Output control device for vehicle

1. An output control device configured to control output torque of a running drive source mounted on a vehicle, comprising:

a plurality of measuring units which measure, for a plurality of predetermined threshold values, amounts of time for which an output difference index remains greater than or equal to the respective threshold values;

an electronic control unit that controls the drive source; and

a storage medium, having stored there on instructions which when read by the electronic control unit cause the electronic control unit to perform the steps of

calculating, based on operation of an accelerator of the vehicle, an allowable torque that the running drive source is allowed to generate in response to a driver's request;

calculating, based on an operating condition of the vehicle, an estimated torque that is estimated to be actually output by the running drive source;

calculating an output difference index correlated with a difference between the allowable torque and the estimated torque; and

determining whether or not the amounts of time measured by the plurality of measuring units are greater than or equal to respective discrimination times predetermined for the respective threshold values and judging that the output control device is anomalous if at least one of the amounts of time measured by the measuring units is determined to be greater than or equal to its associated discrimination time

wherein the discrimination times are predetermined such that discrimination times for greater threshold values are shorter.

2. The output control device according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of threshold values are set in a stepwise manner.

3. The output control device according to claim 1 , wherein the output difference index is excess acceleration of the vehicle.

4. The output control device according to claim 3 , wherein the plurality of threshold values and the respective discrimination times are set by interpolation between previously stored first data corresponding to a minimum acceleration of the vehicle and previously stored second data corresponding to a maximum acceleration of the vehicle.

5. The output control device according to claim 4 , wherein the first data corresponding to the minimum acceleration of the vehicle is a value based on a maximum acceleration during creep running of the vehicle, and a discrimination time associated with the first data is 0.8 to 1.2 seconds.

6. The output control device according to claim 1 , wherein:

the allowable torque is calculated based on an engine rotating speed and an amount of operation of the accelerator of the vehicle, and

the estimated torque is calculated based on a quantity of intake air taken in the engine and the engine rotating speed.

7. The output control device according to claim 1 , wherein the instructions further cause the electronic control unit to

control the running drive source when an anomaly is detected, in such a manner that the output of the running drive source lowers.