Abstract: An air suspension system which uses software logic and internal signals and/or external signals available to automatically adjust the ride height of the vehicle. The air suspension system also may respond to requests from other vehicle systems requesting a change in ride height. Signals available to the vehicle may be used to detect parking lot maneuvers (for example, a combination of low speed, high steering angle, and low lateral acceleration) and automatically begin to lower the ride height of the vehicle to a calibrated “entry/exit” ride height. Additionally, a camera, radar, and/or parking sensor signals are utilized to detect potential roof or undercarriage clearance issues, and automatically adjust the ride height of the vehicle. The air suspension system may also adjust the ride height of the vehicle when the electronic brake system (EBS) detects rough road, automatically increasing the ride height of the vehicle to increase ground clearance.

Abstract: A method of detecting for primary circuit loss of an electronic stability control system for a vehicle comprises checking that a lateral acceleration sensor is installed and working properly, a yaw sensor is installed and working properly, and a steering wheel angle sensor is installed and working properly. An absolute value of the lateral acceleration sensor is compared with a first pre-defined threshold, an absolute value of the yaw sensor is compared with a second pre-defined threshold, and an absolute value of the steering wheel angle sensor is compared with a third pre-defined threshold. It is determined that primary circuit loss detection is not required when any of the three sensors are equal to and above the respective pre-defined thresholds and that primary circuit loss detection is required when all of the three sensors are below the respective pre-defined threshold.

Abstract: A method of detecting for primary circuit loss of an electronic stability control system for a vehicle comprises checking that a lateral acceleration sensor is installed and working properly, a yaw sensor is installed and working properly, and a steering wheel angle sensor is installed and working properly. An absolute value of the lateral acceleration sensor is compared with a first pre-defined threshold, an absolute value of the yaw sensor is compared with a second pre-defined threshold, and an absolute value of the steering wheel angle sensor is compared with a third pre-defined threshold. It is determined that primary circuit loss detection is not required when any of the three sensors are equal to and above the respective pre-defined thresholds and that primary circuit loss detection is required when all of the three sensors are below the respective pre-defined threshold.

Abstract: An indicator used to alert a driver that turning right is impermissible when a traffic light is illuminated red, where the indicator is part of a component in the vehicle, such as the instrument cluster, radio, lamp, or the like. The information regarding the local traffic law directed to turning right when the traffic signal is illuminated red is obtained through a detection device, such as the vehicle's GPS system, a camera, or the like. The driver is informed that turning right at an upcoming intersection is allowed or impermissible, improving the flow of traffic due to drivers having knowledge when turning right is permissible, and not waiting at the intersection when unsure of the local traffic ordinance. If turning on red is impermissible, the driver is informed of this traffic ordinance, and refrains from making a right turn, thus avoiding committing a traffic violation.

Abstract: A method of operating a brake system comprises monitoring a vacuum pressure sensor with an ECU to determine an actual vacuum pressure in a vacuum booster for the brake system. The actual vacuum pressure is compared to a modeled vacuum pressure for the vacuum booster. When the actual vacuum pressure is different from the modeled vacuum pressure by a predetermined threshold difference the ECU determines either a booster leak to atmosphere or a booster checkball is malfunctioning. When the ECU determines that the booster is leaking to atmosphere or the booster checkball is malfunctioning an alert is provided.

Abstract: A method applying a line lock feature, i.e. a wheel hold mode, with a brake system for a vehicle comprises initiating a wheel hold mode for the brake system and applying pressure to the wheels of a non-driven axle. The wheel brake pressure is maintained at the wheels of the non-driven axle independent of application of the brake pedal. The wheel brake pressure at the wheels of the non-driven axle is released when a release trigger event occurs. The release trigger event may be an automatic trigger event or a driver actuated trigger event.

Abstract: A method of operating a brake system comprises monitoring a vacuum pressure sensor with an ECU to determine an actual vacuum pressure in a vacuum booster for the brake system. The actual vacuum pressure is compared to a modeled vacuum pressure for the vacuum booster. When the actual vacuum pressure is different from the modeled vacuum pressure by a predetermined threshold difference the ECU determines either a booster leak to atmosphere or a booster checkball is malfunctioning. When the ECU determines that the booster is leaking to atmosphere or the booster checkball is malfunctioning an alert is provided.

Abstract: A method applying a line lock feature, i.e. a wheel hold mode, with a brake system for a vehicle comprises initiating a wheel hold mode for the brake system and applying pressure to the wheels of a non-driven axle. The wheel brake pressure is maintained at the wheels of the non-driven axle independent of application of the brake pedal. The wheel brake pressure at the wheels of the non-driven axle is released when a release trigger event occurs. The release trigger event may be an automatic trigger event or a driver actuated trigger event.

Abstract: The present invention features a system and method for estimating body states of a vehicle. The system includes at least two sensors mounted to the vehicle. The sensors generate measured vehicle state signals corresponding to the dynamics of the vehicle. A signal adjuster transforms the measured vehicle states from a sensor coordinate system to a body coordinate system associated with the vehicle. A filter receives the transformed measured vehicle states from the signal adjuster and processes the measured signals into state estimates of the vehicle, such as, for example, the lateral velocity, yaw rate, roll angle, and roll rate of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system providing protection to a power steering assist circuit in the event of a reversal of polarity of the power supply is disclosed. The circuit has a solenoid, a recirculating diode in an electrically parallel connection with the solenoid, and a protection device connected in electrical series with the recirculating diode. The protection device may be an n-channel field effect transistor. A power supply having a positive terminal connected to the circuit and negative terminal connected to the ground provides power to the circuit. In the event that the negative terminal of the power supply is connected the circuit and the positive terminal of the power supply is connected to the ground, the protection device will prevent the flow of current through the recirculating diode.

Abstract: A system and method protects against rollover in a vehicle by employing an array of linear acceleration sensors. A control module includes, among other things, a model of the vehicle dynamics and a model of the array of sensors. A state vector is estimated based on the detected accelerations, the model of the vehicle dynamics and the model of the sensors. A control signal is generated based on the state vector, and the roll moment of the vehicle is reduced based on the control signal.

Abstract: The present invention features a system and method for estimating body states of a vehicle. The system includes at least two sensors mounted to the vehicle. The sensors generate measured vehicle state signals corresponding to the dynamics of the vehicle. A signal adjuster transforms the measured vehicle states from a sensor coordinate system to a body coordinate system associated with the vehicle. A filter receives the transformed measured vehicle states from the signal adjuster and processes the measured signals into state estimates of the vehicle, such as, for example, the lateral velocity, yaw rate, roll angle, and roll rate of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method protects against rollover in a vehicle by employing an array of linear acceleration sensors. A control module includes, among other things, a model of the vehicle dynamics and a model of the array of sensors. A state vector is estimated based on the detected accelerations, the model of the vehicle dynamics and the model of the sensors. A control signal is generated based on the state vector, and the roll moment of the vehicle is reduced based on the control signal.