Abstract: The present invention provides a horn sound output control apparatus of a vehicle, including: a vehicle speed comparing unit; an object determining unit which, when it is determined that the current speed of the principle vehicle is equal to or lower than the reference speed, determines that an object located within a predetermined distance from the principle vehicle is the other vehicle; a horn volume adjusting unit which, when it is determined that the object is the other vehicle, adjusts a horn volume of the principle vehicle to maintain a reference volume and when it is determined that the object is not the other vehicle, adjusts the horn volume of the principle vehicle to be equal to or lower than the reference volume; and a horn sound output unit which outputs a horn sound of the principle vehicle to the outside based on the adjusted horn volume.

Abstract: A method for controlling the side slip angle of a rear-wheel drive vehicle when turning; the control method provides for the steps of: detecting the position of an accelerator control which is displaced along a predetermined stroke; using a first initial part of the stroke of the accelerator control for directly controlling the generation of the drive torque so that the generated drive torque depends on the position of the accelerator control; and using a second final part of the stroke of the accelerator control to directly control a side slip angle of the vehicle when turning so that the side slip angle depends on the position of the accelerator control.

Abstract: A vehicle behavior control apparatus that generates a gyro moment based on the behavior of the vehicle includes i) a gyro which has a rotating body that is rotatably supported on a rotating shaft and a rotating body rotating portion that rotates the rotating body, ii) a vehicle speed detecting portion that detects the vehicle speed of the vehicle, and iii) a controller that changes the centrifugal force generated in the rotating body based on the detected vehicle speed.

Abstract: A motorcycle with reduced fuel consumption. A centrifugal clutch intermittently transfers torque from an engine to a drive wheel in accordance with engine speed. A brake lock switch regulates the engine speed. When the brake lock switch is off, engine start inhibition control is executed. When the brake lock switch is on, engine speed regulation control is executed to prevent engagement of the centrifugal clutch.

Abstract: A method of calculating a cornering force to be applied to each wheel provided to a vehicle which is cornering, comprising the steps of: obtaining a magnitude of a centrifugal force to the vehicle in a direction substantially orthogonal to a vehicle traveling direction, a contact length of each wheel during the cornering of the vehicle, and an amount of deformation in a wheel width direction at the contact portion of each wheel of the vehicle, calculating a difference between the obtained amount of the deformation and an amount of deformation in the wheel width direction under a straight forward travel condition of the vehicle for each wheel, and calculating a cornering force for each wheel based on the magnitude of the centrifugal force, the contact length, and the difference between amounts of deformation in the wheel width direction.

Abstract: An energy management system for a motor-assisted user-propelled vehicle comprising a motor capable of assisting in propelling the vehicle and a rechargeable power supply for supplying energy to the motor. The system comprises: a user input for providing a desired value for each of at least one control parameter related to the user; a sensor for each control parameter for obtaining an actual value of the control parameter; a value comparator for receiving the desired value and the actual value of each control parameter and comparing them to generate a comparison signal for each control parameter; a command generator for generating a motor command using at least one comparison signal; and a motor controller for operating the motor, using the motor command, either to assist in propelling the vehicle, or act to recharge the power supply, in a way to bring the actual value closer to the desired value.

Abstract: A wheel speed detection system including a rotator, a sensor head, a detector, a pulse converter, a speed calculator and a threshold shifter. Plural concave and convex portions are formed on a periphery of the rotator rotating together with a wheel. The sensor head includes a coil to generate an alternate current magnetic field. The detector excites the coil to generate an eddy current on the concave and convex portions, and outputs alternate current detection signals corresponding to changes in the eddy current generated with rotation of the rotator. The pulse converter converts the alternate current detection signals into pulse signals according to preset threshold levels. The speed calculator calculates rotational speed of the wheel based on the pulse signals. The threshold shifter shifts the threshold levels corresponding to a difference between a default average and an average of the alternate current detection signals actually outputted from the detector.

Abstract: Relative center of gravity height in a motor vehicle changes from a nominal value to an actual value depending upon vehicle loading. Method and apparatus for determining actual relative center of gravity height are disclosed.

Abstract: An acceleration sensor having a mass which is movably supported outside its center of gravity, first electrodes on the mass and second electrodes located at a distance therefrom forming a capacitive sensor in order to determine a change in position of the mass as a function of time. At least one spring element which generates a restoring force when the mass is deflected from its neutral position is provided on the side of the mass facing the capacitive sensor. The mass may be obtained by being exposed from a material layer, and the mass is surrounded, at least at its side faces, by this material.

Abstract: A vehicle is equipped with a motor that receives a supply of electric power, which is output from a battery and is boosted up by a DC/DC converter circuit, via an inverter circuit and outputs a torque to a drive shaft. In response to an estimated variation in road surface condition based on a decrease in angular acceleration of the drive shaft to be less than a threshold value ref during a slip, the control procedure of the invention adds a predetermined value to a torque upper limit Tmax, which is set at the time of the occurrence of the slip, and thereby updates the torque upper limit Tmax to start cancellation of torque restriction. The control procedure then updates the torque upper limit Tmax by a slope of a small time change to restrain the degree of cancellation of the torque restriction.

Abstract: A powered snowboard having a drive assembly mounted thereon, the drive assembly including a frame, a track assembly having a track suspended over multiple wheels, the track assembly being supported in the frame such that it is able to travel in a vertical direction as well as pivot about an axis, and a motor operatively engaged with the track such that it drives the track thus propelling the snowboard. A cutout is formed in the snowboard through which the track assembly engages the snow or ice below the snowboard, and the track assembly is biased against the snow or ice to maintain a constant contact with the snow or ice during use.

