US5331934A — Spark timing control system for a vehicle-driving…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 164 words

A spark timing control system for reducing vehicle vibration, comprising: detection means for detecting at least one parameter of an engine; vehicle vibration detecting means for detecting a vibration of a vehicle in a longitudinal direction with respect to said vehicle; target vehicle vibration value calculating means for calculating a target vehicle vibration based on at least one of said detected vehicle vibration and at least of said detected engine parameters; error signal generating means for generating an error signal based on a comparison of said detected vehicle vibration to said target vehicle vibration; gain selecting means for selecting a gain based on at least one of said detected engine parameters, said gain representing a proportional amount by which said error signal influences spark timing control; control quantity setting means for determining a spark timing control quantity based on said error signal as modified by said selected gain; and spark timing control means for controlling said spark timing in accordance with said control quantity.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 164 words

A spark timing control system for reducing vehicle vibration, comprising: detection means for detecting at least one parameter of an engine; vehicle vibration detecting means for detecting a vibration of a vehicle in a longitudinal direction with respect to said vehicle; target vehicle vibration value calculating means for calculating a target vehicle vibration based on at least one of said detected vehicle vibration and at least of said detected engine parameters; error signal generating means for generating an error signal based on a comparison of said detected vehicle vibration to said target vehicle vibration; gain selecting means for selecting a gain based on at least one of said detected engine parameters, said gain representing a proportional amount by which said error signal influences spark timing control; control quantity setting means for determining a spark timing control quantity based on said error signal as modified by said selected gain; and spark timing control means for controlling said spark timing in accordance with said control quantity.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 36 words

The spark timing control system of claim 1, wherein said detecting means comprises engine speed detecting means for detecting a rotational speed of the engine, and load detecting means for detecting a load on the engine.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 23 words

The spark timing control system of claim 1, wherein said gain selecting means selects said gain in response to said detected vehicle vibration.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 43 words

The spark timing system of claim 1, wherein said detection means includes means for detecting a gear shift position of a power transmission of the vehicle, and wherein said gain selecting means selects said gain in response to said detected gear shift position.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 64 words

The spark timing control system of claim 1, further comprising a composite filter for removing noise from a detection signal output from said vehicle vibration detecting means, and means for feeding said detection signal from said vehicle vibration detecting means to said error signal generating means via said composite filter, said composite filter having a combination of a delay element and a lead element.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 34 words

The spark timing control system of claim 1, further comprising means for correcting sid control quantity set by said control quantity setting means in response to at least one of said detected engine parameters.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 35 words

The spark timing control system of claim 1, further comprising means for disabling said spark timing control means from controlling spark timing in accordance with said control quantity in response to said detected vehicle vibration.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 35 words

The spark timing control system of claim 1, further comprising means for disabling said spark timing control means from controlling spark timing in accordance with said control quantity in response to said target vehicle vibration.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 55 words

The spark timing control system of claim 1, further comprising means for setting an upper limit of said control quantity on the basis of at least one of said detected engine parameters, and means for, in cases where said control quantity is greater than said upper limit, updating said control quantity to said upper limit.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 71 words

The spark timing control system of claim 1, wherein said target vehicle vibration value calculating means comprises means for calculating a base torque of said engine on the basis of at least one of said detected engine parameters, and means for generating said target vehicle vibration value on the basis of said calculated base torque, a weight of the vehicle, and a gear ratio of a power transmission of the vehicle.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 109 words

The spark timing control system of claim 10, wherein said error signal generating means comprises means for calculating a value of an integral of a difference between said target vehicle vibration and said detected vehicle vibration, and said control quantity setting means comprising means for calculating a control torque on the basis of said calculated integral value and said vehicle vibration, means for calculating a torque generation rate on the basis of said calculated control torque and said base torque, and mean for generating a retardation quantity of the spark timing on the basis of said calculated torque generation rate and at least one of said detected engine parameters.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 35 words

The spark timing control system of claim 1, wherein said control quantity setting means determines said control quantity based on said error signal as modified by said selected gain and a previously detected vehicle vibration.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 78 words

The spark timing control system of claim 12, wherein said gain selecting means selects a second gain based on at least one of said detected engine parameters, said gain representing a proportional amount by which a previously detected vehicle vibration influences spark timing control; and said control quantity setting means determines said control quantity based on said error signal as modified by said selected gain and a previously detected vehicle vibration as modified by said second selected gain.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 93 words

