Controlling Lateral Vehicle Attitude (e.g., Antiroll, Antisway) Patents (Class 280/5.506)
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Patent number: 7726665Abstract: A suspension system for an agricultural or construction industry vehicle is described. The suspension system comprises two hydraulic cylinders, which support a frame in relation to an axle of the vehicle, the hydraulic cylinders each having a piston-side chamber and a piston rod-side chamber and each of the chambers of the hydraulic cylinders being connectable to one another via connecting lines provided with a switch valve, a first supply line, which can be connected via a switch valve to the piston-side connecting line of the first hydraulic cylinder, a second supply line, which can be connected via a switch valve to the piston-side connecting line of the second hydraulic cylinder, a hydraulic accumulator, in each case connectable to the supply lines via proportionally adjustable orifices, a hydraulic source, a hydraulic tank, a control valve device, and an electronic control unit.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2007Date of Patent: June 1, 2010Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventor: Marcus Bitter
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Patent number: 7725226Abstract: In a target rotational angle determining routine, based on a roll moment and longitudinal acceleration that are calculated, target rotational angles of actuators on a subject side (one of front-wheel and rear-wheel sides) and a counterpart side are obtained using a common map. An actual rotational angle on the counterpart side is read. It is determined whether the absolute value of a difference obtained by subtracting the actual rotational angle supplied from the counterpart side from the target rotational angle on the counterpart side that is obtained by the subject side is equal to or greater than a set angle difference ??0. If YES, it is determined that roll stiffness on the counterpart side is insufficient, and the target rotational angle on the subject side is changed so that a roll stiffness distribution ratio between the front-wheel side and the rear-wheel side comes close to a set distribution ratio.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2006Date of Patent: May 25, 2010Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shingo Urababa, Tomoyuki Iida
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Patent number: 7717437Abstract: A vehicle stabilizer bar assembly having a pair of stabilizer bar members that are selectively uncoupled via a clutch. The clutch includes a plurality of engagement pins that can be selectively moved via an actuator to effect the uncoupling of the stabilizer bar members. The actuator is configured to apply a force to the moving element concentrically about the axis along which the moving element translates. A method for operating a vehicle stabilizer bar assembly is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2007Date of Patent: May 18, 2010Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: Herbert L. Adams, III, Larry G. Haske
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Patent number: 7715963Abstract: In a stabilizer control apparatus for controlling a torsional rigidity of a stabilizer of a vehicle, an actual lateral acceleration and a calculated lateral acceleration are obtained. Then, influence amount caused by the calculated lateral acceleration is set to be greater than influence amount caused by the actual lateral acceleration, when the vehicle is moving straight, whereas the influence amount caused by the actual lateral acceleration is set to be increased, with the turning operation of the vehicle being increased, to actively control the rolling motion of the vehicle body.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2005Date of Patent: May 11, 2010Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoshiyuki Yasui, Shingo Urababa, Shuuichi Buma
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Patent number: 7706941Abstract: A method and system for coordinating a vehicle stability control system with a suspension damper control sub-system includes a plurality of dampers, each of which are controlled directly by the suspension damper control sub-system. A plurality of sensors sense a plurality of vehicle parameters. A supervisory controller generates vehicle damper commands based on the plurality of vehicle parameters for each of the dampers. A damper controller in electrical communication with the supervisory controller receives the vehicle damper commands and generates sub-system damper commands based on a portion of the plurality of vehicle parameters for each of the dampers. The damper controller also determines if any of the vehicle damper commands for any one of the dampers has authority over the corresponding sub-system damper command.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2006Date of Patent: April 27, 2010Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Loren E. Majersik, Kerfegar K. Katrak, Steven D. Palazzolo, Mark A. Seifert
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Patent number: 7698034Abstract: An integrated vehicle control system includes a first control system having a maximum authority to selectively operate a first vehicle sub-system and a second control system to selectively operate a second vehicle sub-system. A controller is adapted to monitor a first parameter associated with the first vehicle sub-system and a second parameter associated with the second vehicle sub-system. The controller is operable to control the first and second parameters by selectively invoking operation of the second control system when the first control system exceeds the maximum authority and the second parameter exceeds an upper threshold.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2004Date of Patent: April 13, 2010Inventor: Youssef A Ghoneim
