US4973294A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Limited-slip differential control system
Assignee: Nissan Motor Co Ltd
•
Filing: 1988-10-19
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Granted: 1990-11-27
•
Expires: 2008-10-19
Abstract
Abstract A control system for controlling a differential limiting force of a limited slip differential of a vehicle includes a section for sensing a turning radius of the vehicle, a section for sensing centripetal acceleration of the vehicle, and a controller section. The controller section increases an engagement force of a differential limiting clutch of the limited slip differential in accordance with the turning radius and the centripetal acceleration.
Inventors
- 👤 Yuji Kobari
- 👤 Takashi Imaseki
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 06:25
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60K; B60K23/00; B60K23/04; B62; B62D; B62D9/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
A differential limiting force control system comprising: clutch means disposed between right and left drive wheels of a vehicle for varying a differential limiting force between said right and left drive wheels in accordance with a control signal, sensor means for determining a turning radius of said vehicle and for determining a centripetal acceleration of said vehicle, and controller means for producing said control signal in accordance with signals sent from said sensor means, said controller means determining a command magnitude which increases as said turning radius increases, and which increases as said centripetal acceleration increases.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
96 words
A differential limiting force control system comprising: clutch means disposed between right and left drive wheels of a vehicle for varying a differential limiting force between said right and left drive wheels in accordance with a control signal, sensor means for determining a turning radius of said vehicle and for determining a centripetal acceleration of said vehicle, and controller means for producing said control signal in accordance with signals sent from said sensor means, said controller means determining a command magnitude which increases as said turning radius increases, and which increases as said centripetal acceleration increases.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
A control system according to claim 1 wherein said controller means comprises first function generating means for determining a first command signal whose magnitude increases as an absolute value of said centripetal acceleration increases, and second function generating means for producing a second command signal whose magnitude increases as said turning radius increases.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A control system according to claim 2 wherein said controller means further comprises adding means for generating said command magnitude by adding said first and second command signals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A control system according to claim 3 wherein said adding means determines an arithmetic sum of said magnitudes of said first and second command signals.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
A control system according to claim 3 wherein a magnitude of said first command signal is proportional to an absolute value of said centripetal acceleration, and a magnitude of said second command signal is proportional to said turning radius.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
84 words
A control system according to claim 5 wherein said sensor means comprises a front right wheel speed sensor sensing a front right wheel rotational speed, and a front left wheel speed sensor sensing a front left wheel rotational speed, first calculating means for calculating said centripetal acceleration utilizing said front right wheel rotational speed and said front left wheel rotational speed, and second calculating means for calculating said turning radius utilizing said front right wheel rotational speed and said front left wheel rotational speed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A control system according to claim 6 wherein said drive wheels include rear wheels of said vehicle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
A control system according to claim 1 wherein said command magnitude is represented by said control signal and said command magnitude assumes a plurality of values which comprise first, second and third distinct values.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A control system according to claim 1 wherein said controller means gradually increases said differential limiting force as turning radius increases, and as a centripetal acceleration increases.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-11-26 | 1994-05-28 | 1994-11-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-11-26 | 1998-05-28 | 1998-11-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-11-26 | 2002-05-28 | 2002-11-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |