Abstract: A utility vehicle includes a frame and a plurality of ground-engaging members supporting the frame. Each of the plurality of ground-engaging members is configured to rotate about an axle. The utility vehicle further includes a powertrain assembly supported by the frame and a braking system configured to operate in a normal run mode and an anti-lock braking mode. The braking system includes an anti-lock braking control module operably coupled to the plurality of ground-engaging members and configured to automatically engage the anti-lock braking mode in response to a predetermined condition.

Abstract: A vehicle has an engine, a limited slip differential (LSD) mounted on an axle driven by the engine, and left and right wheels operably connected to the LSD. At least one parameter indicative of a riding condition of the vehicle is determined. A slippery driving condition is detected based on the at least one parameter. The LSD is selectively locked in response to the detection. The slippery driving condition is detected when a torque requested by a user is above a load line of the engine, upon successive wheel slips occurrences, and/or when a wheel slip is detected while a preload is applied to the LSD.

Abstract: A remote control device includes an electric drive unit controlling a control member, a position detection unit detecting a position of the control member, a control unit controlling operation of the electric drive unit, a reference position storage unit storing information related to a reference position of the control member, and an operation range setting unit setting an operation range of the control member from the reference position based on an output of the electric drive unit when the control member is displaced by the electric drive unit.

Abstract: An automatic tilting vehicle includes a pair of wheels that are non-steering driving wheels, a braking/driving device, a vehicle tilting device, and a control device, and the control unit calculates a target tilt angle of the vehicle for tilting the vehicle turning inward and controls the vehicle tilting device so that a tilt angle of the vehicle becomes the target tilt angle. The control unit calculates target braking/driving forces of the pair of wheels based on a braking/driving operation of a driver, corrects the target braking/driving forces so that a difference between vertical forces acting on the wheels caused by the braking/driving forces of the pair of wheels is reduced, and controls the braking/driving device such that braking/driving forces of the pair of wheels becomes the corrected target braking/driving forces.

Abstract: A vehicle control device is applied to a vehicle having a driving mechanism for transmitting a driving force to a plurality of wheels, a braking mechanism having an electronic parking brake for generating a parking brake force for at least one of the plurality of wheels, and a coupling state control mechanism for controlling state of coupling of the plurality of wheels. The vehicle control device determines whether the electronic parking brake is in a lock stuck state in which the parking brake force cannot be canceled. When at least one of the plurality of wheels is in the lock stuck state, the vehicle control device exercises stuck state special control to loosen or cancel state of coupling between a wheel determined to be in the lock stuck state and a wheel determined to be not in the lock stuck state by controlling the coupling state control mechanism.

Abstract: A regenerative brake control system for a vehicle includes a vehicle controller, a driveline torque distribution device interfacing with the vehicle controller, an electric machine interfacing with the driveline torque distribution device, a plurality of wheels coupled to the electric machine and at least one traction condition input indicating traction of the plurality of wheels provided to the vehicle controller. The vehicle controller engages the driveline torque distribution device and the electric machine apportions regenerative brake torque to the wheels in proportion to the traction of the wheels. A regenerative brake control method for a vehicle is also disclosed.

Abstract: An antilock brake system for a vehicle having a front axle with right and left front brakes and at least one rear axle with right and left rear brakes is disclosed. The front axle includes a front differential with a front clutch and the rear axle includes a rear differential with a rear clutch. A controller is employed to control the brake torque applied through one or more brake valve assemblies and the controller may further shift brake torque from one wheel of an axle to the other wheel on the axle through a differential clutch valve assembly in the clutch of an open differential which forms part of the axle assembly.

Abstract: A brake control device that controls braking forces applied to wheels to stabilize the behavior of a vehicle turning a corner, and includes a turning condition detection unit detecting a turning condition of the vehicle; a braking amount setting unit setting braking amounts for the respective wheels based on the turning condition detected by the turning condition detection unit; a brake control unit applying braking forces to the wheels according to the braking amounts set by the braking amount setting unit; and a road surface friction coefficient estimation unit estimating a road surface friction coefficient of the road on which the vehicle is running. The braking amount setting unit changes upper limits of the braking amounts for the respective wheels according to the road surface friction coefficient when the vehicle is in a center differential lock mode or a direct four-wheel drive mode.

