Abstract: A steering control apparatus is provided, including a steering wheel, steered wheels, a direction varying actuator to operate the steering control wheels, a steering reaction actuator to apply steering reaction torque to the steering wheel and steering controller. The steered wheels are mechanically disconnected from the steering wheel. The steering controller outputs control commands for controlling the direction varying actuator and the steering reaction actuator.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A motor-driven power steering apparatus is provided with a self-aligning torque computing means for computing a self-aligning torque based on of a steering angle and a vehicle speed, a friction torque computing means for computing a friction torque in accordance with a steering angle change from a steering angular velocity, an apparent steering torque computing means for computing an apparent steering torque from the friction torque and a steering torque, and a steering torque feedback control means for driving and controlling an assist motor in such a manner that a difference between the self-aligning torque and the apparent steering torque becomes 0.

Abstract: In a system including four electromagnetic absorbers for respective four vehicle wheels, motor coils of two respective electromagnetic absorbers disposed corresponding to two diagonally located wheels are connected forming a closed loop including the coils. A generated damping force magnitude can be made different between an instance directions of respective movements of the diagonally located two wheels with respect to the vehicle body are the same, and an instance the directions are opposite each other. Each electromagnetic absorber includes a resistor cooperating with the corresponding coil forming a closed loop, and selectively establishes: a connected state in which one of the four coils and any of the other three coils are connected to form a closed loop; and a non-connected state in which the one of the four coils is not connected to any other coil. An appropriate vibration suppressing action is exhibited with respect to a coupled motion.

Abstract: A suspension control device includes a wheel grip state estimation device for estimating grip state of vehicle wheels based on variations of aligning torque of wheels to be steered, a vehicle rolling control device for controlling vehicle rolling, and a control parameter setting device for setting a control parameter of the vehicle rolling control device based on at least estimated grip state of the wheel grip state estimation device.

Abstract: An electric damper which does not transmit unbalance wheel vibration to a vehicle body is provided. A low-pass cutoff frequency setting unit and a high-pass cutoff frequency setting unit respectively set the cutoff frequencies for band-stop filters to a frequency band corresponding to unbalance wheel vibration based on a signal indicating a vehicle speed from a vehicle speed sensor, and a function as a band-stop filter comprising a low-pass filter computation unit, a high-pass filter computation unit and an adder is computed for a displacement rate of the vertical motion of a wheel calculated by a differentiating unit in a damper control unit. A damper control amount computation unit calculates a control amount of controlling an electric motor for a motor-driven damper based on the calculated filtered displacement rate, and outputs a control signal to a motor driving unit through a driving circuit output unit.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An active front-wheel vehicle steering control system that employs open-loop control that includes an adaptive compensation sub-system that compensate for changes in vehicle dynamic parameters. The control system includes a dynamic parameter estimation sub-system that provides an estimated understeer coefficient based on a front-wheel steering angle signal, a vehicle lateral acceleration signal, a vehicle yaw rate signal and a vehicle speed signal. An open-loop control sub-system generates a steering angle control signal for controlling steering of the front wheels using a combination of a nominal open-loop steering angle control signal and a corrected open-loop steering angle control signal that is based on a real-time estimated understeer coefficient.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling stiffness of an anti-roll bar for a vehicle includes an anti-roll bar provided with piezoelectric ceramics, the anti-roll bar interconnecting both lower arms of a vehicle suspension system, a power converter connected to a power supply to change an amount of electric power and to supply the electric power to the piezoelectric ceramics of the anti-roll bar, and a controller connected to the power converter to calculate an amount of the electric power needed for providing the piezoelectric ceramics with optimal stiffness based on previously stored vehicle speed and steering angle in response to data detected by a vehicle speed sensor and a steering angle sensor and to control the power converter such that the calculated electric power can be supplied to the piezoelectric ceramics.

