US 4,353,272 AGranted

Apparatus for controlling the operation of the engine-transmission assembly of a motor vehicle

AssigneeRobert Bosch GmbH

InventorsErich Schneider, Helmut Fleischer, Helmut Rembold, Alexander Witte

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Abstract

The engine is controlled by sensing fuel pedal position, indicative of desire engine power. A characteristic transmission data field is used to select the appropriate gear or gear ratio. The engine is controlled on the basis of characteristic engine data or on the basis of an engine operating curve associated with minimum fuel consumption in dependence of the changes in engine speed due to the changing transmission ratio. In normal driving, the apparatus selects operation along the minimum fuel curve whereas during periods of increased power demand, the apparatus operates in dependence of characteristic engine data. Also proposed is apparatus which takes account of the operational vehicle status and effects the switchover from optimum fuel consumption to optimum power delivery with priority assigned to optimum fuel economy.

Claims22

Dependent claims

An apparatus for controlling an engine/transmission unit or drive train of a motor vehicle, including an operating member (10) for defining a power setpoint of the engine and at least one engine operation data storage means (13) containing characteristic power curves of said engine, the engine and the transmission being controlled by means of said at least one engine data storage means in dependence on the power setpoint in such a manner that optimum energy consumption of the engine results, comprising, according to the invention, a transmission data storage means (12) containing a characteristic transmission data field including optimum transmission i as a function of

(a) power setpoint P.sub.soll, to provide for power delivery under optimum conditions, and of
(b) the vehicle velocity v.sub.F to provide for optimum vehicle operation at the vehicle speed,
according to the relationship
i=F(P.sub.soll, v.sub.F);
a first control loop connected to set the transmission ratio in accordance with the power setpoint (P.sub.soll) on the basis of the transmission data field;
and a second control loop connected to set a fuel control .alpha.,
wherein the fuel input control .alpha. is related to engine operation in dependence on the resulting engine speed (n.sub.M) in accordance with the engine power curves contained in said engine operation data storage means (13) and which defines the engine power P as a function of engine speed (n.sub.M) and of fuel input control position .alpha. according to the relationship P=f(n.sub.M, .alpha.);
and wherein the control of the transmission ratio i by said first control loop for optimum operation of the drive train has priority over control by said second control loop.

5 more elements

An apparatus for controlling an engine/transmission unit or drive train of a motor vehicle, including an operating member for defining a power setpoint of the engine and at least one engine data storage containing characteristic power curves of said engine, the engine and the transmission being controlled by means of said at least one engine data storage in dependence on the power setpoint in such a manner that an optimum energy consumption of the engine is the result, comprising, according to the invention, a transmission data storage (12) containing a characteristic transmission data field including optimum transmission ratio i as a function of power setpoint P.sub.soll and of the vehicle velocity v.sub.F according to the relationship

i=f(P.sub.soll, v.sub.F);
a first control loop connected to and controlling the transmission ratio i of the transmission of the drive train in accordance with the power setpoint P.sub.soll on the basis of data in the transmission data field to provide for optimum vehicle operation at the vehicle speed;
and a second control loop whichsets a fuel control position .alpha., which is related to engine operation in dependence on the engine speed, said second control loop including
a first engine data storage containing engine operating curves (13') which relate a fuel control position .alpha. as a function of the power setpoint P.sub.soll and of the engine speed n.sub.M according to the relationship
.alpha.=f(P.sub.soll, n.sub.M) to relate optimum power at the pertaining engine speed;
a second engine data storage (13") containing engine operating data curves which relate a fuel control position .alpha. as a function of the power setpoint P.sub.soll according to the relationship
.alpha.=f(P.sub.soll) and valid for optimum fuel consumption of the engine (15);
a transfer switch (90) connected to selectively receive the output signals from the engine data storage means (13', 13") connected to actuate the fuel control of the internal combustion engine (15);
a program control unit (91) to select the signal transfer position of the transfer switch (90) in accordance with a selected operating mode of the vehicle;
and wherein the control of the transmission ratio by said first loop for optimum operation of the drive train has priority over control by said second control loop.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 06/185,914Filed 17 Nov 1979
Priority: DE 281157417 Mar 1978
Granted: 12 Oct 1982
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification18 codes

B60W 10/06
Including control of propulsion units: including control of combustion engines
B60W 10/04
Conjoint control of vehicle sub-units of different type or different function: including control of propulsion units
B60W 10/10
Conjoint control of vehicle sub-units of different type or different function: including control of change-speed gearings
B60W 30/1819
Propelling the vehicle: propulsion control with control means using analogue circuits, relays or mechanical links