Power distribution control method and apparatus for four-wheel drive vehicle

A power distribution control apparatus for a four-wheel drive vehicle, wherein the vehicle has front wheels and rear wheels driven by torque supplied by an engine, wherein the vehicle has a coupling for changing torque distribution to the front wheels and the rear wheels, the apparatus comprising:

• a vehicle speed detecting device for detecting a speed of the vehicle;
• a throttle opening degree sensor for detecting a throttle opening degree, which is the opening degree of a throttle valve located in the engine;
• and
• a controller for controlling the coupling in accordance with a torque distribution mode selected from a normal mode and a secondary mode, wherein the controller determines whether engine braking is being applied based on the detected vehicle speed and the detected throttle opening degree, wherein, when determining that engine braking is being applied, the controller temporarily changes the torque distribution mode from the normal mode to the secondary mode, wherein the torque distribution to the front wheels and the rear wheels is more equalized in the secondary mode than that immediately before the torque distribution mode is changed to the secondary mode.