Control device for an automotive vehicle having an antiskid brake system and differentials

A method of controlling a vehicle comprising:

• controlling an antiskid brake device by using an antiskid brake control device;
• and
• controlling a differential limiting device by using a differential control device;
• issuing a signal indicating failure of one component operatively associated with one of the antiskid brake control device or the differential control device such that the other control device receives a signal indicating the failure from the antiskid brake control device or the differential control device;
• controlling the control device experiencing a failure in the one component by using the other control device;
• controlling operation of a differential device based on a differential limiting device;
• and
• increasing a differential limit from an amount previously set following receipt of the signal indicating a failure.

A control device for an automotive vehicle comprising:

• an antiskid brake control device for controlling an antiskid brake device;
• and
• a differential control device for controlling a differential limiting device;
• wherein upon a failure of one component operatively associated with one of said antiskid brake control device or said differential control device, the other control device receives a signal indicating a failure from said antiskid brake control device or said differential control device, and then the other control device assumes control of the control device experiencing a failure in said one component, and
• wherein following receipt of the signal indicating a failure, the differential control device controls said differential limiting device so as to prohibit power from being transmitted to said differential device;
• and
• further comprising a plurality of differential devices, and wherein said differential control device controls said differential limiting device so as to release one differential device from a locked condition before it releases another differential device from a locked condition.

A method of controlling a vehicle comprising:

• controlling an antiskid brake device by using an antiskid brake control device;
• and
• controlling a differential limiting device by using a differential control device;
• issuing a signal indicating failure of one component operatively associated with one of the antiskid brake control device or the differential control device such that the other control device receives a signal indicating the failure from the antiskid brake control device or the differential control device;
• controlling the control device experiencing a failure in the one component by using the other control device;
• controlling the differential limiting device so as to prohibit power from being transmitted to the differential device following receipt of the signal indicating a failure;
• and
• controlling the differential limiting device so as to release the differential device from a locked condition before it releases a further differential device from a locked condition.