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Patent number: 7698036Abstract: A roll angular velocity sensor and an occupant sensor are operatively coupled to a processor, which provides for detecting a rollover condition responsive to a measure of roll angular velocity and controlling a safety restraint system responsive thereto, wherein a detection criteria associated with the rollover detection process is responsive to a signal from the occupant sensor. In one embodiment, a closure time is estimated from estimates or measurements of occupant velocity or acceleration, and the estimated closure time is compared with a threshold. If the estimated closure time is less than the threshold, activation of the safety restraint system is either inhibited or advanced relative to that otherwise provided by the rollover detection process alone. Otherwise, the activation may be delayed to provide additional time for the rollover detection.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2003Date of Patent: April 13, 2010Assignee: Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc.Inventors: W. Todd Watson, Leonard S. Cech
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Patent number: 7686309Abstract: A hydraulic system for a suspension system for a vehicle includes at least one first pair of wheel rams (11, 12) at a first end of the vehicle and at least one second pair of wheel rams (13, 14) at a second end of the vehicle, each rams including a compression chamber (45-48) and a rebound chamber (49-52); and the system includes first and second diagonal circuits with respect to said vehicle. The hydraulic system includes at least one first and second modal resilience devices (81, 82). These devices each including at least one resilient means (107-110), at least one moveable member (105-106) and at least first and second (89, 90 and 91, 92) system modal chambers. Motion of the moveable member of each modal resilience device due to roll or pitch motion of the vehicle is controlled by the respective at least one resilient means to thereby provide respective roll or pitch resilience in the system.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2005Date of Patent: March 30, 2010Assignee: Kinetic Pty. Ltd.Inventors: Raymond Andrew Munday, James Lind Taylor, Richard Monk
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Patent number: 7684911Abstract: A vehicle includes a semi-active suspension including suspension dampers controllably adjustable in accordance with electronic stability control commands and ride and handling commands. Vehicle steering response states, turning direction states and vehicle dynamics states are binary coded in respective state variables and suspension control calibrations are binary coded in calibration words. Integrity and security of state variables and calibration words are ensured in efficient binary digit resource allocation schemes.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2005Date of Patent: March 23, 2010Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Mark A. Seifert, Kerfegar K. Katrak, Steven D. Palazzolo
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Patent number: 7660654Abstract: A control system (18) and method for an automotive vehicle (10) includes a pitch rate sensor (37) generating a pitch rate signal, a longitudinal acceleration sensor (36) generating a longitudinal acceleration signal, and a yaw rate sensor (28) generating a yaw rate signal. A safety system (44) and the sensors are coupled to a controller. From the sensors, the controller (26) determines an added mass and a position of the added mass, a pitch gradient and/or a pitch acceleration coefficient that takes into account the added mass and position. The controller controls a vehicle system in response to the added mass and the position of the added mass, the pitch gradient and/or pitch acceleration coefficient variables.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2004Date of Patent: February 9, 2010Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Jianbo Lu, Keith Mattson, Joe Meyers
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Publication number: 20100013173Abstract: A wheel suspension for a vehicle which includes a wheel (8) and at least one suspension arm (2) that connects the wheel (8) to the body (7) of the vehicle. The arm (2) is pivotally mounted to the body (7) by an inner part (9) of a bearing (3) such that the arm (2) pivots about an axis (6). An angle measuring device senses rotation of the arm (2) about the pivot axis (6) relative to the body (7) and includes a signal generator (25) and a sensor (18). One of the signal generator (25) and the sensor (18) is attached to an outside of the arm (2) while the other is rigidly attached, via a bracket (15), to the body (7) at a distance from the suspension arm (2).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2007Publication date: January 21, 2010Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Michael Klank, Andreas Gartner
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Patent number: 7644934Abstract: When the side acceleration acting upon a vehicle body is comparatively small, the roll rigidities of a front wheel suspension device and a rear wheel suspension device are mainly controlled based upon their roll angles; while, when this side acceleration is comparatively large, the roll rigidities of the front wheel suspension device and the rear wheel suspension device are mainly controlled based upon the correlation between the roll rigidity of the front wheel suspension and the roll rigidity of the rear wheel suspension device.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2006Date of Patent: January 12, 2010Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Yuichi Mizuta
