US 5,394,954 AGranted

Engine control apparatus

AssigneeToyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha

InventorsKenji Tashiro, Kimitoshi Murata, Akito Adachi

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Abstract

An engine control apparatus includes a first intake valve and a second intake valve provided along an intake passage. First and second actuators drive the respective throttle valves. A setting unit sets a vehicle target speed in the constant cruising speed control mode. A first control unit controls the first actuator so as to maintain the actual vehicle speed at the target speed during the constant cruising speed control mode. An angle sensor detects the angle of the first throttle valve. A mode memory stores information about a plurality of control modes to be used in controlling the second throttle valve. A mode selector selects one of the control modes. Each control mode stored in the mode memory defines the target angle of the second throttle valve that depends on the angle of the first throttle valve. In accordance with the control mode selected by the mode selector, a second control unit controls the second actuator in such a way that the angle of the second throttle valve becomes the target angle determined in accordance with the first throttle valve angle. The control apparatus includes a regulator unit for regulating the first and/or the second control units, so as to control the first throttle valve in accordance with the control mode specified for the constant cruising speed control mode, while the constant speed control mode is in progress.

Claims11

Dependent claims

A control apparatus for use in a vehicle, to control a constant cruising speed of the vehicle, the vehicle including an engine provided with an intake passage and a driver-controlled accelerator mechanism, the control apparatus comprising:

first valve means provided along the intake passage and forming a first variable angle therewith, said first angle being changeable by means of the accelerator mechanism;
second valve means provided in series with said first valve means along the intake passage, the second valve means forming a second variable angle with the intake passage;
first actuator means for controlling said first angle independently of the accelerator mechanism;
second actuator means for controlling said second angle;
speed sensing means for detecting the actual vehicle speed;
cruise control sensing means for detecting the beginning and end of a constant cruising speed control mode;
target speed setting means for setting a vehicle target speed during said constant cruising speed control mode;
control means for controlling said first actuator means to maintain the actual vehicle speed at said target speed during said constant cruising speed control mode;
angle sensing means for detecting said first angle;
mode storage means for storing information relating to a plurality of control modes for use in controlling said second valve means, each of said control modes defining a target value for said second angle as a function of said first angle;
mode selecting means for selecting one of said control modes;
said control means further controlling said second actuator means to cause said second angle to reach said target value according to the selected control mode;
and
regulator means for regulating said control means during said constant cruising speed control mode, in order to control said first valve means according to a control mode which is specified for said constant cruising speed control mode and which is selected from said stored control modes.

11 more elements

first valve means provided along the intake passage and forming a first variable angle therewith, said first angle being changeable by means of the accelerator mechanism;
second valve means provided in series with said first valve means along the intake passage, the second valve means forming a second variable angle with the intake passage;
first actuator means for controlling said first angle independently of the accelerator mechanism;
second actuator means for controlling said second angle;
speed sensing means for detecting the actual vehicle speed;
cruise control sensing means for detecting the beginning and end of a constant cruising speed control mode;
target speed setting means for setting a vehicle target speed during said constant cruising speed control mode;
first control means for controlling said first actuator means to maintain the actual vehicle speed at said target speed during said constant cruising speed control mode;
angle sensing means for detecting said first angle;
mode storage means for storing information relating to a plurality of control modes for use in controlling said second valve means, each of said control modes defining a target value for said second angle as a function of said first angle;
mode selecting means for selecting one of said control modes;
second control means for controlling said second actuator means to cause said second angle to reach said target value according to the selected control mode;
over-ride detecting means for detecting an over-riding condition wherein said first angle according to the accelerator mechanism exceeds said first angle according to said first actuator means, during said constant cruising speed control mode;
and
mode changing means for changing said control mode to be followed by said second control means during said constant cruising speed control mode, whereby when said cruise control sensing means detects the beginning of said constant cruising speed control mode, said mode changing means changes said control mode to be followed by said second control means to said control mode specified for said constant cruising speed control mode, and whereby when said over-ride detecting means detects said over-riding condition, said mode changing mode sets said control mode to be followed by said second control means to said control mode which is selected by said mode selecting means.

12 more elements

first valve means provided along the intake passage and forming a first variable angle therewith, said first angle being changeable by means of the accelerator mechanism;
second valve means provided in series with said first valve means along the intake passage, the second valve means forming a second variable angle with the intake passage;
first actuator means for controlling said first angle independently of the accelerator mechanism;
second actuator means for controlling said second angle;
speed sensing means for detecting the actual vehicle speed;
cruise control sensing means for detecting the beginning and end of a constant cruising speed control mode;
target speed setting means for setting a vehicle target speed during said constant cruising speed control mode;
first control means for controlling said first actuator means to maintain the actual vehicle speed at said target speed during said constant cruising speed control mode;
angle sensing means for detecting said first angle;
mode storage means for storing information relating to a plurality of control modes for use in controlling said second valve means, each of said control modes defining a target value for said second angle as a function of said first angle;
mode selecting means for selecting one of said control modes;
second control means for controlling said second actuator means to cause said second angle to reach said target value according to the selected control mode;
regulator means for regulating said first control means during said constant cruising speed control mode in order to control said first valve means in accordance with said selected control mode selecting means when said cruise control sensing means detects the beginning of said constant cruising speed control mode.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.