The spark timing control system of claim 12, wherein said gain selecting means selects a second gain and a third gain based on at least one of said detected engine parameters, said second gain and said third gain respectively representing a proportional amount by which a previously detected vehicle vibration and previously determined control quantity influence spark timing control; and said control quantity setting means determines said control quantity based on the error signal as modified by said selected gain and said previously determined control quantity as modified by said second selected gain.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 106 words

The spark timing control system of claim 12, wherein said gain selecting means selects a second gain and a third gain based on at least one of said detected engine parameters, said second gain and said third gain respectively representing a proportional amount by which a previously detected vehicle vibration and a previously determined control quantity influence spark timing control; and said control quantity setting means determines said control quantity based on said error signal as modified by said selected gain, said previously detected vehicle vibration as modified by said second selected gain, and said previously determined control quantity as modified by said third selected gain.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 37 words

The spark timing control system of claim 1, wherein said control quantity setting means determines said control quantity based on said error signal as modified by said selected gain and at least one previously determined control quantity.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 42 words

The spark timing control system of claim 1, wherein said control quantity setting means determines said control quantity based on said error signal as modified by said selected gain, a previously detected vehicle vibration, and at least one previously determined control quantity.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 139 words

A spark timing control system for reducing vehicle vibration, comprising: detection means for detecting at least one parameter of an engine; vehicle vibration detecting means for detecting a vibration of a vehicle in a longitudinal direction with respect to said vehicle; target vehicle vibration value calculating means for calculating a variable target vehicle vibration based on at least one of said detected vehicle vibration and at least one of said detected engine parameters; error signal generating means for generating an error signal based on a comparison of said detected vehicle vibration to said target vehicle vibration; control quantity setting means for determining a spark timing control quantity based on said error signal; and spark timing control means for controlling said spark timing in accordance with said control quantity so that said detected vehicle vibration follows said target vehicle vibration.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 139 words

A spark timing control system for reducing vehicle vibration, comprising: detection means for detecting at least one parameter of an engine; vehicle vibration detecting means for detecting a vibration of a vehicle in a longitudinal direction with respect to said vehicle; target vehicle vibration value calculating means for calculating a variable target vehicle vibration based on at least one of said detected vehicle vibration and at least one of said detected engine parameters; error signal generating means for generating an error signal based on a comparison of said detected vehicle vibration to said target vehicle vibration; control quantity setting means for determining a spark timing control quantity based on said error signal; and spark timing control means for controlling said spark timing in accordance with said control quantity so that said detected vehicle vibration follows said target vehicle vibration.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 71 words

The spark timing control system of claim 18, wherein said target vehicle vibration value calculating means comprises means for calculating a base torque of said engine on the basis of at least one of said detected engine parameters, and means for generating said target vehicle vibration value on the basis of said calculated base torque, a weight of the vehicle, and a gear ratio of a power transmission of said vehicle.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 110 words

The spark timing control system of claim 19, wherein said error signal generating means comprises means for calculating a value of an integral of a difference between said target vehicle vibration and said detected vehicle vibration, and said control quantity setting means comprising means for calculating a control torque on the basis of said calculated integral value and said detected vehicle vibration, means for calculating a torque generation rate on the basis of said calculated control torque and said base torque, and means for generating a retardation quantity of basis spark timing on said basis of the calculated torque generation rate and at least one of said detected engine parameters.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 29 words

The spark timing control system of claim 18, wherein said control quantity setting means determines said control quantity based on said error signal and a previously detected vehicle vibration.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 31 words

The spark timing control system of claim 18, wherein said control quantity setting means determines said control quantity based on said error signal and at least one previously determined control quantity.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 36 words

The spark timing control system of claim 18, wherein said control quantity setting means determines said control quantity based on said error signal, a previously detected vehicle vibration, and at least one previously determined control quantity.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 115 words