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Patent number: 7637511Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for electronic shock absorbing by adjusting the retractile status of a retractable absorber, wherein an acceleration sensor is fixed on a vehicle body at a predetermined direction and angle to detect the signal of acceleration vectors both along the vertical direction and along the longitudinal and transverse direction of the vehicle, and then transmit the signal to an information processing and controlling device to set the retractile status of the retractable absorber to realize shock absorbing.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2006Date of Patent: December 29, 2009Inventors: Guo Xiao, Dongping Xiao
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Patent number: 7603221Abstract: An automatic slowing down system for a vehicle taking a bend includes a computer that integrates a series of instructions to process at least one of first, second and third signals according to kinematic control laws of vehicle displacement to deliver signals for a forward motion actuator and a steering actuator, a forward control and a steering control that supply the first signal representative of a forward motion data and a steering data to the computer based on an operator's requirement, a linear speed sensor and a yaw speed sensor that supply the second signal to the computer, and a unit that supplies the third signal relating to road grip to the computer.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2003Date of Patent: October 13, 2009Assignee: Nexter SystemsInventors: Emile Urvoy, Olivier Pape, Stephane Leveque
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Patent number: 7597330Abstract: A vehicle stabilizing system includes a vehicle that has a suspension assembly. The vehicle has a first lateral side and a second lateral side. A horizontal level detecting apparatus is mounted on the vehicle and detecting centrifugal force is applied to the vehicle. A pair of bladders is operationally coupled to the horizontal level detecting apparatus and each is mounted to the suspension assembly. One of the bladders is mechanically coupled to a first wheel positioned adjacent to the first lateral side and the other one of the bladders is mechanically coupled to a second wheel positioned adjacent to the second lateral side. The bladders are selectively inflated to increase a distance between a chassis of the vehicle and a ground surface to counteract centrifugal and gravitational forces detected by the horizontal level detecting apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2008Date of Patent: October 6, 2009Inventor: Ian Purchase
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Publication number: 20090230639Abstract: A method for operating active stabilizers in a motor vehicle includes an on-road mode and an off-road mode. In the on-road mode a stabilizer is activated and deactivated in dependence on operating parameters of the motor vehicle, in particular the travel speed and/or the lateral acceleration and/or a level sensor system, wherein in the activated state rolling motions of the vehicle are reduced by introducing torque into the stabilizer or stabilizers that counteracts the rolling motion. In the off-road mode, the stabilizer is deactivated up to a given travel speed or, in case of an alternate jouncing of the wheels, a control of the stabilizer is performed such that a downward force of the rebounding wheel is increased. Wheel slip may be used as a parameter when controlling the stabilizers. A motor vehicle having active stabilizers is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2009Publication date: September 17, 2009Applicant: Volkswagen AGInventor: PATRICIO VAN CAYZEELE
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Patent number: 7571039Abstract: A rollover avoidance system for changing the damping characteristics of suspension dampers at each wheel of a vehicle so as to mitigate the potential for vehicle rollover. The system includes a plurality of vehicle parameter sensors for measuring vehicle parameters and providing vehicle parameter signals. The system also includes a controller for generating a damper suspension command signal for each damper using the vehicle parameter signals. The controller considers a roll control factor representing a rollover condition of the vehicle and a yaw stability control factor representing a yaw condition of the vehicle to set the damping of the dampers to mitigate the potential for vehicle rollover.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2006Date of Patent: August 4, 2009Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Shih-Ken Chen, Nikolai K. Moshchuk, Cheng-Foo Chen
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Patent number: 7571043Abstract: A roll-over suppressing control apparatus for a vehicle is disclosed which can carry out roll-over suppressing control appropriately in response to the type of turning. Upon turning of the vehicle, if a parameter corresponding to the rolling behavior of the vehicle becomes higher than a control start criterion value set in advance, then roll-over suppressing control of suppressing rolling of the vehicle is started. Then, if the parameter becomes lower than a control end criterion value set in advance, then the roll-over suppressing control is ended. As the control end criterion value, a steady turning control end criterion value is used when the turning of the vehicle is steady turning, but when the turning of the vehicle is non-steady turning such as lane change turning, a non-steady turning control end criterion value set to a value lower than that of the steady turning control end criterion value is used.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2005Date of Patent: August 4, 2009Assignee: Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus CorporationInventor: Kunio Sakata
