A smart governor system that intercepts and adjusts throttle commands when certain criteria are met based on vehicle operations and a user-selected transmission mode. The governor, when engaged, reduces a throttle command in order limit engine and/or ground speed.

A vehicle control apparatus includes a thermal load priority calculator, a stability priority calculator, and a driving force distribution controller. The thermal load priority calculator is configured to calculate a thermal load priority that prioritizes a thermal load of a motor for driving a vehicle according to an operating state of the vehicle. The stability priority calculator is configured to calculate a stability priority that prioritizes a stability of the vehicle according to an operating state of the vehicle. The driving force distribution controller is configured to control a driving force distribution in a front and a rear of the vehicle, on a basis of a result of comparing the thermal load priority and the stability priority.

A vehicle apparatus typically for use on snow and similar ground terrain for the use of towing personnel from a first location to a second location wherein the user typically wears skis, snowboard, or other alpine or Nordic devices and is towed along the snow by a retractable tether which is optionally interconnected to a remote-controller or directly to the user.

A ride-on vehicle is provided that has a speed controlled switching system. The ride-on vehicle has a vehicle body having a driver's seat, a plurality of wheels, a motor, a battery electrically connected to the motor, a direction switch assembly electrically connected between the battery and the motor, and a speed switch electrically connected between the direction switch assembly and the motor. The direction switch assembly has a forward button and a reverse button, and is proximal the driver's seat in the vehicle body. The speed switch has a high speed setting and a low speed setting and is distal the driver's seat and generally not accessible by a rider seated in the driver's seat. When the reverse button is actuated the direction switch assembly causes the voltage observed by the motor to be at the low speed setting regardless of the setting of the speed switch.

A vehicle pedal for a motor vehicle that includes a base plate, which may be attached to the body of the motor vehicle, a pedal plate, which is configured to absorb a mechanical force from a driver and which is pivotable relative to the base plate, and at least one hinge via which the base plate and the pedal plate are coupled with each other in a pivoting manner. The vehicle pedal also includes a spring unit, which is coupled with the pedal plate and extends in parallel or essentially in parallel to the pedal plate, and a lever unit, which is coupled with the spring unit and includes a lever arm and a sensor. The mechanical force may be transferred to the sensor of the lever unit via the spring unit and the lever arm of the lever unit. The sensor converts the mechanical force into electrical force.

A method and system for blending between different torque maps of a vehicle in a smooth and progressive manner. Blending is delayed if the vehicle driver cannot detect that blending is taking place, for example, when the difference between a source map and target map is below a predetermined threshold.

An accelerating and braking device is disclosed for a vehicle. The accelerating and braking device includes a support tube pivotably coupled adjacent to the steering column. A brake tube links the control tube with the brake pedal for activating and deactivating the brake pedal. A position sensor is coupled to the control tube. A control engaging the position sensor for producing a variable signal output from the position sensor during rotation of the control. The position sensor electrically coupled to the electronic control module. A first rotational displacement of the position sensor causing an increase in velocity of the vehicle. A second rotational displacement of the position sensor causing a decrease in velocity of the vehicle. A first spring and a second spring engaging the control for causing the second rotational displacement and the decrease in velocity of the vehicle.

A vehicle pedal with a pedal base defining a sensor housing and a pedal arm overlying and spaced from and pivotally coupled to the pedal base. A sensor in the sensor housing includes a sensor element that moves in the direction of the pedal base in response to the movement of the pedal arm to generate an electrical signal used to determine to position of the pedal arm. In one embodiment, the sensor includes a strain gage and the sensor element is an actuator that flexes the strain gage. In another embodiment, the sensor includes a Hall Effect sensor and the sensor element is a magnet whose movement results in a magnetic field change sensed by the Hall Effect sensor. In a further embodiment, the sensor element is a cap with wipers that slide against a resistive element.

A vehicle throttle system having a throttle foot pedal and a throttle lever, wherein actuation of the vehicle engine may be controlled by the pedal and lever. The system includes a throttle level sensor, which is located at the throttle lever, and arranged to receive inputs from both the foot pedal and the lever. By locating the throttle sensor at the throttle lever, the sensor is less exposed to harmful environmental conditions, and can provide for more effective use of vehicle cabin space.

Provided is an internal combustion engine control system capable of simultaneously and suitably carrying out the will of a driver to accelerate and modifications to the throttle opening degree characteristics. An internal combustion engine control system is provided with an accelerator pedal operation amount sensor for detecting the accelerator pedal operation amount, a storage unit for storing multiple different throttle opening degree characteristics of an engine relative to the accelerator pedal operation amount, a switch for selecting the throttle opening degree characteristic pertaining to a plus sports mode in response to an operation, and an engine control unit for controlling the throttle opening degree of the engine on the basis of the selected throttle opening degree characteristic and the detected accelerator pedal operation amount.