The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 29, 2000
Filed:
Oct. 20, 1997
Shigeo Kikori, Toyota, JP;
Mitsuru Takada, Aichi-gun, JP;
Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyota, JP;
Abstract
An apparatus for controlling an opening of a throttle valve to adjust an amount of air flow led into an internal combustion engine mounted on a vehicle. A depression sensor detects the degree of depression of an accelerator pedal. An electric component is provided for electrically adjusting the opening of the throttle valve based on the depression of the gas pedal. A mechanical component is provided for adjusting the opening of the throttle valve in response to the depression of the accelerator pedal. The mechanical component is rendered operable when the electric component fails to control the opening of the throttle valve. An electric control unit (ECU) prohibits the electric component from resuming control of the throttle valve until a certain condition is met, such as stoppage of the engine or the entire vehicle, even if the electric component is capable of controlling the throttle valve. In another embodiment, the ECU prohibits the electric component from resuming control of the throttle valve until a transmission shift position of neutral or park is detected.