Abstract: An Active Roll Control System for a motor vehicle that utilizes small valves to control large flows. Flow is supplied by a hydraulic pump which is powered in some fashion by the motor vehicle. Flow is directed to the actuators by a three-position-four-way valve that is controlled by two pairs of small ABS style solenoid valves. This allows for a minimum of power to be supplied by the vehicle to operate the system. Also, this valve arrangement allows a desirable failure mode whereby hydraulic fluid is locked into the hydraulic actuators, there by locking in the anti-roll bar in case of a system failure.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for operating a level control system of a motor vehicle which includes: a control apparatus, sensors for the direct or indirect determination of the distance of the vehicle chassis to the axles of the vehicle wheels; and, actuators for adjusting the distance of the vehicle chassis to these wheel axles. In the method, the control apparatus checks in a desired-actual comparison based on determined measured values whether the inclination of the vehicle chassis exceeds predetermined limit values. When these limit values are exceeded, one or several of the actuators are actuated in order to obtain a level compensation in the sense of a horizontal alignment of the vehicle chassis. To avoid a turnover of the vehicle (1) in an operating situation on a slope (2), the level compensating control activity is prevented by the control apparatus when the vehicle (1) is disposed in a slope and slant position (angles ?, ?) which is impermissible for vehicle safety.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of controlling an actuator assembly for suspension systems. The actuator assembly control method of the present invention is possible to control the actuator assembly according to conditions of vehicle velocity and steering angle or vehicle velocity and steering angular velocity, thus reducing energy consumption, thereby increasing the efficiency of the actuator assembly.

Abstract: A control system manages yaw-plane motion, while simultaneously comprehending and managing roll motion. The system reduces excessive maneuver-induced roll motion by properly shaping yaw-plane motion, which may include increasing yaw damping and/or decreasing a yaw gain, under various conditions, to avoid excessive excitation of roll dynamics.

Abstract: An active rear-wheel vehicle steering control system that employs both open-loop and closed-loop control, where the open-loop and closed-loop control include adaptive compensation sub-systems that compensate for changes in vehicle dynamic parameters. The control system includes a dynamic parameter estimation sub-system that provides an estimated front-wheel cornering compliance and rear-wheel cornering compliance based on a front-wheel steering angle signal, a rear-wheel steering angle signal, a vehicle lateral acceleration signal, a vehicle yaw rate signal and a vehicle speed signal. The closed-loop control includes active gain for each of vehicle yaw rate, vehicle yaw rate acceleration, side-slip velocity and side-slip velocity rate, all based on the vehicle speed and vehicle dynamic parameter changes.

Abstract: An absolute steering angle of a steering shaft for a vehicle is measured using rotatable bodies that rotate together with the steering shaft at respective predetermined rotation ratios. A ?M? value is obtained by measuring a relative rotational angle ?? of a first rotatable body and a ?M? value is obtained by measuring the relative rotational angle ?? of a second rotatable body. ?C's are obtained by calculating relative rotational angles ?'s of the second rotatable body corresponding to the ?M? value, using the relation between ?? and ??. A frequency i-value of the first rotatable body is obtained by comparing the ?Cs to the ?M? value. An absolute steering angle ?1 of the steering shaft is obtained based on the relation between absolute rotational angles ? and ?, after ? is obtained using the i-value.

Abstract: A rollover control method and a system thereof for accurately predicting the occurrence of a rollover and protecting passengers therefrom.

Abstract: A steering system for a vehicle includes at least one wheel that pivots to define a steering angle, wherein the steering angle is defined, at least in part, by an input from the operator, and at least one sensor adapted to monitor the roll of a vehicle body and a height of the center of gravity of the vehicle. The steering system also includes a motor operatively connected to the wheel that supplements the input to the steering angle, and a controller in communication with the sensor and operatively connected to the motor, wherein the controller is adapted to adjust the supplementation of the input to the steering angle based upon the amount of roll of the vehicle body as monitored by the sensor, and adapted to supplement the steering angle when the amount of roll of the vehicle body as monitored by the sensor exceeds a maximum value.

