Vehicular performance control system and method, and vehicle incorporating same

A performance control system for use in a hybrid vehicle,

• wherein the hybrid vehicle comprises an accelerator, a power unit, and a drive wheel operatively connected to the power unit,
• wherein the power unit comprises an internal combustion engine, an electric motor, and a battery,
• wherein the engine comprises an intake pipe and a throttle valve mounted within the intake pipe,
• wherein the electric motor is adapted to supply power to the drive wheel, based on power received from the battery, and wherein
• the performance control system comprises:
• an accelerator position sensor for detecting a position of the accelerator;
• an electronically controlled throttle adjuster for adjusting the opening of the throttle valve, wherein the throttle adjuster is capable of setting the throttle valve at an applied opening;
• and
• a controller for controlling the operation of the throttle adjuster to vary the applied opening based on the output of the accelerator position sensor;
• and
• wherein during vehicle operation, when at least one speed parameter, selected from engine speed and vehicle speed, reaches a maximum allowed value, the throttle valve opening is automatically reduced from the applied opening thereof immediately preceding the reaching of said maximum allowed value, based on the sensed position of the accelerator.

A method of regulating performance of an engine in a vehicle, said method comprising the steps of:

• monitoring engine speed using an engine speed sensor, where sensed engine speed constitutes a first speed parameter,
• comparing the sensed engine speed to a first programmed value;
• monitoring speed of the vehicle using a vehicle speed sensor, where sensed vehicle speed constitutes a second speed parameter;
• comparing the sensed vehicle speed to a second programmed value;
• monitoring a position of an accelerator using an accelerator position sensor;
• an accelerator position sensor for detecting a position of the accelerator;
• adjusting an opening of a throttle valve on said engine using an electronically controlled throttle adjuster, wherein the throttle adjuster is capable of setting the throttle valve at an applied opening;
• and
• controlling operation of the throttle adjuster to vary the applied opening based on an output from the accelerator position sensor, and
• reducing the applied opening of a throttle valve from the applied opening immediately preceding the reaching of said maximum allowed value, based on the sensed position of the accelerator, when a selected speed parameter matches or exceeds its respective programmed value.

A vehicle, comprising an internal combustion engine, an accelerator, and a performance control system adapted to regulate the performance of the engine to ensure that at least one speed parameter, selected from engine speed and vehicle speed, does not exceed a maximum allowed value for that speed parameter,

• wherein the engine comprises an intake pipe and a throttle valve mounted within the intake pipe,
• said performance control system comprising:
• an accelerator position sensor for detecting a position of the accelerator;
• an electronically controlled throttle adjuster for adjusting an opening of the throttle valve, wherein the throttle adjuster is capable of setting the throttle valve at an applied opening;
• and
• a controller for controlling operation of the throttle adjuster to vary the applied opening based on an output from the accelerator position sensor, wherein the system is configured such that
• during vehicle operation, when the selected speed parameter reaches its maximum allowed value, the throttle valve opening is automatically reduced from the applied opening thereof immediately preceding the reaching of said maximum allowed value, based on the sensed position of the accelerator.