Abstract: Torque distribution control systems and methods for through-the-road electrified vehicles having distinct first and second torque generating systems for distinct first and second axles, respectively, utilize existing vehicle sensors to (i) obtain measured wheel rotational speeds and a measured steering wheel angle, (ii) estimate virtual yaw rates of the first and second axles using these measured values and other known vehicle parameters, (ii) predict whether oversteer or understeer of the vehicle is likely to occur based on the estimated first and second axle virtual yaw rates, and (iv) when oversteer or understeer of the vehicle is predicted to occur, adjust a torque distribution between the first and second torque generating systems to prevent the oversteer or understeer from occurring and to keep the vehicle on a constant turn path.

Abstract: Techniques for managing wheel slip in a through-the-road hybrid vehicle comprise detecting a front wheel slip event based on measured rotational speeds of front wheels, determining a likelihood of a subsequent rear wheel slip event, when the front wheel slip event has ended and the likelihood of the subsequent rear wheel slip event satisfies a calibratable threshold, adjusting a front/rear axle torque split and pre-loading at least one of an engine and a belt-driven starter generator (BSG) unit coupled to a crankshaft of the engine to compensate for a torque drop that is predicted to occur during the rear wheel slip event, and re-adjusting the front/rear axle torque split and pre-unloading at least one of the engine and the BSG unit such that a drop in torque output at a front axle aligns with an end of the rear wheel slip event.

Abstract: Torque distribution control systems and methods for through-the-road electrified vehicles having distinct first and second torque generating systems for distinct first and second axles, respectively, utilize existing vehicle sensors to (i) obtain measured wheel rotational speeds and a measured steering wheel angle, (ii) estimate virtual yaw rates of the first and second axles using these measured values and other known vehicle parameters, (ii) predict whether oversteer or understeer of the vehicle is likely to occur based on the estimated first and second axle virtual yaw rates, and (iv) when oversteer or understeer of the vehicle is predicted to occur, adjust a torque distribution between the first and second torque generating systems to prevent the oversteer or understeer from occurring and to keep the vehicle on a constant turn path.

Abstract: Techniques for managing wheel slip in a through-the-road hybrid vehicle comprise detecting a front wheel slip event based on measured rotational speeds of front wheels, determining a likelihood of a subsequent rear wheel slip event, when the front wheel slip event has ended and the likelihood of the subsequent rear wheel slip event satisfies a calibratable threshold, adjusting a front/rear axle torque split and pre-loading at least one of an engine and a belt-driven starter generator (BSG) unit coupled to a crankshaft of the engine to compensate for a torque drop that is predicted to occur during the rear wheel slip event, and re-adjusting the front/rear axle torque split and pre-unloading at least one of the engine and the BSG unit such that a drop in torque output at a front axle aligns with an end of the rear wheel slip event.

Abstract: A hill-hold control system for a vehicle. The hill-hold control system includes a first wheel brake (120A, 120B), a second wheel brake (120C, 120D), a braking indicator (brake pedal), a drive away indicator (accelerator), and a controller (130). The controller is configured to determine that the vehicle is at standstill, detect from the braking indicator that braking is no longer desired, adjust a braking pressure at the first wheel brake, adjust a braking pressure at the second wheel brake, detect from the drive away indicator an operator's desire to drive away, and when the operator's desire to drive away is detected, removing the braking pressure at the first wheel brake and the braking pressure at the second wheel brake.

Abstract: A controller. The controller includes a processor and a non-transitory computer readable medium. The processor is configured to receive the speed of a first driven wheel from a wheel speed sensor and the speed of a drive shaft from a drive shaft sensor. The non-transistory computer readable medium includes program instructions executed by the processor for determining a speed of a second driven wheel based on a plurality of detected speeds of the first driven wheel and detected speeds of the drive shaft over time.

