Abstract: Methods and systems for providing driving assistance in a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes: determining, by a processor, curvature data associated with a roadway ahead of the vehicle; determining, by the processor, velocity data based on the curvature data, steering data of the vehicle, and set speed data associated with a semi-autonomous control system of the vehicle; and generating, by the processor, control commands to the semi-autonomous control system to control the vehicle to a speed other than a set speed of the set speed data based on the velocity data.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension control system includes a central suspension spring core, a first suspension spring surrounding an upper portion of the central suspension spring core, a second suspension spring surrounding a lower portion of the central suspension spring core, the first suspension spring and the second suspension spring coupled between a wheel and a fixed structure of a vehicle to inhibit movement of the wheel, a spring seat surrounding the central suspension spring core and coupled between the first and second suspension springs, the spring seat including an outer sleeve and multiple seals for retaining magnetorheological fluid between the outer sleeve and the central suspension spring core, one or more electromagnets adjacent the spring seat, and a suspension control module configured to energize the one or more electromagnets to selectively modify a viscosity of the magnetorheological fluid to inhibit movement of the first suspension spring or the second suspension spring.

Abstract: A system for detecting and warning a user of an object in a path of a vehicle includes a detection module configured to detect an object in a path of a vehicle, and a control module in communication with the detection module. The control module is configured to receive vehicle data from one or more vehicle sensors, determine a height of the detected object, determine a ground clearance of the vehicle based on the received vehicle data, and in response to the height of the detected object being greater than a threshold based on the ground clearance of the vehicle, generate a signal to notify the user of the detected object. Other examples systems and methods for detecting and warning a user of an object in a path of a vehicle are also disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle, suspension system and method of dampening a force on the suspension system is disclosed. The suspension system includes a damper having a first damping element and a second damping element configured to rotate relative to each other in response to a force received at the suspension system. The second damping element induces an eddy current in the first damping element during relative rotation. A feature of one at least one of the first damping element and the second damping element provides a first electrical resistance to the eddy current during relative rotation in a first direction and a second electrical resistance to the eddy current during relative rotation in a second direction. The first electrical resistance generates a first damping force and the second electrical resistance generates a second damping force.

Abstract: A suspension control system includes: an acceleration module configured to determine a predicted lateral acceleration of a vehicle in the future based on a radius of curvature of a road a predetermined distance in front of the vehicle; and at least one of: a damping module configured to, before the vehicle reaches the curvature, selectively adjust damping coefficients of adjustable dampers of the vehicle based on the predicted lateral acceleration; and an active roll control (ARC) control module configured to, before the vehicle reaches the curvature, selectively adjust stiffness of ARC devices of the vehicle based on the predicted lateral acceleration.

Abstract: A system for controlling an active stabilizer bar in a vehicle includes a stabilizer bar associated with one or more wheels of the vehicle and a control module in communication with the stabilizer bar. The stabilizer bar is configured to be controlled according to a plurality of stiffness modes. Each stiffness mode is associated with a different amount of torque for the stabilizer bar. The control module is configured to control the stabilizer bar to operate according to a first stiffness mode of the plurality of stiffness modes, detect an anomaly in a path of the vehicle, and in response to detecting the anomaly, control the stabilizer bar to operate according to a second stiffness mode of the plurality of stiffness modes, the second stiffness mode being different than the first stiffness mode. Other examples systems and methods for controlling active stabilizer bars in vehicles are also disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension control system includes a central suspension spring core, a first suspension spring surrounding an upper portion of the central suspension spring core, a second suspension spring surrounding a lower portion of the central suspension spring core, the first suspension spring and the second suspension spring coupled between a wheel and a fixed structure of a vehicle to inhibit movement of the wheel, a spring seat surrounding the central suspension spring core and coupled between the first and second suspension springs, the spring seat including an outer sleeve and multiple seals for retaining magnetorheological fluid between the outer sleeve and the central suspension spring core, one or more electromagnets adjacent the spring seat, and a suspension control module configured to energize the one or more electromagnets to selectively modify a viscosity of the magnetorheological fluid to inhibit movement of the first suspension spring or the second suspension spring.

Abstract: A system for detecting and warning a user of an object in a path of a vehicle includes a detection module configured to detect an object in a path of a vehicle, and a control module in communication with the detection module. The control module is configured to receive vehicle data from one or more vehicle sensors, determine a height of the detected object, determine a ground clearance of the vehicle based on the received vehicle data, and in response to the height of the detected object being greater than a threshold based on the ground clearance of the vehicle, generate a signal to notify the user of the detected object. Other examples systems and methods for detecting and warning a user of an object in a path of a vehicle are also disclosed.

Abstract: An example detection system includes a sensor, a first module, and a second module. The sensor is positioned at at least one of a center of gravity of a vehicle and a wheel of the vehicle. The sensor is configured to measure (a) a first measurement of a parameter of the vehicle prior to the wheel contacting the obstacle and (b) a second measurement of the parameter of the vehicle while the vehicle is contacting the obstacle. The first module is configured to determine whether a change is present in the vehicle based on the first and second measurements, calculate a dimension of the obstacle, and store a global positioning system (GPS) location of the obstacle. The second module configured to actuate an actuator of the vehicle when the vehicle approaches the GPS location of the obstacle prior to the vehicle reaching the GPS location of the obstacle.