Abstract: In a power train supporting apparatus and method for an automotive vehicle, at least three mount portions support a power train constituted by an engine and a transmission on a frame of a vehicle body in such a manner that the output axle of the engine intersects a center line of a vehicular longitudinal direction as viewed from a top of the vehicle. The three mount portions comprise engine front and rear side mounts arranged on a vehicular front side and a vehicular rear side with respect to the engine and a transmission side mount arranged in the vicinity of the transmission. The mounts are arranged in such a manner that a distance from a weight center of the power train to each of the engine front and rear side mounts is shorter than a distance from the weight center of the power train to the transmission side mount.

Abstract: A vehicle cruise control system comprises a plurality of pre-set cruise control speed buttons and cruise control logic circuitry coupled to the pre-set cruise control speed buttons. Each one of the pre-set cruise control speed buttons corresponds to a respective pre-set cruise control speed. The cruise control logic circuitry is configured for implementing control of a vehicle speed to maintain the respective pre-set cruise control speed corresponding to a selected one of said pre-set cruise control speed buttons.

Abstract: An autonomous device for warning drivers of automobiles of excessive speed of turning around a curve. The device is compact with both the sensing means and alarm audio and/or visual signal producing means. The sensing means comprises two, alternatively activated and differentially calibrated by means of a proposed calibration device, pair of mercury switches, each pair comprising two oppositely inclined mercury switches for monitoring right and left turns of the vehicle, wherein the first pair is adapted for use in conditions of dry road surface by calibration at a predetermined value of inclination and a second pair is adapted for use in conditions of wet road surface by calibration at a different predetermined value of inclination.

Abstract: A method and system of automatically controlling engine speed of a vehicle in a turn employs an engine control system (10) to determine an optimal engine speed for the turn and an actual engine speed as sensed by an engine speed sensor (38). Engine control system (10) determines the difference between optimal engine speed and actual engine speed and compares this difference to current engine load. Based on this comparison, engine control system (10) then determines whether to alter engine speed and, if so, determines an amount to reduce the difference between optimal engine speed and actual engine speed.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting wheel lift of an automotive vehicle includes a yaw rate sensor (28) that generates a yaw rate signal, a lateral acceleration sensor (32) that generates a lateral acceleration signal, a roll rate sensor (34) generating a roll rate signal, and a longitudinal acceleration sensor (36) for generating a longitudinal acceleration signal. A controller (18) is coupled to the yaw rate sensor (28), the lateral acceleration sensor (32), the roll rate sensor (34), and the longitudinal acceleration sensor (36). The controller determines a dynamic load transfer acting on the plurality of wheels as a function of yaw rate, lateral acceleration roll rate, and longitudinal acceleration. Normal forces for each of the plurality of wheels is determined as a function of the dynamic load transfer. Wheel lift is indicated when at least one of the normal forces for each of the plurality of wheels is less than a normal force threshold.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant sensor apparatus (34) has an imager (36) that gathers an image of an occupant (12). The image has focus attributes. A focal plane associated with the imager (36) is at a distance from the imager. A 2D high-pass filter (42), a multiple frame temporal filter (46), and a position determination component (52) operate to determine position of the occupant (12) relative to the focal plane (38) via use of the focus attributes.

Abstract: A method of controlling a cruise control system, comprising the steps of: assigning a low lateral acceleration limit; assigning a high lateral acceleration limit; determining a lateral acceleration of a vehicle; comparing the lateral acceleration to the low and high lateral acceleration limits; monitoring a torque command of a torque control computer at least where the lateral acceleration is above the low lateral acceleration limit; and compensating the torque command by setting the torque command equal to a minimum torque command where the lateral acceleration is between the low and high lateral acceleration limits and the torque command increases.

Abstract: A system for detecting wheel lift of an automotive vehicle has a speed sensor (22) coupled to a wheel (12) of automotive vehicle (10). A torque control system (20) is coupled to wheel (12) to change the torque at the wheel. A controller (18) is coupled to the torque control system and a speed sensor. The controller (18) determines lift by changing the torque of the wheel, measuring the change in torque and indicating lift in response to the change in torque which may be indicated by wheel speed.

Abstract: A device for generating an audible signal using an audible unit of a motor vehicle, particularly when the motor vehicle performs an evasive maneuver. The device includes a striking member situated substantially in the motor vehicle; the striking member includes a contacting portion. The device also includes an enclosing member situated in a close proximity to the striking member; the enclosing member includes a contacting unit electrically connected to the striking member for generating an activating signal when the motor vehicle is performing an evasive maneuver. The device further includes a third unit having a first end for electrically communicating with the enclosing member. The third unit also has a second end providing an output signal to the audible unit of the motor vehicle in response to the activating signal, and the output signal being provided for a predetermined time period.

Abstract: A speed control for an engine having a throttle and a drive shaft made up of a selective gear connected to a differential gear and a responsive gear connected to a second differential gear all rotatable about a common axis. Two differential pinions rotatably connected to the differential gears and supported on a pinion shaft disposed at right angles to the axis. The center of the pinion shaft being attached to a drum mounted concentric to the axis and having an actuating member connected from the drum to the engine throttle and a reference motor operatively connected to the first side gear to drive it at a selected speed and a drive shaft from the engine driving the second side gear.