Optionally Tuning up for Automobiles Accelerator Pedal Sensitivity : Compensation of the Load Change by Weight and Gradient

Recently, an electrically-controlled throttle valve is gradually being popularized with the appearance of lean-burn gasoline engines. The system used this device, has the freedom to allow different behaviors between the throttle valve and the accelration pedal, and is called "Drive By Wire (DBW)" system. Therefore, DBW system is able to control optionally the dynamic characteristic of the automobile within its hardware limitations. In other words, it is possible to tune up the sensitivity of the acceleration pedal optionally. This paper describes compensation algorithm against changing the automobile weight and road gradient, while the optionally tuning up is carrying on. Principle of the compensation is conducted by comparing the behavior of the reference model which is running at normal load condition, with that of a real automobile which is running at changed load condition. Experiments was carried out using an engine load simulator, and showed good results of the compensation.