Abstract: A method for operating a vehicle drive train comprising a drive unit, a transmission, and an all-wheel splitter having a clutch. The all-wheel splitter is positioned between the transmission and the output and splits a transmission output torque to vary the torque distribution to driven axles of the output. The split of the output torque to the driven axles is performed by a control unit in such a way that the transmission output torque, less a predetermined nominal torque set by the all-wheel drive strategy, is transferred to a first axle while the nominal torque is transferred to a second axle. When defined operating conditions are met, a clutch monitoring function is activated and the nominal torque is replaced by a torque definition of the clutch monitoring function so that the torque which is transferred by clutch to the second driven axle, is increased, then kept constant, and thereafter reduced.

Abstract: A vehicle dynamics control (VDC) apparatus for an automotive vehicle with a differential limiting device capable of limiting at least one of a differential motion between front and rear wheel axles and a differential motion between left and right wheel axles, includes a VDC system that controls a braking force of at least one of road wheels to control vehicle cornering behavior depending on a vehicle's turning condition independently of a driver's braking action. The VDC system advances a VDC initiation timing used in a differential limited state in which at least one of the front-and-rear wheel axle differential motion and the left-and-right wheel axle differential motion is limited, in comparison with a VDC initiation timing used in a differential non-limited state in which the front-and-rear wheel axle differential motion and the left-and-right wheel axle differential motion are allowed.

Abstract: The invention concerns a steering and braking system for a motor vehicle which has wheels on opposite sides thereof. Each wheel has a brake unit that can be controlled by an operator actuating a brake device, such as a brake pedal. At least one of the brake units is controlled in response to a turning maneuver of the motor vehicle independent of the actuation of the brake pedal, so that a higher braking force is applied to an inside one of the brake units with respect to the curve than is applied to an outside one of the brake units with respect to the curve.

Abstract: A motion control apparatus for a vehicle can perform vehicle stability control. The apparatus determines that the vehicle is experiencing spin tendency when it detects a driver's specific operation that induces spin tendency and then detects a specific behavior representing spin tendency of the vehicle, and changes the conditions for initiating the vehicle stability control such that the control is initiated more easily. The specific operation may be an excessive steering operation in the turning direction or a load moving operation which increases the load acting on the front wheels. The specific behavior may be disagreement between behavior of steering angle and behavior of actual yaw rate of the vehicle. Accordingly, the occurrence of relatively slow spin tendency caused by the above “specific operation” can be detected with certainty. Further, upon detection of spin tendency, vehicle stability control is early initiated and executed, whereby stability of the vehicle is maintained.

Abstract: A control method for a four-wheel drive vehicle such that the control is changed in braking the vehicle, includes the steps of detecting an ON/OFF status of a braking operation, detecting an accelerator opening or throttle opening greater than or equal to a predetermined value and setting the status of the braking operation to be OFF, for purposes of the control method, when the detected acceleration opening or throttle opening is greater than or equal to the predetermined value simultaneously with a detection of the status of the braking operation to be ON.

Abstract: When supplied with a signal for correcting a vehicle behavior is input from a brake controller, an electrically-driven parking brake controller releases actuation of an electrically-driven parking brake when the electrically-driven parking brake is actuated. When supplied with a brake control amount when abnormality occurs in a main brake system is input the electrically-driven parking brake controller drives electric motors to generate the brake control amount concerned. Furthermore, when supplied with the brake control amount of the electrically-driven parking brake 30 from an ACC system, the electrically-driven parking brake controller drives the electric motors to generate the brake control amount concerned. The front-and-rear driving force distribution controller directly couples the front shaft and the rear shaft when the electrically-driven parking brake is actuated.

Abstract: A motion control apparatus for a four-wheel drive vehicle performs over-steer suppressing control when the vehicle is in an over-steer state so as to apply a braking force to a front wheel located on the outer side of a turning locus without lowering engine output, and performs LSD control for the front/rear wheels when the obtained difference between wheel speeds of the left and right wheels exceeds an allowable limit so as to apply a braking force for suppressing idle rotation to the one of the left and right wheels that is of higher wheel speed. During execution of the over-steer suppression control, the braking force for suppressing front-wheel idle rotation to be imparted to the front wheel located on the inner side of the turning locus by means of the front-wheel-side LSD control is lowered, whereby the rear wheels become unlikely to produce excessive idle rotation.

