Abstract: The invention relates to a method for providing a diagnosis of at least one technical system (1) of a motor vehicle (2). The invention further relates to a diagnostic system (10) and a motor vehicle (2).

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, an apparatus for adaptively performing diagnostics in a vehicle is provided. The apparatus includes at least one microcontroller and a communication controller. The at least one microcontroller is positioned in a vehicle and is configured to provide first information indicative of operating characteristics for at least one switch in the vehicle. The communication controller is configured to receive the first information from the at least one microcontroller and to wirelessly transmit the first information to a remote server. The communication controller is further configured to receive second information related to a remaining useful life (RUL) for the at least one switch from the remote server and to transmit the second information to the at least one microcontroller to determine when the at least one switch will exhibit a failure.

Abstract: An evaporated fuel processing device may include: a canister; a purge passage through which purge gas sent from the canister to an intake passage passes; a pump; a control valve disposed on the purge passage and configured to switch between a communication state and a cutoff state; a specifying device configured to specify an evaporated fuel concentration of the purge gas in the purge passage when the purge gas is to be supplied from the canister to the intake passage. A controller may be configured to switch the control valve based on at least a first cycle and a second cycle which is longer than the first cycle. The specifying device may specify the evaporated fuel concentration of the purge gas in the purge passage while the pump is active and the control valve is in the cutoff state in the second cycle.

Abstract: A method and a device estimate a profile depth of a tire of a vehicle during operation of the vehicle. The method measures signals from a piezoelectric element which is disposed on an inner side of the tire in a region which deforms in the event of tread shuffle. The measured signals or actual data derived from the signals are compared with comparison data. The comparison data contain data sets which each indicate signals to be expected for a profile depth or actual data which are to be expected. The profile depth is then estimated on the basis of the comparison of the signals or of the actual data with the comparison data.

Abstract: An approach is provided for processing and/or facilitating a processing of sensor information associated with one or more parked vehicles to determine one or more parking conditions, wherein at least one subset of the one or more parked vehicles is configured with one or more automatic movement systems. The approach involves determining at least one adjustment to the one or more of the parked vehicles based, at least in part, on the one or more parking conditions. The approach further involves causing, at least in part, (a) a presentation of at least one notification regarding the one or more parking conditions, the at least one adjustment, or a combination thereof (b) an activation of the one or more automatic movement systems to perform the at least one adjustment; or (c) a combination thereof.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring health of one or more subsystems of a vehicle system are disclosed. At least one sensor can be operatively coupled to a vehicle subsystem having an operational signature and a control system is coupled to the at least one sensor. Using information provided by the at least one sensor, the control system is structured to generate a reference signature of the subsystem during a learning phase and an operational signature of the subsystem subsequent to the learning phase. Systems and methods for identifying the particular subsystem exhibiting degraded performance are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for detecting a pedestrian impact, at least three acceleration sensors being provided which are respectively mounted on the inner side of the bumper cladding and each generate a signal. The pedestrian impact is detected as a function of a time offset between at least two of the three signals. The impact location is identified on the basis of the at least one time offset.

Abstract: A method, device, and/or medium associated with managing vehicle maintenance activities may include monitoring data associated with an operating condition of a particular vehicle and updating historic operational data associated with the particular vehicle based on the data associated with the operating condition of the particular vehicle. The updated historic operational data may be updated with a predetermined maintenance standard associated with a substantially similar type of vehicle and a maintenance recommendation may be generated based, at least in part, on a result of the comparing.

Abstract: A solution for evaluating an object using infrared data is provided. In particular, infrared data corresponding to the object is processed to enhance a set of signal features. The infrared data is analyzed to determine whether one or more anomalies are present.

Abstract: A cooling system according to an exemplary embodiment may include a heat generation device that is cooled by a coolant solution that exchanges heat with the heat generation device to maintain the heat generation device at a required temperature. More specifically, the cooling system includes a temperature sensor that detects a temperature of the coolant solution, a conductivity sensor that detects the conductivity of the coolant solution, and a controller that uses coolant solution temperature and coolant solution conductivity that are detected through the temperature sensor and the conductivity sensor to determine a condition of the coolant solution.

Abstract: A method, a system and a harvester (100) are arranged to detect a steady operating state of the harvester (100). A crop sensor (178b, 178c, 178e, 178f, 178g) senses a crop parameter. A processing result sensor (172a, 172b, 174, 178a, 178d) senses at least one processing result parameter. The crop parameter, the processing result parameter and time derivatives of the crop parameter and the processing result parameter are submitted as input signals to a fuzzy logic circuit (222). The fuzzy logic circuit (222) is configured to generate a binary steady state signal value indicating a steady state of the crop processing in the harvesting machine based upon the input signals.