Abstract: A hill-hold control system for a vehicle. The hill-hold control system includes a first wheel brake (120A, 120B), a second wheel brake (120C, 120D), a braking indicator (brake pedal), a drive away indicator (accelerator), and a controller (130). The controller is configured to determine that the vehicle is at standstill, detect from the braking indicator that braking is no longer desired, adjust a braking pressure at the first wheel brake, adjust a braking pressure at the second wheel brake, detect from the drive away indicator an operator's desire to drive away, and when the operator's desire to drive away is detected, removing the braking pressure at the first wheel brake and the braking pressure at the second wheel brake.

Abstract: A method and a system of determining a driving direction of a vehicle traveling at a low speed. The method includes determining whether the vehicle is in one of three states: (1) an uphill state in which the vehicle is located on an upward sloping surface, (2) a downhill state in which the vehicle is located on a downward sloping surface, and (3) a flat surface state in which the vehicle is located on a flat surface. The method also includes obtaining information from a plurality of vehicle sensors and determining a direction of movement of the vehicle based upon the determined state of the vehicle and information from the plurality of vehicle sensors.

Abstract: A controller. The controller includes a processor and a non-transitory computer readable medium. The processor is configured to receive the speed of a first driven wheel from a wheel speed sensor and the speed of a drive shaft from a drive shaft sensor. The non-transistory computer readable medium includes program instructions executed by the processor for determining a speed of a second driven wheel based on a plurality of detected speeds of the first driven wheel and detected speeds of the drive shaft over time.

Abstract: A method and a system of determining a driving direction of a vehicle traveling at a low speed. The method includes determining whether the vehicle is in one of three states: (1) an uphill state in which the vehicle is located on an upward sloping surface, (2) a downhill state in which the vehicle is located on a downward sloping surface, and (3) a flat surface state in which the vehicle is located on a flat surface. The method also includes obtaining information from a plurality of vehicle sensors and determining a direction of movement of the vehicle based upon the determined state of the vehicle and information from the plurality of vehicle sensors.

Abstract: A method and system of controlling the traction of a vehicle having at least a front axle and a rear axle. One method includes determining a stability status of the vehicle, identifying a driving style of a driver of the vehicle, generating a first drive slip target, generating a second drive slip target, determining an engine torque produced by an engine of the vehicle, determining whether the engine torque is sufficient to support an application of the first and second drive slip targets, and generating at least one torque signal. The at least one torque signal is configured to alter an amount of torque that is applied to the front and rear axles of the vehicle according to the first and second drive slip targets, respectively.

Abstract: A method and system of controlling the traction of a vehicle having at least a front axle and a rear axle. One method includes determining a stability status of the vehicle, identifying a driving style of a driver of the vehicle, generating a first drive slip target, generating a second drive slip target, determining an engine torque produced by an engine of the vehicle, determining whether the engine torque is sufficient to support an application of the first and second drive slip targets, and generating at least one torque signal. The at least one torque signal is configured to alter an amount of torque that is applied to the front and rear axles of the vehicle according to the first and second drive slip targets, respectively.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for identifying and eliminating vibration in a hydraulic clutch actuator. The vibration is identified by using transducers to characterize the vibrational characteristics of a power train of a vehicle. That characterization is used to program a shaker on a test bed to replicate the vibrations on the vehicle in a hydraulic clutch actuator. Different hydraulic dampers may be employed to eliminate the vibration. The preferred apparatus of the present invention includes a two piece hydraulic damper which may be opened as to insert different diaphragms for testing.

Abstract: A pushrod assembly for use in association with a vehicle clutch control system of the type including a slave cylinder having an output member adapted for control of the clutch mechanism of the vehicle, a master cylinder for supplying hydraulic fluid to the slave cylinder, and a clutch control pedal assembly for actuating the master cylinder via the pushrod assembly. The pushrod assembly is connected at a forward end thereof to the master cylinder piston and is adapted for connection at a rearward end thereof to the clutch pedal arm and includes an isolator member of resilient material carried by the pushrod and interposed between the rearward pushrod end and the clutch pedal in a position to be resiliently distorted in response to movement of the control pedal in a release direction relative to the pushrod.