Abstract: In a vehicle dynamics control (VDC) system for a four-wheel-drive vehicle employing a brake control system regulating braking forces applied to road wheels independently of each other and a differential mechanism controlling a differential motion between front and rear wheel axles, a VDC controller controls a braking force of each road wheel depending on whether the vehicle is in oversteering or understeering. The VDC controller includes a braking-force compensation section that compensates for a braking force of at least one of a first wheel, which is subjected to vehicle dynamics control, and a second wheel to which a transferred braking force is transferred from the first wheel through the differential mechanism, to reduce a braking force of the second wheel and to prevent the braking force of the second wheel from exceeding a lateral grip limit of the second wheel during the vehicle dynamics control.

Abstract: An antiskid control system for a four-wheel-drive vehicle is arranged to calculate a difference between an average of wheel accelerations of front wheels and an average of wheel acceleration of rear wheels. When the difference is greater than or equal to the vibration determination threshold, the antiskid control system determines that a driveline vibration is generated and executes a control for converging the driveline vibration.

Abstract: An antiskid control system for a four-wheel-drive vehicle is arranged to calculate a difference between an average of wheel accelerations of front wheels and an average of wheel acceleration of rear wheels. When the difference is greater than or equal to the vibration determination threshold, the antiskid control system determines that a driveline vibration is generated and executes a control for converging the driveline vibration.

Abstract: Method and device for controlling the braking action of at least one wheel brake of a four-wheel-drive motor vehicle having at least one rear axle and one front axle. A first rpm signal representing the speeds of rotation of the front-axle wheels and a second rpm signal representing the speeds of rotation of the rear-axle wheels are detected. The difference between the first and second rpm signals is then determined, and braking action is controlled as a function of the difference that has been determined.

Abstract: A method for controlling a braking system in an all-wheel drive vehicle having a viscous coupling or a viscous lock, wherein a viscous torque acting on a wheel is estimated, the viscous torque is taken into account in estimating a desired braking pressure for the wheel, and the desired braking pressure is applied to the wheel.

Abstract: A vehicle is equipped with a coupling such as, for example, a center differential or a variable clutch, that transmits a driving force from an engine to a front-wheel drive shaft and a rear-wheel drive shaft while allowing a difference in rotational speed therebetween and a brake controller that individually controls braking forces to be applied to wheels in accordance with a running state of the vehicle. A vehicular brake controller prohibits braking force control from being started if the coupling is in its locked state or when the coupling causes a relatively great connecting strength to exist between the front-wheel and rear-wheel drive shafts. While braking force control is being performed by the brake controller, braking force control is continued even if there is a command to cause the coupling to be locked or to achieve the great coupling strength.

Abstract: A vehicle includes multiple wheels, a locking drive differential, and a stability controller. A first wheel is mechanically coupled to a second wheel. The locking drive differential mechanically couples the second wheel to a third wheel. The stability controller is coupled to the third wheel. The stability controller is programmed to attain a slip rate of about the first and the second wheel at the third wheel, which stabilizes the vehicle in an over-steer condition. The method applies a modulated stability pressure to the third wheel until the third wheel attains about the combined slip rate of the first wheel and the second wheel and a fourth wheel is rotating at about the velocity of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for braking force distribution control for a vehicle with a direct four wheel drive mode, which does not become an obstacle to an effective braking force and disconcert the driver's feeling. This method relates to a braking force distribution control for a vehicle during direct four wheel drive mode and under the condition that the anti-skid control is inhibited, which does not operate pressure reduction control or the amount of pressure reduction.