Abstract: A visual steering wheel direction indicator for a self-propelled machine. The indicator may additionally exhibit an indicator of the amount that the steering wheel must be turned in order to reach neutral. The indicator may be integrated into a neutral start system and may include dedicated direction indicators that function independently of the main operator display.

Abstract: A system for monitoring components within a vehicle to determine if chassis damage may have occurred. The system has a controller which receives data from at least one sensor connected to a component on the vehicle and compares the data to a threshold value or potential-damage range of values. If the data is above the threshold value, or within the potential-damage range, the controller sends a potential-chassis-damage notification signal. The signal may be sent to an instrument panel giving a service chassis indication, stored in an on-board storage device to be accessed later, or sent outside of the vehicle to a remote receiver.

Abstract: The failure sign detection apparatus includes an abnormality detector to make a comparison between a failure detection parameter of a vehicle device mounted on a vehicle and a predetermined abnormality detection threshold, and make a determination whether there is an abnormality in the vehicle device based on a result of the comparison, a failure sign evaluation index calculator to calculate a failure sign evaluation index for evaluating a sign of failure of the vehicle device based on an abnormality duration period over which the detected abnormality continues and a parameter threshold difference indicative of a difference between the abnormality detection threshold and the failure detection parameter, and a failure sign detector to detect a sign of failure of the vehicle device based on the failure sign evaluation index calculated by the failure sign evaluation index.

Abstract: A tire condition monitoring system stores information representing a number of dual wheels having two tires arranged closely adjacent to each other on, for example, a commercial vehicle. The system measures internal air temperatures of the tires on all of the wheels, and stores temperatures measured when a system reset is executed as reference temperatures. The system determines calculated values based on the temperatures measured for each tire until a measured temperature exceeds the corresponding reference temperature by 20 degrees Celsius or more. The system arranges the calculated values in an order and determines that a number of the calculated values high in the order are calculated values of temperatures of tires mounted on the inside wheel. The number of calculated values corresponding to a dual wheel is equivalent to the number of dual wheels. Thus, the system determines which tires are mounted on an inside wheel.

Abstract: A system and method that compares an input voltage value through the input terminal of the LDC with a setting voltage in an ignition on-state and an on-state of a main relay for connection of a high-voltage battery Then a verification is made whether the main relay is in the on-state and whether the voltage of an input capacitor in an inverter is in a normal voltage range. As a result a diagnosis is made whether the disconnection of the input fuse has occurred in a low-voltage state when the input voltage is no more than the setting voltage and the on-state of the main relay and the state in which the voltage of the input capacitor in the inverter is in the normal voltage range.

Abstract: A method for controlling at least one component of a motor vehicle provided with energy storage means. The method comprises the steps of determination of an energy reserve value of the vehicle; evaluation of at least one critical energy autonomy threshold; and comparison of the energy reserve value with at least one critical autonomy threshold so as to deduce therefrom a setpoint signal for controlling the component.

Abstract: A riding lawn care vehicle may include a battery power source, an electric drive motor, at least one blade drive motor, a current sensor, and a controller. The electric drive motor may be powered by the battery power source. The electric drive motor may be operably coupled to wheels of the riding lawn care vehicle to provide drive power for the riding lawn care vehicle. The at least one blade drive motor may be powered by the battery power source. The at least one blade drive motor may be operably coupled to at least one cutting blade of the riding lawn care vehicle. The current sensor may be disposed to monitor total current drawn from the battery power source. The controller may receive total current data from the current sensor and provide feedback to an operator of the riding lawn care vehicle based on the total current data.

Abstract: A system includes a pedal position sensor that senses a pedal position of a vehicle pedal when the vehicle pedal is in a known position. The system also includes a learn window determination module that selects between a first pedal position range and a second pedal position range that corresponds to the known position. The system further includes a pedal fault determination module that determines a fault in the vehicle pedal based on the pedal position and the selected one of the first pedal position range and the second pedal position range.

Abstract: A vehicle biodiesel fuel diagnostic method may include determining a biodiesel fuel concentration of fuel added to a vehicle fuel tank during a fueling event at a fueling location and determining the fueling location. The biodiesel fuel concentration and fueling location may be transmitted to an information system where the concentration and location are stored in a database. The method may further include indicating an abnormal biodiesel fuel condition in the database when the biodiesel fuel concentration is outside of a predetermined range.

