US 5,369,584 AGranted

Control apparatus for a vehicle

AssigneeMitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha

InventorYasuya Kajiwara

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Abstract

The output signals of sensors, which sense the operations of the driver of a vehicle, are input to a central control unit which determines, based thereon, the operating conditions of the driver and generates, as a result of such determination, instruction signals to a power controller for controlling an engine, a transmission, etc., and a drive controller for controlling a steering system, a suspension system, a brake system, an air conditioner, etc., in a comprehensive way. The controllers are also directly connected to the sensors so that they can control the corresponding control means independently of the central control unit. The controllers generate instruction signals to the corresponding control means, which are sub-systems of the total system, so that actuators provided on the respective control means are thereby controlled to operate in conjunction with all the control means through the intermediary of the respective controllers, while priority is given to an instruction from the central control unit. The control means are each provided with sensors in addition to an actuator so that if there is a fault in the data transmission line between the central control unit and the respective control means, the individual control means can properly control the corresponding actuators based on the output signals of the corresponding sensors provided thereon so as to ensure continued travel of the vehicle.

Claims10

Dependent claims

A control apparatus for a vehicle having a power system including at least an engine and a transmission, and a drive system including at least a steering system, a suspension system, a brake system, and an air conditioner, said control apparatus comprising:

a plurality of sensors, including first and second groups of sensors, for sensing various operating conditions of the vehicle;
a central control unit for determining, based on output signals of at least the first group of said sensors, operating conditions of the vehicle and for selectively controlling an overall operation of the vehicle including the power and drive systems;
a first subcontroller, responsive to said central control unit and at least one sensor from the second group of said sensors, for continuously and independently controlling the power system of the vehicle in accordance with at least one of an output of said central control unit and said one sensor from the second group of sensors;
a second subcontroller, responsive to said control unit and at least one sensor from the second group of said sensors, for continuously and independently controlling the drive system of the vehicle in accordance with at least one of an output of said central control unit and said one sensor from the second group of sensors;
first control means, connected to said first subcontroller, for respectively controlling individual components of the power system including the engine and transmission;
and
second control means, connected to said second subcontroller, for respectively controlling individual components of the drive system including the steering system, suspension system, brake system, and air conditioner, wherein said central controller selectively controls said first and second subcontrollers for actively controlling the power and drive systems, respectively.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/083,490Filed 30 Jun 1993 · continuation
Priority: JP 1-3176388 Dec 1989
Granted: 29 Nov 1994
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification17 codes

B60W 50/00
Details of control systems for road vehicle drive control not related to
B60G 17/0195
The regulating means comprising electric or electronic elements: characterised by the regulation being combined with other vehicle control systems
B60R 16/0315
For supply of electrical power to vehicle subsystems or for: using multiplexing techniques
B60T 8/885
With failure responsive means, i.e. means for detecting and indicating faulty operation of the speed responsive control means: using electrical…