A spark timing control system, comprising: detecting means for detecting at least one parameter of an engine; means for detecting an actual acceleration of a vehicle; means for calculating a variable target acceleration of said vehicle based on at least one of said actual acceleration and at least one of said detected engine parameters; error signal generating means for generating an error signal based on a comparison of said detected actual acceleration to said target acceleration; control quantity setting means for determining a spark timing control quantity based on said error signal; and spark timing control means for controlling spark timing in accordance with said control quantity so that actual acceleration follows said target acceleration.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 115 words

A spark timing control system, comprising: detecting means for detecting at least one parameter of an engine; means for detecting an actual acceleration of a vehicle; means for calculating a variable target acceleration of said vehicle based on at least one of said actual acceleration and at least one of said detected engine parameters; error signal generating means for generating an error signal based on a comparison of said detected actual acceleration to said target acceleration; control quantity setting means for determining a spark timing control quantity based on said error signal; and spark timing control means for controlling spark timing in accordance with said control quantity so that actual acceleration follows said target acceleration.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 29 words

The spark timing control system of claim 24, wherein said control quantity setting means determines said control quantity based on said error signal and a previously detected actual acceleration.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 31 words

The spark timing control system of claim 24, wherein said control quantity setting means determines said control quantity based on said error signal and at least one previously determined control quantity.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 36 words

The spark timing control system of claim 24, wherein said control quantity setting means determines said control quantity based on said error signal, a previously detected actual acceleration, and at least one previously determined control quantity.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 164 words

An engine torque control system for reducing vehicle vibration, comprising: detection means for detecting a least one parameter on an engine; vehicle vibration detecting means for detecting a vibration of a vehicle in a longitudinal direction with respect to said vehicle; target vehicle vibration value calculating means for calculating a target vehicle vibration based on at least one of said detected vehicle vibration and at least one of said detected engine parameters; error signal generating mean for generating an error signal based on a comparison of said detected vehicle vibration to said target vehicle vibration; gain selecting means for selecting a gain based on at least one of said detected engine parameters, said gain representing a proportional amount by which said error signal influences spark timing control; control quantity setting means for determining a torque control quantity based on said error signal as modified by said selected gain; and torque control means for controlling said engine torque in accordance with said torque control quantity.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 164 words

An engine torque control system for reducing vehicle vibration, comprising: detection means for detecting a least one parameter on an engine; vehicle vibration detecting means for detecting a vibration of a vehicle in a longitudinal direction with respect to said vehicle; target vehicle vibration value calculating means for calculating a target vehicle vibration based on at least one of said detected vehicle vibration and at least one of said detected engine parameters; error signal generating mean for generating an error signal based on a comparison of said detected vehicle vibration to said target vehicle vibration; gain selecting means for selecting a gain based on at least one of said detected engine parameters, said gain representing a proportional amount by which said error signal influences spark timing control; control quantity setting means for determining a torque control quantity based on said error signal as modified by said selected gain; and torque control means for controlling said engine torque in accordance with said torque control quantity.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 138 words

A torque control system for reducing vehicle vibration, comprising: detection means for detecting at least one parameter of an engine; vehicle vibration detecting means for detecting a vibration of a vehicle in a longitudinal direction with respect to said vehicle; target vehicle vibration value calculating means for calculating a variable target vehicle vibration based on at least one of said detected vehicle vibration and at least one of said detected engine parameters; error signal generating means for generating an error signal based on a comparison of said detected vehicle vibration to said target vehicle vibration; control quantity setting means for determining a torque control quantity based on said error signal; and torque control means for controlling the engine torque in accordance with said torque control quantity so that said detected engine vehicle vibration follows said target vehicle vibration.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 138 words

A torque control system for reducing vehicle vibration, comprising: detection means for detecting at least one parameter of an engine; vehicle vibration detecting means for detecting a vibration of a vehicle in a longitudinal direction with respect to said vehicle; target vehicle vibration value calculating means for calculating a variable target vehicle vibration based on at least one of said detected vehicle vibration and at least one of said detected engine parameters; error signal generating means for generating an error signal based on a comparison of said detected vehicle vibration to said target vehicle vibration; control quantity setting means for determining a torque control quantity based on said error signal; and torque control means for controlling the engine torque in accordance with said torque control quantity so that said detected engine vehicle vibration follows said target vehicle vibration.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 116 words

