vehicle speed sensor means, for generating said driving wheel speed signal.

Claim 24

The control system of claim 5, wherein said driving wheel speed sensor means includes a first selecting circuit means, being operatively connected to said vehicle speed sensor means, for generating said driving wheel speed signal.

Claim 25

The control system of claim 6, wherein said driving wheel speed sensor means includes a first selecting circuit means, being operatively connected to said vehicle speed sensor means, for generating said driving wheel speed signal.

Claim 26

The control system of claim 7, wherein said driving wheel speed sensor means includes a first selecting circuit means, being operatively connected to said vehicle speed sensor means, for generating said driving wheel speed signal.

Claim 27

The control system of claim 8, wherein said driving wheel speed sensor means includes a first selecting circuit means, being operatively connected to said vehicle speed sensor means, for generating said driving wheel speed signal.

Claim 28

The control system of claim 9, wherein said driving wheel speed sensor means includes a first selecting circuit means, being operatively connected to said vehicle speed sensor means, for generating said driving wheel speed signal.

Claim 29

The control system of claim 10, wherein said driving wheel speed sensor means includes a first selecting circuit means, being operatively connected to said vehicle speed sensor means, for generating said driving wheel speed signal.

Claim 30

The control system of any one of claims 11-19, wherein said first selecting circuit means selects the speed of only one of said driving wheels, on opposing sides of the vehicle, as said driving wheel speed signal.

Claim 31

The control system of claim 20, wherein when said vehicle speed is below a predetermined value, said first selecting circuit means selects the speed of the slower of said driving wheels as said driving wheel speed signal.

Claim 32

The control system of claim 20, wherein when said vehicle speed is above a predetermined value, said first selecting circuit means selects the speed of the faster of said driving wheels as said driving wheel speed signal.

Claim 33

The control system of claim 21, and wherein when said vehicle speed is above said predetermined value, said first selecting means selects the speed of the faster of said driving wheels as said driving wheel speed signal.

Claim 34

The control system of claim 23, wherein said predetermined value is determined by the average of two trailing wheel speeds sensed from two trailing wheels on opposing sides of said vehicle.

Claim 35

The control system of claim 23, wherein said vehicle speed signal includes two trailing wheel speed signals sensed from two trailing wheels disposed on opposing sides of said vehicle.

Claim 36

The control system of claim 25, including a second selecting circuit means, receiving said two trailing wheel speed signals from said vehicle speed sensor means and being operatively connected to said first selecting circuit means, for generating a selected vehicle speed signal as a function of said two trailing wheel speed signals.

Claim 37

The control system of claim 26, wherein said second selecting circuit means selects one of said two trailing wheel signals as said selected vehicle speed signal, said selected trailing wheel signal corresponding to the trailing wheel on the same side of said vehicle as said one selected driving wheel selected by said first selecting circuit means.

Claim 38

The control system of claim 23, including means for comparing the sensed speed of said driving wheels, and for generating an output signal as a function of a difference between said driving wheel speeds, when said difference exceeds a predetermined difference value and when said vehicle speed is below said predetermined value, and wherein said control means is also responsive to said output signal for controlling the slip of said driving wheel.

Claim 39

The control system of any one of claims 5, 7 and 9 wherein said setting circuit means further generates a first predetermined coefficient and wherein said function of the vehicle speed generated in said first generating means is the product of said vehicle speed and said first predetermined coefficient.

Claim 40

The control system of any one of claims 6, 8 and 10 wherein said setting circuit means further generates a predetermined operational constant (K 1 ); and said first generating means determines the first value λ R1 as follows: ##EQU14## where λ R1 is said first value.

Claim 41

The control system of any one of claims 7 and 8 wherein said setting circuit means further generates a second predetermined coefficient (K 2 ) and wherein said second generating means generates said first value as a function of the sum of said fourth predetermined constant value and the product of said second predetermined coefficient (K 2 ) and said vehicle speed signal.

Claim 42

The control system of claim 2, wherein said setting circuit means further generates a second predetermined coefficient (K 2 ) and wherein said generating means generates said first value as a function of the sum of said first predetermined constant value and the product of said second predetermined coefficient (K 2 ) and said vehicle speed signal.

Claim 43

The control system of any one of claims 9 and 10 wherein said setting circuit means generates a predetermined operational constant (K 2 ), and wherein said first value of said second generating means is ##EQU15## and where V is said vehicle speed signal.

Claim 44

The control system of claim 3, wherein said setting circuit means generates a predetermined operational constant (K 2 ), and wherein said first value of said generating means is ##EQU16## and where V is said vehicle speed signal.

Claim 45

The control system of any one of claims 1-10 wherein said output means is coupled to means for decreasing engine torque.

Claim 46

The control system of any one of claims 1-10 wherein said output means is coupled to means for cutting fuel supply to the engine.

Claim 47

The control system of any one of claims 1-10 further comprising clutch signal means for generating a clutch engaged signal when the clutch of said vehicle is engaged and means coupled to said clutch signal means and said output means for providing an output when both said clutch signal and said driving wheel slip control signal are applied thereto.

Claim 48

The control system of any one of claims 1-10 including means for generating a gear ratio signal, coupled to said setting circuit means, for controlling the output thereof as a function of the gear ratio of the vehicle.

Claim 49

The control system of claim 1, wherein said predetermined value is determined by the average of two trailing wheel speeds sensed from two trailing wheels on opposing sides of said vehicle.

Claim 50

The control system of claim 1, wherein said control means further is responsive to said vehicle speed from said vehicle speed sensor means.

Claim 51

The control system of claim 40, wherein said vehicle speed signal sensor means include two trailing wheel speed sensors from two trailing wheels on opposing sides of said vehicle.

Claim 52

The control system of claim 41, including a second selecting circuit means, receiving said two trailing wheel speed signals from said vehicle speed sensor means and being operatively connected to said first selecting circuit means, for generating a selecting vehicle speed signal as a function of said two trailing wheel speed signals.

Claim 53

The control system of claim 42, wherein said second selecting circuit means selects one of said two trailing wheel signals as said selected vehicle speed signal, said selected trailing wheel signal corresponding to the trailing wheel on the same side of said vehicle as said one selected driving wheel selected by said first selecting circuit means.

Claim 54

The control system of claim 4, including a setting circuit means for generating a first predetermined constant value signal (F 2 ), and wherein said reference determination means is also operatively connected to said setting circuit means, for generating said differential reference value as a function of the sum of said vehicle speed signal and said first predetermined constant value signal (F 2 ).

Claim 55

The control system of claim 5, wherein said reference determination means is also operatively connected to said vehicle speed sensor means, for generating said differential reference value as a function of the sum of said vehicle speed signal and said first predetermined constant value signal (F 4 ).