IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,499,787
Granted Patent B2
US 7,499,787 · App. 10/961,452 · Granted Mar 3, 2009

Traction control system and method for a vehicle

Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,499,787
App. No.
10/961,452
Granted
Mar 3, 2009
Kind
B2
Abstract

In one example, A method for controlling a powertrain of a vehicle with wheels, the vehicle having a pedal actuated by a driver, is described. The method may include generating powertrain torque transmitted to the wheels in a first relation to actuation of the pedal by the driver during a first condition where said transmitted torque causes said wheels to slip relative to a surface; overriding said driver actuated powertrain torque to control said slip; and during a second condition after said first condition where said vehicle is moving less than a threshold, generating powertrain torque transmitted to the wheels in a second relation to actuation of the pedal by the driver, where for a given pedal position, less powertrain torque is transmitted with said second relation compared to said first relation.

Claims (22)

1. A method for controlling a powertrain of a vehicle with wheels, the vehicle having a pedal actuated by a driver, the method comprising:

generating powertrain torque transmitted to the wheels in a first relation to actuation of the pedal by the driver during a first condition where said transmitted torque causes said wheels to slip relative to a surface;

overriding said driver actuated powertrain torque to control said slip; and

during a second condition after said first condition where said vehicle is moving less than a threshold, generating powertrain torque transmitted to the wheels in a second relation to actuation of the pedal by the driver and via direct control by the driver actuated powertrain torque, without active slip control, where for a given pedal position, less powertrain torque is transmitted with said second relation compared to said first relation.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said second condition includes said vehicle substantially in a non-moving condition.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said second condition includes said vehicle substantially in said non-moving condition for a duration.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said second condition is in response to said slip.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said second condition is in response to a release of said pedal.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said second relation is based on said first relation and an estimated friction amount during said slip.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein said second relation is set to provide substantially a maximum possible torque that may be transmitted for current road conditions at substantially full pedal engagement.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein during said first condition, powertrain torque is reduced based on said slip.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein said second condition is in response to actuation of a brake pedal.

10. A method for controlling a powertrain of a vehicle with wheels, the vehicle having a pedal actuated by a driver, the method comprising:

generating powertrain torque transmitted to the wheels in a first relation to actuation of the pedal by the driver during a first condition where said transmitted torque causes said wheels to slip relative to a surface;

overriding said driver actuated powertrain torque to control and reduce said slip; and

during a second condition after said first condition where said vehicle is moving less than a threshold and the driver has released the pedal, generating powertrain torque transmitted to the wheels in a second relation to actuation of the pedal by the driver via direct control by the driver actuated powertrain torque, without active slip control, where for a given pedal position, less powertrain torque is transmitted with said second relation compared to said first relation.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein said second condition includes said vehicle substantially in a non-moving condition.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein said second condition includes said vehicle substantially in said non-moving condition for a time duration.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein said second relation is based on said first relation and an estimated friction amount during said slip, and said second relation is set to provide substantially a maximum possible torque that may be transmitted for current road conditions at substantially full pedal engagement.

14. The method of claim 10 wherein during said first condition, powertrain torque is reduced based on said slip via reduction in engine torque by at least one of reducing a throttle plate angle and retarding ignition timing.

15. The method of claim 10 wherein said second condition is in response to actuation of a brake pedal.

16. The method of claim 1 , wherein after the second condition when the vehicle is moving a sufficient amount, powertrain torque transmitted to the wheels is gradually transitioned to be generated in said first relation to actuation of the pedal by the driver.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 16, 2004
From: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
To: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 015996/0305 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 12, 2004
From: HROVAT, DAVOR; FODOR, MICHAEL; MCCONNELL, MITCHELL G.
To: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Reel/Frame 015977/0260 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20060080022A1 · Apr 13, 2006