Patent ID: 6032096
Filing Date: 2000-02-29
Classification: B60W,F16H,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
A system for controlling a running characteristic of a vehicle, comprising:a) first means for setting a plurality of different running characteristics of the vehicle;b) second means for determining a vehicular current running condition;c) third means for selecting a first running characteristic of the set running characteristics on the basis of the determined running condition;d) fourth means for setting at least one transitional running characteristic which provides an intermediate running characteristic between the presently selected running characteristic and a target running characteristic;e) fifth means for temporarily transferring the running characteristic from the first running characteristic to the transitional running characteristic;f) sixth means for determining a change rate of a driving operation when the running characteristic is transferred and for determining whether the transfer of the running characteristic is appropriate according to a result of the determination of the change rate; andg) seventh means for carrying out the transfer of the running characteristic from the transitional running characteristic to the target running characteristic according to the result of the determination of whether the transfer of the running characteristic is appropriate.