Patent ID: 7302333
Filing Date: 2007-11-27
Classification: B60K,B60W,B60Y,F16H,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method for automated control of a drive train of a land vehicle with at least one drive wheel to be executed when ground conditions exist that impede the initiation or continuation of travel of the land vehicle, said method comprising the steps of: determining, in the land vehicle, that a ground condition exists that impedes an initiation or continuation of travel of the land vehicle; applying drive power, via the drive train of the land vehicle, to at least one drive wheel of the land vehicle in an attempt to cause productive travel of the land vehicle and continuing the application of drive power until a predetermined condition of unproductive vehicle travel progress has been detected, said condition of unproductive vehicle travel progress being prescribed as a sensed condition indicative that travel progress of the powered vehicle, relative to the ground desired to be traversed, has fallen below a threshold measure; and controlling, via an automated drive train control routine, execution of the application step of drive power to the drive wheel in an attempt to cause productive travel of the land vehicle responsive to a driver-initiated signal; discontinuing drive power to the drive wheel of the land vehicle until a predetermined power resumption condition occurs; reapplying drive power to the drive wheel of the land vehicle for the purpose of continuing productive powered travel of the land vehicle; and controlling, via the automated drive train control routine, execution of the steps of application, discontinuation, and reapplication of drive power to the drive wheel of the land vehicle responsive to the driver-initiated signal.