Abstract: Steering angle is determined by the combined use of a potentiometer and a rotary encoder, and the correction of the error in the determination of the steering angle based on the time-dependent change of the potentiometer.

Abstract: A device for controlling an over-rolling of a vehicle estimates a first parameter indicative of a rolling amount of the vehicle body, and a second parameter indicative of a change rate of the rolling amount the vehicle body. The device controls the brake system such that the brake system is actuated to accomplish a target deceleration of the vehicle when the first parameter quantity exceeds a predetermined threshold value. The target deceleration is increased from a predetermined minimum value to a predetermined maximum value according to an increase of the second parameter quantity.

Abstract: A angle sensor 103 identifies a angle phase of a rotatable member based on a kind of an identified pattern of the angle phase to detect an angular position of a steering shaft driven by a motor 6. A steering controller 100 identifies a rotational direction based on an identified pattern output of the angle and performs a sampling of the pattern output at a predetermined interval, identifies an order of combination order of the identified pattern of an angle phase in a first sampling and a second sampling following to the first sampling, and determines a pattern exchange number with the rotational direction from the order in the first sampling to the order in the second sampling.

Abstract: An anti-roll suspension system for a vehicle, including a steer able axle assembly mounting a pair of laterally spaced wheels on a vehicle chassis, a spring assembly supporting the chassis on each of the axle assemblies, a lever attaching each spring assembly to the vehicle chassis, and a roll compensating linkage connected to the lever of each spring assembly and being responsive to a steering movement to the chassis to translate the steering movement to a vertical movement on the suspension of the chassis to simultaneously lift the outside turn side of the vehicle and lower the inside turn side of the vehicle thereby counteracting roll of the chassis when in a turn.

Abstract: A rolling control apparatus and method for controlling rolling of a vehicle controls braking force applied to at least one wheel of the vehicle. The apparatus and method set a target roll angle of the vehicle based on a rolling state of the vehicle, calculate a total control quantity for achieving the target roll angle, based on a running condition of the vehicle, and control the braking force applied to each wheel of the vehicle, based on the total control quantity.

Abstract: A vehicle behavior control device includes a turning limit state detecting device for detecting a turning limit state of a vehicle and an engine output control device for performing a torque-down control by decreasing an engine output when the turning limit state of the vehicle is detected.

Abstract: A module having an angle-sensor mechanism, an energy-transmission device and an information-transmission device comprises at least two circuit boards (1, 2). One circuit board (1) forms the stator with respect to the angle-sensor mechanism, while the other board (2) forms the rotor with respect to the mechanism. The stator includes the primary coil for the angle-sensor mechanism, as well as an exciting coil for the transmission of energy and information. The rotor includes the secondary coil of the angle-sensor mechanism, as well as a receiver coil, for the transmission of energy and information. The exciting coil and the receiver coil are disposed in circular fashion on the respective circuit board, thereby creating a coupling for the exciting coil and the receiver coil that is independent of the angle. The exciting coil and the receiver coil are used for transmitting both energy and information. The energy transmission is typically effected with a medium frequency of, for example, 25 kHz.

Abstract: A vehicle roll control system uses two accelerometers (38, 40) on the vehicle to detect body roll and then filters out higher frequency roll movements as indicative of a rough road surface. The system also monitors vehicle speed, and increases roll stiffness in response to measured increase in vehicle speed, but decreases roll stiffness in response to detected rough road surfaces.

