Patent ID: 7383910
Filing Date: 2008-06-10
Classification: B60K,B60W

Abstract:
1. A drive force control method for a four-wheel drive vehicle having main drive wheels connected to a driving source, auxiliary drive wheels whose drive torque is adjustable, and a torque distribution mechanism for adjusting a torque distribution ratio between said main drive wheels and said auxiliary drive wheels so that the torque distribution ratio of said auxiliary drive wheels to said main drive wheels is increased when the vehicle is turning and also for adjusting a torque distribution ratio between outer and inner auxiliary drive wheels when the vehicle is turning, said drive force control method comprising the steps of: detecting a vehicle speed; gradually decreasing the torque distribution ratio of a turning outer wheel of said auxiliary drive wheels to a turning inner wheel of said auxiliary drive wheels in response to an increase in said vehicle speed, when the vehicle is turning; and decreasing the torque distribution ratio of said auxiliary outer wheel to said auxiliary inner wheel when the vehicle is turning and an associated transmission is set to a low-speed or high-speed position.