Abstract: A traction control apparatus for a four-wheel drive vehicle simultaneously sets an equal control amount &Dgr;VWRL=&Dgr;VWRR for brake devices on the side of rear-left and rear-right wheels if at least one of the rear wheels is driven with a low grip degree. Thereby the slip tendency of the rear wheels is weakened, and the behavior of the vehicle is shifted in a stabilizing direction.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for estimating a vehicle speed of a vehicle in which a driving state can be switched between a four-wheel drive (4WD) state and a two-wheel drive (2WD) state. The driving state of the vehicle can be determined based on one or more pieces of information. A controller calculates the vehicle speed based on a wheel speed of at least one non-driven wheel when it is determined that the vehicle is in the 2WD state. When it is determined that the vehicle is not in the 2WD state or when it cannot be determined that the vehicle is in the 2WD state, the controller calculates the vehicle speed based on the lowest one and/or the second lowest one of the wheel speeds of all of the wheels. Further, an apparatus and method for performing predetermined control, such as behavior control or traction control, that perform the control by using the estimated vehicle speed.

Abstract: In an engine brake control method for a vehicle provided with a variable-speed V-belt drive including a drive pulley having a movable sheave, a driven pulley, and a V belt extended between the drive pulley and the driven pulley, a position of an engine brake regulating member is detected by a detector. The engine brake regulating member limits an extent of an outward axial movement of the movable sheave of the drive pulley so as to regulate a maximum V-groove width of the drive pulley. A position of the engine brake regulating member is controlled by a controller based on a position signal sent from the detector to the controller. The controller operates an actuator to move the engine brake regulating member so that the engine brake regulating member is located at a desired position relative to the movable sheave of the drive pulley.

Abstract: Method and device for controlling the braking action of at least one wheel brake of a four-wheel-drive motor vehicle having at least one rear axle and one front axle. A first rpm signal representing the speeds of rotation of the front-axle wheels and a second rpm signal representing the speeds of rotation of the rear-axle wheels are detected. The difference between the first and second rpm signals is then determined, and braking action is controlled as a function of the difference that has been determined.

Abstract: A method of initiating a neutral tow feature in a four-wheel drive vehicle. To initiate the neutral tow feature, an input signal is received from at least one signal generating device. Thereafter, it is determined if the at least one signal indicates that a precondition has been met. If the precondition has been met, then the neutral tow feature is automatically engaged.

Abstract: A method for controlling a braking system in an all-wheel drive vehicle having a viscous coupling or a viscous lock, wherein a viscous torque acting on a wheel is estimated, the viscous torque is taken into account in estimating a desired braking pressure for the wheel, and the desired braking pressure is applied to the wheel.

Abstract: Provided is a braking force control apparatus for vehicles capable of performing appropriate vehicle braking even in a road-contactless state of a wheel. The braking force control apparatus is adapted to a four-wheel drive vehicle having a center differential for distributing and transmitting driving force to the front wheels and rear wheels and a braking system capable of exerting braking force on each of the front and rear wheels, based on voluntary switching between braking according to driver's brake-pedal actuation and forced braking independent of the brake-pedal actuation. It is determined whether the vehicle is in an engine brake state and it is then determined whether at least one of the wheels is in the road-contactless state.

Abstract: A working vehicle such as an agricultural tractor includes a control device having an accelerating drive mode to accelerate front wheels automatically to rotate faster than rear wheels when the front wheels are steered in excess of a fixed amount. When the rotating speed of an engine falls below a predetermined value, a shift to the accelerating drive mode is inhibited to avoid an engine stall.

Abstract: A braking control system for agricultural tractors comprises:of the type having a pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels with at least one pair being driven through a differential and wherein individual wheel brakes are individually controlled through a hydraulic braking control unit which in turn is controlled by an electronic control unit which causes the braking control unit to apply braking pressure to slow the wheels on the inside of the steering bend in response to signals received by a steering angle sensor.

Abstract: In an anti-skid control braking system for a four-wheel drive vehicle with a feature of determination of a road wheel drive state according to the present invention, a determination of an actual drive state of the four-wheel drive vehicle, namely, a determination of whether the four-wheel drive vehicle is running in a two-wheel drive state in which a driving force generated by an engine via a power transmission is distributed through a transfer only toward mainly driven road wheels (rear road wheel pair) or in a four-wheel drive state in which the driving force is distributed through the transfer toward the mainly driven road wheels and secondarily driven road wheels (front road wheel pair) at a predetermined distribution ratio is based on at least one of front and left road wheel speeds (V.sub.WFL, V.sub.WFR, and V.sub.WR) which is detected for the rear road wheel pair without installation of a special-purpose switch (or sensor) especially used to detect the drive state of the four-wheel drive vehicle.