Abstract: A method of detecting a failure of a brake actuator is provided. The method includes monitoring an angular position of a motor controlling the brake actuator. Also included is monitoring a linear position of a linear translation arrangement of the brake actuator, wherein the linear position of the linear translation arrangement is controlled by a gear assembly in communication with the motor and the linear translation arrangement. Further included is comparing the linear position of the linear translation arrangement with the angular position of the motor. Yet further included is determining whether the linear position of the linear translation arrangement is within a predetermined range of linear positions corresponding to a plurality of angular positions.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing operating condition of a device for cutting off and connecting a high-voltage bipolar battery from/to a bipolar onboard power network of a motor vehicle. The device includes a first power relay between a first terminal of the battery and a first terminal of the network, a second power relay between a second terminal of the battery and a second terminal of the network, and a serial arrangement of a third precharge relay and a precharge resistor, connected in parallel to the first power relay. The method: measures two voltages of the cutoff/connection device; compares the measured voltages with predetermined voltage values representing faults of the cutoff/connection device; and diagnoses a fault of a relay used on the result of the comparison.

Abstract: A solution for evaluating a vehicle using infrared data is provided. In particular, evaluation data for the vehicle is obtained, which includes infrared data for a plurality of sides of the vehicle as well as vehicle identification data for distinguishing the vehicle from another vehicle. The infrared data is processed to enhance a set of signal features. Additional non-infrared based data also can be obtained for evaluating the vehicle. The evaluation data is analyzed to determine whether one or more anomalies are present. The anomaly(ies) can be correlated with a possible problem with a component of the vehicle. Data on the anomaly, problem, and/or vehicle identification can be provided for use on another system, such as a remote inspection station, maintenance system, and/or the like.

Abstract: An automatic transmission has a transmission control section performing a control so that a transmission ratio defined as input rpm/output rpm of the automatic transmission becomes a target transmission ratio, a slip control section slip-controlling a frictional engagement element in the automatic transmission so that the input rpm becomes a value obtained by multiplying the output rpm by the target transmission ratio also adding a predetermined slip revolution speed; and an abnormality judgment section judging abnormality in the automatic transmission. When the slip-control is not in progress, if an actual transmission ratio is out of a predetermined range of the target transmission ratio, the abnormality judgment section judges that abnormality occurs. When the slip-control is in progress, if a value obtained by correcting the actual transmission ratio on the basis of the slip revolution speed is out of the predetermined range, the abnormality judgment section judges that abnormality occurs.

Abstract: Method for determining wear of a friction plate of an automatically actuated friction clutch, particularly in a motor vehicle driven by an internal combustion engine, wherein initially at a prescribed clutch slip and a prescribed clutch torque in an earlier friction lining test point an earlier clutch actuation travel is determined and stored, later again at the prescribed clutch slip and the prescribed clutch torque in a later friction lining test point a later clutch actuation travel is determined, thereafter the earlier clutch actuation travel and the later clutch actuation travel are compared to each other and a differential value is determined, and thereafter a friction lining wear is determined using the differential value, in order to reliably determine friction lining wear in a time interval and with only little effort, so that a depreciation of function due to a worn friction lining can be prevented in a timely manner.

Abstract: A navigation filter for a navigation system using terrain correlation delivering an estimation of the kinematic state of a carrier craft using a plurality of data includes the measurements returned by at least one terrain sensor, the model associated with the terrain sensor, the data from an onboard map, an error model for the onboard map, the measurements returned by an inertial guidance system, and a model of the inertial guidance system. The navigation filter also includes a first filter referred to as convergence filter, for example of the Kalman filter type, and a second filter referred to as tracking filter, for example of the particle filter type.

Abstract: A technique and apparatus of displaying a vehicle's information on a display device are provided and include measuring a set of diagnostic and state values of the vehicle, comparing the set of measured values with a set of related predetermined values, the set of predetermined values being within a preset range for operation of the vehicle, displaying on a video image a graphical depiction of the present measured value, and displaying on the same video image, a graphical depiction of the measured set of values in comparison to the related predetermined set of values, with the comparison changing color of a certain portion of the graphical depiction.

Abstract: A solution for evaluating a vehicle using infrared data is provided. In particular, evaluation data for the vehicle is obtained, which includes infrared data for a plurality of sides of the vehicle as well as vehicle identification data for distinguishing the vehicle from another vehicle. The infrared data is processed to enhance a set of signal features. Additional non-infrared based data also can be obtained for evaluating the vehicle. The evaluation data is analyzed to determine whether one or more anomalies are present. The anomaly(ies) can be correlated with a possible problem with a component of the vehicle. Data on the anomaly, problem, and/or vehicle identification can be provided for use on another system, such as a remote inspection station, maintenance system, and/or the like.

Abstract: A diagnostic tool and method are provided wherein the diagnostic tool includes indicators to indicate the condition of the vehicle using a database and the DTCs present in the vehicle. The tool indicates for each DTC retrieved from the vehicle, the level of repair urgency. The tool also can indicate if the vehicle can be driven without damaging the vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transporting a payload over a surface is provided. A vehicle supports a payload with a support partially enclosed by an enclosure. Two laterally disposed ground-contacting elements are coupled to at least one of the enclosure or support. A motorized drive is coupled to the ground-contacting elements. A controller coupled to the drive governs the operation of the drive at least in response to the position of the center of gravity of the vehicle to dynamically control balancing of the vehicle.