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Publication number: 20090166990Abstract: A stabilizer is provided for a motor vehicle with two shafts (2, 3), which extend in the transverse direction of the vehicle, can be coupled with one another via a mechanical coupling (40) and are in functional connection with wheels of the motor vehicle with their ends facing away from the coupling (40). A first shaft is connected to a first coupling portion designed as a locking disk and a second shaft is connected to a second coupling portion, which cooperates with the locking disk (7) and is designed as a locking device (8).Type: ApplicationFiled: July 5, 2005Publication date: July 2, 2009Inventors: Peter Reitz, Wolfgang Kinzelmann, Ingo Mueller, Hans-Juergen Moesch, Jens Vortmeyer, Lutz Pydde
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Patent number: 7552928Abstract: A method for operating active stabilizers in a motor vehicle includes an on-road mode and an off-road mode. In the on-road mode a stabilizer is activated and deactivated in dependence on operating parameters of the motor vehicle, in particular the travel speed and/or the lateral acceleration and/or a level sensor system, wherein in the activated state rolling motions of the vehicle are reduced by introducing torque into the stabilizer or stabilizers that counteracts the rolling motion. In the off-road mode, the stabilizer is deactivated up to a given travel speed or, in case of an alternate jouncing of the wheels, a control of the stabilizer is performed such that a downward force of the rebounding wheel is increased. Wheel slip may be used as a parameter when controlling the stabilizers. A motor vehicle having active stabilizers is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2005Date of Patent: June 30, 2009Assignee: Volkswagen AGInventor: Patricio Van Cayzeele
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Publication number: 20090115147Abstract: Anti-roll system especially for a vehicle, comprising system control means, a tank (4) and a pump (3) for a hydraulic fluid, and two or more stabilizers, each stabilizer comprising an actuator (5, 6) which is arranged to control the relevant stabilizer's moment in dependency of the hydraulic pressure at the actuator's terminals. Each actuator has either one or both of its terminals (A, B) connected to a first terminal (I) of a pressure control module (8) which has a second terminal (II) connected to the tank's inlet side and a third terminal (III) to the pump's outlet side. The control means and each control module are arranged to supply a fluid pressure at its first terminal under control of said control means. The pressure control modules (8) may comprise a series connection of two pressure control valves (1, 2) e.g. pressure relief or limitation valves. As an alternative the pressure control modules (8) comprise a three-way pressure control valve (9), e.g. a three-way pressure reduction valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2006Publication date: May 7, 2009Applicant: Nederlandse Organisatie voor toegepastnatuurwetensInventors: Jozef Zuurbier, Albertus Clemens Maria Van Der Knaap
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Patent number: 7500677Abstract: A sway control arrangement configured to control movement of a product storage tank supported on a wheeled chassis assembly is provided. The wheeled chassis assembly includes a leaf spring in support of a frame and a tank on a transverse axle relative to a forward direction of travel. The sway control arrangement includes a master cylinder actuator in fluid communication with a pair of slave cylinders. The master cylinder is mounted between the frame and the leaf spring. The pair of slave cylinders are spaced apart from one another and mounted between the tank and the frame. The master cylinder communicates a fluid signal representative of a movement of the leaf spring relative the frame. In response to the fluid signal, the pair of slave cylinder actuators reduces movement of the tank from generally level alignment relative to the axle.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2006Date of Patent: March 10, 2009Assignee: CNH America, LLCInventor: Bruce G. Bastin
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Patent number: 7494132Abstract: A roll control actuator for a stabilizer bar includes an outer housing that is fixed to a first bar portion and a shaft that is fixed to a second bar portion. The shaft is helically connected to a piston that is received within an interior chamber formed inside the outer housing. The piston separates the interior chamber into first and second fluid chambers. An anti-rotation mechanism is fixed to the outer housing and cooperates with the piston to restrict the piston to axial movement relative to the outer housing. The first and second fluid chambers are selectively pressurized to control roll stiffness by moving the piston within the outer housing.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2005Date of Patent: February 24, 2009Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLCInventor: Eric A. Smay
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Patent number: 7487973Abstract: A vehicle Active Roll Control System having a two stage spool valve that provides hydraulic fluid at different pressures to front and rear actuators for varying the torque applied to associated roll bars.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2005Date of Patent: February 10, 2009Assignee: Kelsey-Hayes CompanyInventors: Dirk Kesselgruber, Harry Hunnicutt