Abstract: An antilock brake system (ABS) control apparatus for a four-wheel drive vehicle, having a slope identifier for determining the drive status of the vehicle along a slope before an ABS control is started, and a controller that changes the usual ABS control to a control in which the ABS control is restricted on condition that the state of the drive along the slope has been decided, whereby the braking distance of the vehicle during the drive along the slope can be shortened.

Abstract: A method is provided to detect, without the use of G-sensors, possible cascade locking in a four-wheel drive vehicle equipped with wheel speed sensors. The method measures the speed of each wheel with the respective wheel-speed sensor, and derives an estimated vehicle speed and a front and rear speed difference between the front and rear wheel speeds from the wheel speeds. When the deceleration of the estimated vehicle speed is smaller than a first threshold value and the absolute value of the front and rear speed difference is larger than a second threshold value, and if the change in the speed of the front wheels is smaller than the change in the front and rear speed difference at a time when the absolute value of the difference diminishes, then cascade locking of the four wheels is deemed to be starting.

Abstract: In an anti-skid control braking system for a four-wheel drive vehicle with a feature of determination of a road wheel drive state according to the present invention, a determination of an actual drive state of the four-wheel drive vehicle, namely, a determination of whether the four-wheel drive vehicle is running in a two-wheel drive state in which a driving force generated by an engine via a power transmission is distributed through a transfer only toward mainly driven road wheels (rear road wheel pair) or in a four-wheel drive state in which the driving force is distributed through the transfer toward the mainly driven road wheels and secondarily driven road wheels (front road wheel pair) at a predetermined distribution ratio is based on at least one of front and left road wheel speeds (V.sub.WFL, V.sub.WFR, and V.sub.WR) which is detected for the rear road wheel pair without installation of a special-purpose switch (or sensor) especially used to detect the drive state of the four-wheel drive vehicle.

Abstract: A modified antilock system/wheel slip control system arrangement is provided whose logic provides the use of the wheel slip control system valve as the actuating valve for the compressed-air cylinder used for engaging the differential lock of a limited-slip differential. The wheel slip control system valve or actuating valve will become operative, when a wheel slip control system control operation is started or when a coefficient of adhesion difference is recognized between the right and the left driving wheel of the vehicle at a pressure below a pressure threshold which engages the differential lock, to carry out the conventional wheel slip control system brake control. Once a maximum speed is reached and the adhesion difference is minimized, the wheel slip control system valve is fully opened to engage the differential lock.

Abstract: An antiskid control device for use in a motor vehicle which can be changed over to 2WD and 4WD by a changeover member, comprising: a drive signal output member for outputting a drive signal indicating that the changeover member is set to one of 2WD and 4WD such that changeover between antiskid control for 2WD and antiskid control for 4WD is performed in accordance with the drive signal; and a drive mode judging member which detects from behaviors of wheels of the motor vehicle that an actual drive mode of the motor vehicle is 2WD when the drive signal indicates that the changeover member is set to 4WD; wherein when the drive mode judging member has detected that the actual drive mode of the motor vehicle is 2WD, antiskid control for 4WD is changed over to antiskid control for 2WD.

Abstract: A control device for an automotive vehicle comprises a differential disposed between wheels or wheel axles of a vehicle an antiskid brake control device to control an antiskid brake device which is capable of adjusting a brake pressure applied to a brake device of the vehicle to prevent wheels of the vehicle from locking, a differential limiting control device having a differential limiting device being capable of controlling and transferring a differential limit to the differential, and operating to decrease the differential limit while the antiskid brake device is operating, such that when either the antiskid brake control device or said differential control device fails, the non-failing control device receives a failure signal from the failing control device and the non-failing control device controls the vehicle towards a stable condition or increases a brake force.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an arrangement for controlling a braking force applied to each of front and rear road wheels of a four-wheel drive vehicle depending upon a braking condition, with a hydraulic braking pressure supplied to each of the wheel brake cylinders through an actuator. The actuator is controlled by a braking force controller into which output signals of wheel speed sensors are fed. On the basis of the wheel speeds detected by the sensors, a wheel acceleration of each road wheel is calculated. Also, an oscillation of a relative movement between the front and rear road wheels is determined. And, a coefficient of friction of a road is estimated in accordance with the wheel acceleration and the oscillation. For example, it is estimated that the road is of a relatively low coefficient of friction, when a mean wheel acceleration of all road wheels becomes less than a predetermined standard acceleration, and when the oscillation is caused to exceed a predetermined level.