Abstract: In a method for determining a roadway state (STATE) of a roadway on which a vehicle (10) is travelling which has at least one wheel (14) and an acceleration sensor (24) which is assigned to the wheel (14), in order to determine a vertical component of an acceleration of the wheel (14), a characteristic value which is representative of the roadway state (STATE) is determined as a function of a measured signal (AC_VERT) of the acceleration sensor (18).

Abstract: A method and system for managing passenger and vehicle safety is disclosed. The method includes registering a passenger based on an identification parameter received from the passenger when the passenger boards a vehicle. The method further includes monitoring a set of vehicle status parameters associated with the vehicle in real time. The method also includes generating a notification when a predefined notification condition occurs. The predefined notification condition is associated with at least one of the vehicle status parameters and the identification parameter. The method further includes deregistering the passenger based on the identification parameter when the passenger exits the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for assigning a first motor vehicle to a second motor vehicle by exchanging electromagnetic signals. The electromagnetic signals are transmitted from the first motor vehicle in a predetermined temporal signal pattern and received by the second motor vehicle, where they are compared as to whether the received electromagnetic signals correspond to a signal pattern stored in the second motor vehicle. The first motor vehicle then is assigned as a function of the comparison. This method is particularly suited to assigning trailers to a towing vehicle.

Abstract: Auto-location systems and methods of tire pressure monitoring sensor units arranged with a wheel of a vehicle detect a predetermined time (T1) when a wheel phase angle reaches angle of interest using a rim mounted or a tire mounted sensor. The systems and methods transmit a radio frequency message associated with a wheel phase angle indication. The wheel phase angle indication triggers wheel phase and/or speed data such as ABS data at the predetermined time (T1) to be stored. A correlation algorithm is executed to identify the specific location of a wheel based on the wheel phase and/or speed data at the predetermined time (T1). TPM sensor parameters from a tire pressure monitoring sensor unit are assigned to the specific location of the wheel.

Abstract: Systems and methods for auto-location of tire pressure monitoring sensor units on a vehicle measure the angle of a wheel at two different times using a rim mounted or a tire mounted sensor and determines a difference in measured angles. The systems and methods provide for transmitting the angles and/or the difference in the measured angles along with a sensor identification to an electronic control module. Alternatively, the systems and methods provide for transmitting time differences to the electronic control module. The electronic control module correlates information transmitted from the wheel unit with antilock brake system data. A location of the wheel mounting the sensor is determined and the sensor identification is assigned.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing operating condition of a device for cutting off and connecting a high-voltage bipolar battery from/to a bipolar onboard power network of a motor vehicle. The device includes a first power relay between a first terminal of the battery and a first terminal of the network, a second power relay between a second terminal of the battery and a second terminal of the network, and a serial arrangement of a third precharge relay and a precharge resistor, connected in parallel to the first power relay. The method: measures two voltages of the cutoff/connection device; compares the measured voltages with predetermined voltage values representing faults of the cutoff/connection device; and diagnoses a fault of a relay used on the result of the comparison.

Abstract: In an electric power steering system, an electric motor generates output power for power-assisting steering operation of a steering wheel, a torque sensor generates a plurality of electric output signals corresponding to a torque applied to the steering wheel, and a control unit controls the steering operation of the electric motor in accordance with at least one of the electric output signals of the torque sensor. The control unit detects a difference between rotation speeds of left and right steered wheels, checks whether any one of the plurality of output generating parts is in failure, and specify a failing-device based on the rotation speed difference and the plurality of output signals.

Abstract: A brake system for a vehicle having a sensor device for providing a first and second sensor signal, a first and a second brake control device, which are directly connected to the sensor device and to provide a corresponding control signal for the first and/or second sensor signal, and a first and a second signal line for transmitting the control signal, the first signal line directly connecting the first brake control device to a first and second wheel actuator device and the second signal line directly connecting the second brake control device to a third and fourth wheel actuator device, the four wheel actuator devices exerting a braking torque corresponding to the control signal on the associated wheel, and the first wheel actuator device being directly connected to the second brake control device and/or the sensor device. A method for operating a brake system for a vehicle is also provided.

Abstract: An autonomous moving apparatus includes a vehicle provided with a drive unit; a cover that is attached to the vehicle such that the cover either entirely or partially covers side, upper, and lower surfaces of the vehicle, and the cover is arranged to be displaced with respect to the vehicle; a detection unit arranged to output detection signals in accordance with relative displacement generated between at least one of the upper and lower surfaces of the vehicle and the cover facing at least one of the upper and lower surfaces; and a control unit arranged to control the drive unit in accordance with the detection signals output from the detection unit.