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Patent number: 7483776Abstract: An apparatus and a method for detecting a vehicle rollover are provided, which apparatus and method use the signals from tire sensors to determine the plausibility of the detection of a vehicle rollover.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2003Date of Patent: January 27, 2009Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventor: Thomas Lich
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Publication number: 20090020964Abstract: A roll control system comprising a front torsion bar; a front first hydraulic actuator; a front second hydraulic actuator; a rear torsion bar; a rear first hydraulic actuator; a rear second hydraulic actuator; and control means connected to the hydraulic actuators and controlling the operation thereof on detection of a predetermined vehicle condition; wherein each hydraulic actuator comprises a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber; wherein the control means comprises a source of fluid pressure, a fluid reservoir, a pressure control valve fluidly connected between the pressure source and the reservoir, and at least three pressure relief valves each having two positions to fluidly connect the fluid chambers of the hydraulic actuators either to the pressure source or to the fluid reservoir; wherein the pressure relief valves are positioned on detection of the predetermined vehicle condition to apply a fluid pressure to the first fluid chamber of the first front hydraulic actuator and to the second fluiType: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2008Publication date: January 22, 2009Inventor: Philippe Germain
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Patent number: 7467684Abstract: A thruster system is provided for a vehicle that can be used to reduce the roll propensity of a motor vehicle. The system utilizes a control system and multiple sets of thrusters which are strategically placed upon the vehicle. The control system is provided for detecting a potential roll condition and activates selected ones of the thrusters to produce a necessary thrust force for counteracting roll forces. The thrusters are connected to an on-board pressurized gas source that generates the anti-roll thrust force.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2005Date of Patent: December 23, 2008Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Jenne-Tai Wang, Robert A. Lutz
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Patent number: 7454276Abstract: A vehicle behavior judgment system comprising a rolling angular velocity detector adapted for detecting a rolling angular velocity of a vehicle, a rollover judgment device adapted for judging, based on at least a rolling angular velocity of a vehicle, whether the vehicle rolls over or not, and a noise-cutting filter adapted for removing a noise component from the rolling angular velocity.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2005Date of Patent: November 18, 2008Assignee: Calsonic Kansei CorporationInventor: Toshikatsu Sawahata
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Publication number: 20080258412Abstract: A roll regulation actuator for installation between two axially aligned rods, in particular between two rods of a stabilizer, includes a cylindrical housing and a device arranged in the housing for providing a torque acting on at least one of the rods. The device includes a first piston displaceable in the housing with a first piston rod having a first thread. The device further includes a first ball nut rotatably mounted in the housing. The first ball nut engages the first piston rod via a first counter-thread matching the first thread, and is able to be coupled to one end of a first rod. The device further includes a first pressure chamber acting on a first side of the first piston.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2005Publication date: October 23, 2008Inventor: Dirk Kesselgruber
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Patent number: 7427073Abstract: An active roll control system includes a stabilizer bar, a stabilizer link having a screw gear formed therein, a rack movably connected to the outside of the stabilizer link, and an electric motor connected to the stabilizer link. The rack has a mating screw gear formed in the inner surface thereof to correspond to a screw gear of the stabilizer link.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2005Date of Patent: September 23, 2008Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.Inventor: Sung Jin Won
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Patent number: 7412314Abstract: Impending rollover events are detected by recognizing a plow phase increase in lateral acceleration, coupled with a significant trip phase roll rate. The plow phase increase is recognized by modeling a typical soil trip lateral acceleration characteristic and computing a cross-correlation between the measured lateral acceleration and the modeled acceleration. The correlation is compared to a threshold that varies with the measured roll rate to reliably discriminate rollover events from near-rollover events while enabling timely deployment of suitable occupant restraints.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2004Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Peter J. Schubert