A torque control system for reducing vehicle vibration, comprising: detecting means for detecting at least one parameter of an engine; means for detecting an actual acceleration of a vehicle; means for calculating a target acceleration of said vehicle based on at least one of said actual acceleration and at least one of said detected engine parameters; error signal generating means for generating an error signal based on a comparison of said actual acceleration to said target acceleration; control quantity setting means for determining a torque control quantity based on said error signal; and torque control means for controlling engine torque in accordance with said torque control quantity so that said actual acceleration follows said target acceleration.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 116 words

A torque control system for reducing vehicle vibration, comprising: detecting means for detecting at least one parameter of an engine; means for detecting an actual acceleration of a vehicle; means for calculating a target acceleration of said vehicle based on at least one of said actual acceleration and at least one of said detected engine parameters; error signal generating means for generating an error signal based on a comparison of said actual acceleration to said target acceleration; control quantity setting means for determining a torque control quantity based on said error signal; and torque control means for controlling engine torque in accordance with said torque control quantity so that said actual acceleration follows said target acceleration.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 112 words

A spark timing control system for reducing vehicle vibration, comprising: detection means for detecting at least one engine parameter; vehicle vibration detecting means for detecting a vibration of a vehicle in a longitudinal direction with respect to said vehicle; gain selecting means for selecting a gain based on at least one of said detected engine parameters, said gain representing a proportional amount by which said detected vehicle vibration influences spark timing control; control quantity setting means for determining a spark timing control quantity based on said detected vehicle vibration as modified by said selected gain; and spark timing control means for controlling spark timing in accordance with said spark timing control quantity.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 112 words

A spark timing control system for reducing vehicle vibration, comprising: detection means for detecting at least one engine parameter; vehicle vibration detecting means for detecting a vibration of a vehicle in a longitudinal direction with respect to said vehicle; gain selecting means for selecting a gain based on at least one of said detected engine parameters, said gain representing a proportional amount by which said detected vehicle vibration influences spark timing control; control quantity setting means for determining a spark timing control quantity based on said detected vehicle vibration as modified by said selected gain; and spark timing control means for controlling spark timing in accordance with said spark timing control quantity.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 106 words

A spark timing control system for reducing vehicle vibration, comprising: detection means for detecting at least one parameter of an engine; vehicle vibration detecting means for detecting a vibration of a vehicle in a longitudinal direction with respect to said vehicle; target vehicle vibration value calculating means for calculating a variable target vehicle vibration based on at least one of said detected vehicle vibration and at least one of said detected engine parameters; and spark timing control means for controlling spark timing in accordance with said detected vehicle vibration and said variable target vehicle vibration so that said detected vehicle vibration follows said target vehicle vibration.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 106 words

A spark timing control system for reducing vehicle vibration, comprising: detection means for detecting at least one parameter of an engine; vehicle vibration detecting means for detecting a vibration of a vehicle in a longitudinal direction with respect to said vehicle; target vehicle vibration value calculating means for calculating a variable target vehicle vibration based on at least one of said detected vehicle vibration and at least one of said detected engine parameters; and spark timing control means for controlling spark timing in accordance with said detected vehicle vibration and said variable target vehicle vibration so that said detected vehicle vibration follows said target vehicle vibration.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 83 words

A spark timing control system, comprising: detecting means for detecting at least one parameter of an engine; means for detecting an actual acceleration of a vehicle; means for calculating a variable target acceleration of said vehicle based on at least one of said actual acceleration and at least one of said detected engine parameters; and spark timing control means for controlling spark timing in accordance with said actual acceleration and said variable target acceleration so that said actual acceleration follows said target acceleration.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 83 words

A spark timing control system, comprising: detecting means for detecting at least one parameter of an engine; means for detecting an actual acceleration of a vehicle; means for calculating a variable target acceleration of said vehicle based on at least one of said actual acceleration and at least one of said detected engine parameters; and spark timing control means for controlling spark timing in accordance with said actual acceleration and said variable target acceleration so that said actual acceleration follows said target acceleration.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 108 words

A torque control system for reducing vehicle vibration, comprising: detecting means for detecting at least one engine parameter; vehicle vibration detecting means for detecting a vibration of a vehicle in a longitudinal direction with respect to said vehicle; gain selecting means for selecting a gain based on at least one of said detected engine parameters, said gain representing a proportional amount by which said detected vehicle vibration influences spark timing control; control quantity setting means for determining a torque control quantity based on said detected vehicle vibration as modified by said selected gain; and torque control means for controlling engine torque in accordance with said torque control quantity.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 108 words