Abstract: Under conditions which indicate all wheels are unstable, all have been in pressure decrease for a long time, and the vehicle reference velocity has been continuously negatively corrected for a long time, recovery are flags set on all wheels. If all recovery flags are set and four wheel drive axle oscillations are present and the reference velocity has not been in negative correction for too long, the gradient of the vehicle reference velocity is limited to a fixed lesser slope. If one or more recovery flags are set, other measures can be taken, including flattening of the vehicle reference velocity through gradual additions to the calculated vehicle acceleration, and giving longer pressure holds and delaying pressure increase. The recovery flag is reset separately on each wheel only when that specific wheel becomes completely stable.

Abstract: A method of controlling the driving state of a vehicle in which an antilock brake control for eliminating a locking tendency of a wheel during braking can be carried out, and a four-wheel drive state and a two-wheel drive state can be switched from one to another. A monitored estimated vehicle speed is calculated on the basis of highest one of wheel speeds of the vehicle wheels and a value is detected by a longitudinal acceleration/deceleration sensor for detecting a longitudinal acceleration or deceleration of a vehicle speed, and a judgement speed is determined at a value lower than the monitored estimated vehicle speed. The vehicle speed is also independently determined based upon the speed of each of the vehicle wheels. The four-wheel drive state is switched to the two-wheel drive state in response to highest one of vehicle speeds independently calculated on the basis of the wheel speeds becoming equal to or less than the judgement speed in the four-wheel drive state.

Abstract: An anti-skid brake control system for a four-wheel drive vehicle employs a transfer which distributes a driving torque to front and rear differentials, a front-wheel mean revolution-speed sensor, a rear-wheel mean revolution-speed sensor, and a four-wheel-drive control section. The four-wheel-drive control section controls a driving-torque distribution ratio of the transfer based on the two mean revolution-speeds detected by the sensors. The system comprises an anti-skid brake control section intercommunicated with the four-wheel-drive control section. The anti-skid brake control section controls a wheel-brake cylinder pressure of each road wheel based on at least a revolution-speed of one of the front road wheels, a revolution-speed of the other wheel of the front road wheels, and the mean revolution-speed detected by the rear-wheel mean revolution-speed sensor. An additional sensor is provided at the one front wheel.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting an incorrect indication of front-rear locked four-wheel drive operation of a vehicle capable of both front-rear locked four-wheel drive and unlocked two-wheel drive. The relative speed difference, defined as the absolute value of the difference between the rear wheel velocity and the arithmetic average of the front wheel velocities divided by the vehicle reference speed, is measured repeatedly. A count of measured relative speed differences greater than a relative speed threshold is calculated. The incorrect indication is detected when the count exceeds a rejection threshold. The relative speed threshold is predetermined based on histograms of relative speed data for two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive modes of operation. Once an incorrect indication is detected, modifications are made to the antilock brake system control algorithm.

Abstract: Dynamic braking on the all wheel drive front wheel motors of a motor grader is implemented by turning on all the wheel drive system, depressing the inching pedal, sensing brake pressure, determining ground speed, determining a pump set point current using the ground speed, and setting actual pump current to 90% of set point current. Both sides of the drive loop are monitored and the high side pressure is used to control loop pressure. Motor displacement which is normally controlled by shift lever position is set to low displacement for braking. When the all wheel drive system is turned off, the inching pedal is released, or there is a loss of brake pressure the all wheel drive system disengages. The pump upstrokes to provide an anti-lock feature when the desired brake pressure is less than 30% of the set point. The pump upstrokes to reduce pressure and thereby limit maximum pressure when the desired brake pressure exceeds 30,000 kPa.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting a braking event on a high mu surface while in four-wheel drive and modifying the anti-lock brake control accordingly. The method includes determining whether the vehicle is braking on a high mu surface and inhibiting brake pressure application to the rear wheels until it is determined the vehicle is braking on a high mu surface. The system includes wheel speed sensors, an electronic control unit and control valves for carrying out the method.