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Patent number: 7390002Abstract: In a suspension system (20) for use in a vehicle including a body, left and right front wheels (10), and left and right rear wheels (12), a front-wheel-associated cylinder device (52) which controls a relative displacement of the left and right front wheels, and a rear-wheel-associated cylinder device (62) which controls a relative displacement of the left and right rear wheels are associated with each other with a working fluid. A first-chamber-associated valve (190) is provided in a first-chamber-associated passage (90) which connects between respective first chambers (74) of the front-wheel-associated cylinder device and the rear-wheel-associated cylinder device, such that the first-chamber-associated valve is located between the first chamber of the front-wheel-associated cylinder device and a first fluid accommodating device (200).Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2004Date of Patent: June 24, 2008Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Akira Kasamatsu
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Patent number: 7384047Abstract: In a stabilizer control apparatus for a vehicle, a stabilizer includes a pair of stabilizer bars disposed between a right wheel and a left wheel of the vehicle, and an actuator having an electric motor disposed between the stabilizer bars. A turning determination device is provided for determining a turning operation of the vehicle. And, a controller is provided for controlling the electric motor in response to the result determined by the turning determination device. The electric motor is substantially prohibited from being fed with electric current, when the turning operation of the vehicle is being decreased.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2005Date of Patent: June 10, 2008Assignees: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoshiyuki Yasui, Yuuki Ohta, Daisuke Yamada, Shuuichi Buma, Masaaki Kawashima
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Patent number: 7377522Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle (50c) having a body (52c) and a plurality of wheel support assemblies (56c, 58c) includes a tie structure (60c) interposed between the body and the wheel support assemblies. A first interconnection system (68c) interconnects the tie structure to the wheel support assemblies, and the second interconnection system (302) interconnects the tie structure and the body. The second interconnection system includes a plurality of link structures (304, 320) pivotally connected at one end to the tie structure, and pivotally connected at the opposite end to the body. Such link structures are oriented relative to the tie structure to extend towards a common point along a longitudinal axis (33B) of the tie structure.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2003Date of Patent: May 27, 2008Inventor: William L. MacIsaac
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Patent number: 7360777Abstract: A vehicle suspension system for a vehicle, including: (a) a plurality of suspension cylinders each disposed between a chassis-side member and a corresponding one of a plurality of wheel-side members; (b) a controller cylinder including a housing and at least one piston slidably mounted in the housing, such that the housing and the at least one piston cooperate to define a plurality of chambers each having a volume that is variable upon slide movement of the at least one piston relative to the housing; (c) individual conduits each communicating a corresponding one of the plurality of chambers of the controller cylinder and a chamber of a corresponding one of the plurality of suspension cylinders; and (d) a suspension-cylinder operation facilitator operable to facilitate an operation of each of the plurality of suspension cylinders for permitting displacement of each of the plurality of wheel-side members relative to the chassis-side member after the at least one piston of the controller cylinder has reached itType: GrantFiled: November 18, 2005Date of Patent: April 22, 2008Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kazuyuki Mizuno, Masaki Kanatani, Hidenori Kajino, Motohiko Honma
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Patent number: 7357416Abstract: The device for stabilizing a single-track vehicle comprises a supporting device (4) and an adjusting device (14) which is intended for selective lowering and raising of support elements and which can be actuated by way of a control device (10). The control device (10) can be influenced as a function of a combination of control signals from a speedometer which senses the speed of the vehicle and of a transverse acceleration meter. The adjusting device (14) comprises at least one supporting and actuating element (15) which can be influenced in combination by way of the control device (10) and/or by signals from the driver and is intended for extending and retracting the supporting device (4), as well as means for selective locking, unlocking, tensioning and extending of the supporting and actuating element (15). This device makes possible automatic lowering or raising of the supporting device (14) without additional operating requirements.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2003Date of Patent: April 15, 2008Assignee: Peraves AktiengesellschaftInventor: Arnold Wagner
