Patent ID: 6511397
Filing Date: 2003-01-28
Classification: B60K,B60W,Y10T

Abstract:
A system for controlling a transfer case which is operatively disposed within a four-wheel drive vehicle of the type having a selectively positionable throttle and a front and a rear driveshaft, said transfer case being effective to selectively transfer torque to said front driveshaft and to said rear driveshaft, said system comprising:a first sensor which senses a first and a second position of said throttle and which generates at least one signal representing said sensed first and second position; a second sensor which measures a speed of said front driveshaft and which generates a second signal based upon said speed of said front driveshaft; a third sensor which measures a speed of said rear driveshaft and which generates a third signal based upon said speed of said rear driveshaft; a controller which is communicatively coupled to said transfer case and to said sensor, and which receives said at least one signal and which utilizes said at least one signal to calculate a rate of change of throttle position, said controller being further adapted to selectively generate an output signal based upon said rate of change of throttle position, wherein said rate of change of throttle position is calculated over a first period of time, and wherein said controller is further adapted to calculate a second rate of change of throttle position which is calculated over a second period of time, and wherein said controller selectively generates said output signal further based upon said second rate of change of throttle position, said output signal being effective to selectively control said torque which is transferred to said front and said rear driveshafts, said controller being further adapted to receive said second signal and said third signal and to generate said output signal based further upon said second signal and said third signal, wherein said controller is further adapted to compare said rate of change of throttle position to a threshold value, and to generate said output signal only if said rate of change of throttle position exceeds said threshold value.