Abstract: An assembly for use as part of a vehicle suspension system includes an adjustable roll rate that is automatically adjusted responsive to maneuvers of the vehicle. A stiffener element is coupled with a stabilizer bar. The stiffener element increases the roll rate responsive to the vehicle wheels being turned. In one example, the stiffener element is a metallic plate that rotates into various positions responsive to the vehicle wheel being turned. The further the wheel turns, the further the plate rotates and the greater the increase in the roll rate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rear-wheel steering angle control device which is capable of drastically reducing the man-hours required for setting a gain of a target rear-wheel steering angle relative to a front-wheel steering angle. The rear-wheel steering angle control device includes a target rear-wheel steering angle calculating device which has a variable coefficient inputting device. A specific parameter (such as steady &bgr; gain) of a theoretical transfer function of physical quantity (such as vehicle-body slip angle &bgr;) relative to a front-wheel steering angle is multiplied with variable coefficients (such as K&bgr;) to a transfer function as a target transfer function (target &bgr; transfer function 5).

Abstract: In an active roll control system for a vehicle, anti-roll bars (26, 30) are provided with actuators (28, 32) which can provide a torque in the anti-roll bars to control vehicle body roll. Under certain cornering conditions when the vehicle is liable to over-steer, the pressure supply to the actuators is pulsed so that the front wheels of the vehicle tend to break away more easily, thereby reducing over-steer.

Abstract: An integrated active steering and braking control system for providing one or more corrective yaw moments to a vehicle in response to a plurality of signals indicative of operational and environmental conditions related to the vehicle is disclosed. The system comprises a reference model, an estimator, a vehicle level brake/steer controller, and an actuator controller. The reference model provides a feedforward front steering angle correction signal a feedforward rear steering angle correction signal, a desired yaw rate signal, a desired lateral velocity signal, and a desired side slip angle signal. The estimator provides an estimated surface coefficient of adhesion signal, an estimated lateral velocity signal, and an estimated side slip angle signal. In response to the signals from the reference model and the estimator, the vehicle level brake/steer controller provides either a desired speed differential signal, a desired front steering angle signal and/or a desired rear steering angle signal.

Abstract: A steering column differential angle position sensor includes an upper flux shutter and a lower flux shutter, both of which form a plurality of similarly shaped openings. Receiver and transmitter coils are coaxially aligned with the shutters. The transmitter coil provides a magnetic field around the shutters, with changes in the field being sensed by the receiver coil upon differential motion of the flux shutters. Using the output of the receiver coil, the torque on a steering column that is mechanically coupled to the shutters can be obtained.

Abstract: An arrangement for the suspension of a wheel of an automotive vehicle is disclosed. The wheel is connected to a propulsion device for driving the vehicle and a braking device for braking each individual wheel. The invention has sensors for detecting at least the angular steering displacement of the vehicle required by the vehicle driver, two steering link arms fitted between said body and attachment points in the wheel, positioned on both sides of an imaginary vertical line running through the center of the wheel, and a control unit for processing signals from the sensors and for actuating the steering link arms for adjustment of the wheel in response to the signals and the current operating state of the vehicle. Through the invention, an improved, integrated wheel suspension unit for automotive vehicles is provided, particularly allowing dynamic wheel alignment adjustment and adjustment of the angular steering displacement of each individual wheel of the vehicle.

Abstract: A closed loop steer by wire control system has three main components, a steering wheel unit, a roadwheel unit, and a master control unit. Signals generated by sensors in the steering wheel unit and roadwheel unit are passed back to the master control unit for processing. These signals include tie-rod force signals, and a steering wheel position signal. The master control unit uses these signals to calculate a steering wheel reaction torque signal which is sent back to the steering wheel unit to provide the operator with tactile feedback, while roadwheel command signals are sent to roadwheel units to provide steering direction. An Ackerman correction unit is also used to correct the left and right roadwheel positions to track about a common center.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining when a component of a work vehicle experiences vibration above a predetermined threshold, and responding to the vibration so that the vibration is reduced below the predetermined threshold. The apparatus, which is in a work vehicle that includes a chassis, an operator's cab and an active cab suspension system, includes a sensor that is configured to sense a quantity representative of the vibration experienced by the component of the work vehicle and to develop a first signal indicative of that quantity. The apparatus also includes a signal processor that is coupled to the sensor and is configured to develop, in response to the first signal, a second signal indicative of whether the vibration experienced by the component is above the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A steering angle detecting mechanism of this invention comprises: a plurality of photocouplers for detecting a steering angle of a steering wheel; a timer circuit for setting time; a first power source control unit which is controlled by the set time of the timer circuit and intermittently drives one of the plurality of photocouplers; a second power source control unit for driving the rest of the plurality of photocouplers; a wake-up circuit for generating a wake-up signal when a detection value of the single photocoupler is different from the immediately preceding detection value of the single photocoupler; and a micro control unit which is switched between a sleep mode and a wake-up mode.