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Publication number: 20080073864Abstract: An operating method for a single-axle roll stabilization system between the chassis and the body of a two-axle, double-track vehicle is provided, whereby energy for supporting a roll torque of the body may be introduced into the chassis via a controllable actuator, and the introduced stabilizing torque is represented as the product of a rigidity parameter and the roll angle or an alternative roll angle which corresponds to the roll angle with sufficient accuracy and is derived from a measurable variable, the rigidity parameter being freely selectable or adaptable in driving mode, depending on the travel speed of the vehicle. When the actuator is provided on the rear axle of the vehicle, the rigidity parameter, starting from a higher value, drops to lower values in a substantially monotonic manner with increasing travel speed, whereas the opposite applies for a front axle actuator.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2007Publication date: March 27, 2008Applicant: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventor: Klaus Webers
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Patent number: 7338057Abstract: Rear axle suspension system for motor vehicles, in which the wheel carriers on both sides are coupled to the body of the vehicle by at least one longitudinal link (9, 10), one transverse link (12) and a further transverse link (15, 16). In order to ensure that the axle kinematics distinguish between spring compression in the same direction and spring compression in opposite directions and a side force steering effect occurs, the transverse link (12) is a single connecting link which is connected to the two wheel carriers (3, 4) via first joints (5, 6) and connects both wheel carriers (3, 4), and the center of which (19) is guided, with respect to the body of the vehicle, in the longitudinal center plane of the vehicle, by a straight-guide (20 to 24). The straight-guide (20 to 24) is a Watt linkage (23, 24, 20).Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2001Date of Patent: March 4, 2008Assignee: Magna Steyr Fahrzeugtechnik AG & Co. KGInventors: Peter Kröpfl, Walter Schimpl
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Patent number: 7334667Abstract: Selective actuation device (1) including an actuator (5) operating on an actuation mechanism (2). The mechanism (2) is equipped with at least one shaft (7) connected to a pusher element (8) to actuate a first operating group (12, 13) and with a rotating element (53) that moves between an activation mode, in which said element (53) acts on a second operating group (9, 10), and a rest mode where the activation of the first operating group (12, 13) is disengaged by the second operating group (9, 10).Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2005Date of Patent: February 26, 2008Assignee: Piaggio & C. S.p.A.Inventor: Maurizio Marcacci
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Patent number: 7311316Abstract: In a stabilizer control apparatus for a vehicle, a stabilizer includes a pair of stabilizer bars disposed between a right wheel and a left wheel of the vehicle, and an actuator having an electric motor and a speed reducing mechanism disposed between the stabilizer bars. A turning determination device is provided for determining change in turning operation of the vehicle. And, a controller is provided for changing a control parameter of the electric motor in response to the result determined by the turning determination device, to control a torsional rigidity of the stabilizer. As for control parameters of the electric motor, may be employed a desired value of electric current for actuating the electric motor, for example.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2005Date of Patent: December 25, 2007Assignees: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoshiyuki Yasui, Shingo Urababa, Shuuichi Buma
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Patent number: 7301295Abstract: A stabilizer control device includes a stabilizer having torsion bars and a brushless motor having an exciting coil, a rotating direction switching device switching a rotating direction of the brushless motor, an excitation control device for controlling power supplied to the exciting coil, a vehicle state detecting device, a rotating state detecting device, a roll control device for reducing a rolling movement of the vehicle, a brake mode by which all the switching elements of one of the first switching element group and the second switching element group are controlled to be in a conducting state, and all the switching elements of the other of the first switching element group and the second switching element group are controlled to be in a non-conducting state; and a brake mode executing device for executing the brake mode in accordance with the state of the roll control device.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2006Date of Patent: November 27, 2007Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Daisuke Yamada
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Patent number: 7293780Abstract: A vehicle roll control system for a vehicle has a hydraulic actuator attached to a torsion bar. The system includes first and second pressure control valves fluidly connected in series between a pressure source and a reservoir, and a directional valve fluidly connected between the pressure control valves and the hydraulic actuator. The control valves are actuated to control the fluid pressure within the hydraulic actuator to either extend or compress the hydraulic actuator based on the detection of a predetermined vehicle condition for controlling vehicle roll.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2004Date of Patent: November 13, 2007Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Philippe Germain, Robin Oakley, Bruno Perree