A torque control system for reducing vehicle vibration, comprising: detecting means for detecting at least one engine parameter; vehicle vibration detecting means for detecting a vibration of a vehicle in a longitudinal direction with respect to said vehicle; gain selecting means for selecting a gain based on at least one of said detected engine parameters, said gain representing a proportional amount by which said detected vehicle vibration influences spark timing control; control quantity setting means for determining a torque control quantity based on said detected vehicle vibration as modified by said selected gain; and torque control means for controlling engine torque in accordance with said torque control quantity.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 104 words

A torque control system for reducing vehicle vibration, comprising: detection means for detecting at least one parameter of an engine; vehicle vibration detecting means for detecting a vibration of a vehicle in a longitudinal direction with respect to said vehicle; target vehicle vibration value calculating means for calculating a variable target vehicle vibration based on at least one of said detected vehicle vibration and at least one of said detected engine parameters; and torque control means for controlling engine torque in accordance with said detected vehicle vibration and said variable target vehicle vibration so that said detected vehicle vibration follows said target vehicle vibration.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 104 words

A torque control system for reducing vehicle vibration, comprising: detection means for detecting at least one parameter of an engine; vehicle vibration detecting means for detecting a vibration of a vehicle in a longitudinal direction with respect to said vehicle; target vehicle vibration value calculating means for calculating a variable target vehicle vibration based on at least one of said detected vehicle vibration and at least one of said detected engine parameters; and torque control means for controlling engine torque in accordance with said detected vehicle vibration and said variable target vehicle vibration so that said detected vehicle vibration follows said target vehicle vibration.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 81 words

A torque control system, comprising: detecting means for detecting at least one parameter of an engine; means for detecting an actual acceleration of a vehicle; means for calculating a variable target acceleration of said vehicle based on at least one of said actual acceleration and at least one of said detected engine parameters; and torque control means for controlling engine torque in accordance with said actual acceleration and said variable target acceleration so that said actual acceleration follows said target acceleration.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 81 words

A torque control system, comprising: detecting means for detecting at least one parameter of an engine; means for detecting an actual acceleration of a vehicle; means for calculating a variable target acceleration of said vehicle based on at least one of said actual acceleration and at least one of said detected engine parameters; and torque control means for controlling engine torque in accordance with said actual acceleration and said variable target acceleration so that said actual acceleration follows said target acceleration.

Claim 49

Independent Claim 162 words

A system for controlling a vehicle driven by a spark-ignition engine, the system comprising: detecting means for detecting at least one parameter of an engine; means for detecting an actual acceleration of a vehicle; means for determining a target acceleration of said vehicle based on at least one of said detected actual acceleration and at least one of said detected engine parameters; means for determining a first calculation component of a desired spark timing in response to said detected signal acceleration; means for determining a second calculation component of said desired spark timing in response to a previous desired spark timing; means for determining a third calculation component of said desired spark timing in response to a difference between said detected actual acceleration and said determined target acceleration; means for determining said desired spark timing based on said first, second, and third calculation components; and means for controlling an actual spark timing of said engine in accordance with said desired spark timing.

Claim 50

Independent Claim 162 words

A system for controlling a vehicle driven by a spark-ignition engine, the system comprising: detecting means for detecting at least one parameter of an engine; means for detecting an actual acceleration of a vehicle; means for determining a target acceleration of said vehicle based on at least one of said detected actual acceleration and at least one of said detected engine parameters; means for determining a first calculation component of a desired spark timing in response to said detected signal acceleration; means for determining a second calculation component of said desired spark timing in response to a previous desired spark timing; means for determining a third calculation component of said desired spark timing in response to a difference between said detected actual acceleration and said determined target acceleration; means for determining said desired spark timing based on said first, second, and third calculation components; and means for controlling an actual spark timing of said engine in accordance with said desired spark timing.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1997-07-25	1998-01-24	1998-07-26	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2001-07-25	2002-01-24	2002-07-26	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2005-07-25	2006-01-24	2006-07-26	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Spark timing control system for a vehicle-driving internal combustion engine

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