Abstract: A damper control system includes: a lane module configured to identify boundaries of a present lane of a vehicle in an image of a road in front of the vehicle captured using a forward facing camera; an oil module configured to, from the image, determine whether an area of oil is present on the road between the boundaries of the present lane of the vehicle; and a damping module configured to, when the area of oil is present on the road between the boundaries of the present lane of the vehicle, selectively adjust damping coefficients of adjustable dampers of the vehicle before the vehicle reaches the area of oil on the road.

Abstract: A stabilizer bar assembly for a suspension system of a vehicle. The stabilizer bar assembly includes a first bar configured to be coupled to the vehicle suspension system proximate to a first wheel. A second bar is adjacent to the first bar. A coupling assembly is at an interface between the first bar and the second bar. The coupling assembly includes a magnetorheological material in contact with both the first bar and the second bar. The magnetorheological material is configured to transform from a fluid state to a viscoelastic solid state when subject to a magnetic field. A magnet is configured to apply the magnetic field to the magnetorheological material. In the viscoelastic solid state, the magnetorheological material resists relative movement between the first bar and the second bar.

Abstract: A brake torque control system of a host vehicle includes a memory and a brake torque control module. The memory stores, for a braking event, multiple values indicative of whether an object has been detected forward of the host vehicle, a speed of the host vehicle, and an expected stopping distance or an expected stopping location of the host vehicle. The brake control module, based on the values, operates in an anti-pitch mode and reduces at least one of an amount of brake torque requested and a brake pressure applied for a last remaining portion of the braking event to reduce pitch of the host vehicle prior to coming to a complete stop and to not reduce the at least one of the amount of brake torque requested and the brake pressure applied for a portion of the braking event prior to the last remaining portion of the braking event.

Abstract: A vehicle, suspension system and method of dampening a force on the suspension system is disclosed. The suspension system includes a damper having a first damping element and a second damping element configured to rotate relative to each other in response to a force received at the suspension system. The second damping element induces an eddy current in the first damping element during relative rotation. A feature of one at least one of the first damping element and the second damping element provides a first electrical resistance to the eddy current during relative rotation in a first direction and a second electrical resistance to the eddy current during relative rotation in a second direction. The first electrical resistance generates a first damping force and the second electrical resistance generates a second damping force.

Abstract: A weight balancing system for a vehicle performs a method of adjusting a weight on a wheel of a vehicle. The system includes a processor of the vehicle and a scale. A wheel of the vehicle is placed on the scale, the wheel having an associated spring seat and associated spring. The scale measures a weight placed on the wheel by the vehicle and communicates the weight to the processor. The processor activates the spring seat to adjust a length of the spring, thereby adjusting the weight placed on the wheel by the vehicle.

Abstract: A weight balancing system for a vehicle performs a method of adjusting a weight on a wheel of a vehicle. The system includes a processor of the vehicle and a scale. A wheel of the vehicle is placed on the scale, the wheel having an associated spring seat and associated spring. The scale measures a weight placed on the wheel by the vehicle and communicates the weight to the processor. The processor activates the spring seat to adjust a length of the spring, thereby adjusting the weight placed on the wheel by the vehicle.

Abstract: A method of controlling relative roll torque in vehicles having a front active sway bar and a rear active sway bar is provided. The front active sway bar varies roll torque of a front axle and the rear active sway bar varies roll torque of a rear axle. The method includes monitoring dynamic driving conditions during operation of the vehicle and biasing tire lateral load transfer distribution (TLLTD) relative to the front axle based on the monitored dynamic driving conditions. Positive bias of the TLLTD increases the portion of a total roll torque carried by the front active sway bar. Biasing TLLTD occurs during one or more dynamic bias events triggered as monitored dynamic driving conditions exceed one or more calibrated thresholds.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a frame, a body supported by the frame, a prime mover mounted to the frame, at least one axle connected to the frame, a suspension system connecting the at least one axle to the frame, and a load sensing and control system including at least one load sensor connected to the suspension system and a controller operatively connected to the at least one load sensor and the prime mover. The controller being operable to calculate a vehicle loading factor before the vehicle moves and to prevent operation of the prime mover if the vehicle loading factor that exceeds a selected load threshold.

Abstract: A system for testing a suspension system of a vehicle includes an inertial measurement module and a suspension fault detection module. The inertial measurement module is configured to, while the vehicle is not moving, collect sensor data from one or more inertial measurement sensors for different states of the suspension system. The sensor data is indicative of inertial states of the vehicle while the suspension system is in each of the different states. The suspension fault detection module is configured to, based on the sensor data and a set of thresholds, determine whether a fault exists with the suspension system, isolate and identify the fault, and perform a countermeasure based on the detection of the fault.

Abstract: In various embodiments, methods, systems, and vehicles are provided for determining a fault in a suspension system of a vehicle. In an exemplary embodiment, sensor data is obtained via one or more vehicle sensors during operation of the vehicle; a one or more first coefficients for the vehicle are calculated via a processor using a pitch model with the sensor data; one or more second coefficients for the vehicle are calculated via the processor using a roll model with the sensor data; and a fault in the suspension system is determined via the processor using the first coefficients and the second coefficients.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for articulating mirrors for trailering in a motor vehicle. The method includes receiving a trailer dimension, receiving an indication of a trailering mode, receiving an image of a trailer hitch assembly in response to the indication of the trailering mode, estimating a hitch articulation angle in response to the image, estimating a trailer rear corner position in response to the hitch articulation angle and the trailer dimension, generating a mirror control signal to adjust a mirror position such that the trailer rear corner position is within a mirror field of view, and adjusting the mirror position in response to the mirror control signal.