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Publication number: 20070228675Abstract: The invention concerns a vehicle with a main body having a longitudinal axis, and with a tilting unit for tilting the main body relative to a vertical plane through the longitudinal axis, whereby the tilting unit comprises an actuator, an control unit and a power provision unit for providing a power transmitting medium via the control unit to the actuator, whereby the control unit is configured to control the power intake of the actuator, characterized in comprising at least two redundant tilting units.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2007Publication date: October 4, 2007Inventors: Andrea Tonoli, Andrea Festini, Fabio Cavalli, Stefano Carabelli, Marcello Chiaberge
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Patent number: 7277787Abstract: A method of densensitizing includes determining a relative roll angle, determining when the vehicle is in a transitional maneuver, and when the vehicle is in a transitional maneuver, setting a roll signal for control to the relative roll angle, reducing control effort and controlling a safety system (38) correspondingly.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2005Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Albert Chenouda Salib, Jianbo Lu
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Patent number: 7264251Abstract: Anti-rolling device (1) for vehicles of the type equipped with a front steer system with articulated quadrilateral structure (41, 42, 37, 36) and with two independent front suspensions (34, 35). The device has at least one stop element (2), integral with an element of the quadrilateral structure in its rolling movements, at least one locking element (3), to lock the position of the stop element (2), preventing the rolling movements of the quadrilateral structure (41, 42, 37, 36), and a parking group (4), guided by command means (20), to command the opening or closing of the locking element (3).Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2005Date of Patent: September 4, 2007Assignee: Piaggio & C. S.p.A.Inventor: Maurizio Marcacci
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Publication number: 20070182110Abstract: A stabilizer system for a vehicle including: a pair of stabilizer apparatus provided for a front-wheel side and a rear-wheel side of the vehicle, each including a stabilizer bar connected at its opposite ends to respective wheel holding members for supporting left and right wheels, an actuator which includes an electric motor and which changes, by an operation of the motor, roll-restraining force exerted by the stabilizer bar, and a driver disposed between the motor and an electric power source for driving the motor; and a control device which controls the motor of each stabilizer apparatus via the driver and thereby controls an operation of the actuator, wherein the control device includes an under-both-driver-no-power-supply-state control portion which controls at least one of the drivers of the two stabilizer apparatus to be placed into a phase-interconnection operation state in which terminals of respective phases of the motor are electrically connected to each other, when both of the drivers of the two sType: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2007Publication date: August 9, 2007Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Shingo URABABA
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Patent number: 7239952Abstract: A system that detects a lateral acceleration and roll rate of the vehicle and estimates a mass distribution parameter. The system then generates a tuned mass distribution parameter that is based on the the lateral acceleration, the roll rate, and the mass distribution parameter and introduces the tuned mass distribution parameter to a rollover stability control system.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2004Date of Patent: July 3, 2007Assignee: Continental Teves, Inc.Inventor: Geoffrey Burke Bauer
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Publication number: 20070129867Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2006Publication date: June 7, 2007Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Jihua Huang, William Lin
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Publication number: 20070114733Abstract: To provide a small-sized stabilizer control apparatus for actively restraining a roll of a vehicle body within an output range of an electric motor, and certainly providing a torsion spring characteristic inherently owned by a stabilizer bar, if the output exceeds the range. A stabilizer actuator having an electric motor and a speed reducing mechanism is disposed between a pair of stabilizer bars disposed between a right wheel and a left wheel. The inverse of the product of a normal efficiency and a reverse efficiency of the speed reducing mechanism {1/(?P·?N)} is equal to or greater than 1.17 and equal to or smaller than 3.75, and the output of the electric motor is controlled to be held or reduced, when the turning state has come to be out of such a range that the rolling motion of the vehicle body can be actively controlled.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2005Publication date: May 24, 2007Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Yoshiyuki Yasui
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Patent number: 7210688Abstract: A vehicle suspension system of a motor vehicle includes a plurality of suspension devices mounted on the vehicle with respect to right and left wheels of the vehicle, respectively, a first behavior controller that controls the motion of each of the suspension devices when a vehicle body undergoes a first behavior, and a second behavior controller that controls the motion of each of the suspension devices when the vehicle body undergoes a second behavior, independently of the first behavior controller.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2002Date of Patent: May 1, 2007Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Toshiyuki Kobayashi