Abstract: An arrangement for the suspension of a wheel of an automotive vehicle is disclosed. The wheel is connected to a propulsion device for driving the vehicle and a braking device for braking each individual wheel. The invention has sensors for detecting at least the angular steering displacement of the vehicle required by the vehicle driver, two steering link arms fitted between said body and attachment points in the wheel, positioned on both sides of an imaginary vertical line running through the center of the wheel, and a control unit for processing signals from the sensors and for actuating the steering link arms for adjustment of the wheel in response to the signals and the current operating state of the vehicle. Through the invention, an improved, integrated wheel suspension unit for automotive vehicles is provided, particularly allowing dynamic wheel alignment adjustment and adjustment of the angular steering displacement of each individual wheel of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle roll rigidity control device comprises a control unit and an actuator which can adjust an attenuation force installed between the vehicle front wheel and body. The control unit reduces the attenuation force of the actuator and increases the ability of the vehicle to turn around when the vehicle is in a turn transient state. When the sequential steering operation to the left and right is performed, the controller increases the attenuation force of the actuator and increase the roll rigidity of the front wheels.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system (1) which provides roll control comprises a pair of hydraulic actuators (2, 3) mounted at wheels on opposite sides of the vehicle chassis, each hydraulic actuator (2, 3) being connected between the wheel and the chassis. Each hydraulic actuator (2, 3) has a fluid filled variable volume fluid chamber (8, 9) defined by a cylinder (4, 5) and piston (6, 7), one part being connected to the wheel and the other part to the chassis. An hydraulic accumulator (12, 13) is connected to each fluid chamber via a fluid transfer line (14, 15) to act as a spring with damping means being provided by a flow restrictor orifice (10, 11). A pump (16) communicates via fluid transfer lines (14, 15) between both hydraulic actuator fluid chambers (8, 9) through a control valve (19) which is operable to isolate both chambers (8, 9) from each other and from the pump (16) or to selectively connect one chamber (8, 9) to an inlet (17) of the pump (16) and the other chamber (8, 9) to an outlet of the pump (16).

Abstract: A device for determining the angular position of the steering wheel in a motor vehicle uses a steering angle sensor and an electronic evaluation device for determining the angular position. The steering angle sensor is integrated in a contact unit for transmitting energy and data from stationary subassemblies of the vehicle to the steering wheel and vice versa. Preferably, the steering angle sensor is disposed as part of a stator and rotor in a contact unit which operates in a contactless manner and comprises the stator and the rotor. In this way, the steering angle sensor does not require any additional space for installation and costs are reduced.

Abstract: A hydraulic apparatus is used in an industrial vehicle. The apparatus has a hydraulic cylinder interposed between a vehicle frame and an axle swingably coupled to the frame. A passage connects a first chamber with a second chamber defined by a piston in a cylinder case. The piston is movable based on differential pressure in the chambers. A cylinder rod selectively extends and retracts in respect with the cylinder case to absorb a swinging motion of the axle. The passage is selectively open and closed based on at least one of a traveling state and a loading state of the vehicle. The piston has a first surface defining the first chamber and a second surface defining the second chamber. The first surface has an area equal to that of the second surface.