Abstract: Examples of techniques for vehicle suspension system alignment monitoring are disclosed. In one example implementation, a method includes receiving vehicle data and environmental data including, inertial measurement unit (IMU) acceleration data and global positioning system (GPS) velocity data from a GPS associated with the vehicle, and steering wheel angle data, driver applied torque data, and electronic power steering (EPS) applied torque data associated with the steering system. The method further includes mitigating for at least one of a vehicle effect and an environmental effect based on the vehicle data and environmental data. The method further includes detecting a misalignment based at least in part on one or more of the IMU acceleration data, the GPS velocity data, acceleration data, a steering wheel angle, and a self-aligning torque. The method further includes reporting the misalignment of the vehicle based at least in part on detecting the misalignment.

Abstract: Examples of techniques for vehicle suspension system alignment monitoring are disclosed. In one example implementation, a method includes receiving vehicle data and environmental data including, inertial measurement unit (IMU) acceleration data and global positioning system (GPS) velocity data from a GPS associated with the vehicle, and steering wheel angle data, driver applied torque data, and electronic power steering (EPS) applied torque data associated with the steering system. The method further includes mitigating for at least one of a vehicle effect and an environmental effect based on the vehicle data and environmental data. The method further includes detecting a misalignment based at least in part on one or more of the IMU acceleration data, the GPS velocity data, acceleration data, a steering wheel angle, and a self-aligning torque. The method further includes reporting the misalignment of the vehicle based at least in part on detecting the misalignment.

Abstract: Examples of techniques for determining tire leak rate are disclosed. In one example implementation, a method includes receiving, by a processing device, temperature data, pressure data, tire characteristics, and an estimated leak rate associated with the tire. The method further includes calculating, by the processing device, a temperature normalized fused pressure after fusing the temperature data and the pressure data. The method further includes determining, by the processing device, the tire leak rate based at least in part on a decay of the temperature normalized fused pressure over time. The method further includes providing, by the processing device, an alert to an operator of the vehicle that a leak is detected based at least in part on a comparison between the tire leak rate and a leak rate threshold.

Abstract: Examples of techniques for vehicle suspension system alignment monitoring are disclosed. In one example implementation, a method includes receiving vehicle data and environmental data including, inertial measurement unit (IMU) acceleration data and global positioning system (GPS) velocity data from a GPS associated with the vehicle, and steering wheel angle data, driver applied torque data, and electronic power steering (EPS) applied torque data associated with the steering system. The method further includes mitigating for at least one of a vehicle effect and an environmental effect based on the vehicle data and environmental data. The method further includes detecting a misalignment based at least in part on one or more of the IMU acceleration data, the GPS velocity data, acceleration data, a steering wheel angle, and a self-aligning torque. The method further includes reporting the misalignment of the vehicle based at least in part on detecting the misalignment.

Abstract: Examples of techniques for vehicle suspension system alignment monitoring are disclosed. In one example implementation, a method includes receiving vehicle data and environmental data including, inertial measurement unit (IMU) acceleration data and global positioning system (GPS) velocity data from a GPS associated with the vehicle, and steering wheel angle data, driver applied torque data, and electronic power steering (EPS) applied torque data associated with the steering system. The method further includes mitigating for at least one of a vehicle effect and an environmental effect based on the vehicle data and environmental data. The method further includes detecting a misalignment based at least in part on one or more of the IMU acceleration data, the GPS velocity data, acceleration data, a steering wheel angle, and a self-aligning torque. The method further includes reporting the misalignment of the vehicle based at least in part on detecting the misalignment.

Abstract: An exemplary method of performing a brake pad wear check includes providing a brake assembly, including a brake pad and a brake rotor, providing a controller electronically connected to the brake assembly, the controller configured to calculate an expected wear of the brake pad, determine a brake pad wear threshold, compare the expected wear of the brake pad to the brake pad wear threshold, and if a first condition is satisfied, perform the brake pad wear check.

Abstract: A system for monitoring parameters of a vehicle wheel assembly includes a wheel speed sensor configured to produce a wheel speed signal, and a wheel assembly monitoring module operatively connected to the wheel speed sensor. The wheel assembly monitoring module determines a dynamic response of the wheel speed signal at one or more wheel speeds. A wheel assembly health module provides one of a visual output, an audible output, and a haptic output indicating that the wheel assembly has exceeded a selected wheel assembly parameter threshold based on the dynamic response of the wheel speed signal.

Abstract: A system and method to determine the health state of a damper associated with a wheel of a vehicle using indirect measurements obtain information from one or more sensors. The one or more sensors includes a wheel speed sensor, inertial measurement unit, tire pressure sensor, steering wheel sensor, global positioning system (GPS) receiver, or a camera. The information from at least one of the one or more sensors includes at least one measurement of a parameter not directly characterizing the damper. The method also includes comparing the at least one measurement of the parameter with data of the parameter to estimate wear of the damper. The data includes a historical measurement, a measurement for another wheel of the vehicle, a measurement from another vehicle, or an output of a model, and a maintenance or replacement task is triggered by the estimate of the wear of the damper.

Abstract: Examples of techniques for determining tire leak rate are disclosed. In one example implementation, a method includes receiving, by a processing device, temperature data, pressure data, tire characteristics, and an estimated leak rate associated with the tire. The method further includes calculating, by the processing device, a temperature normalized fused pressure after fusing the temperature data and the pressure data. The method further includes determining, by the processing device, the tire leak rate based at least in part on a decay of the temperature normalized fused pressure over time. The method further includes providing, by the processing device, an alert to an operator of the vehicle that a leak is detected based at least in part on a comparison between the tire leak rate and a leak rate threshold.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for monitoring an air filter. In one embodiment, a method includes: receiving data indicating a vehicle condition; selectively computing a use life of the air filter based on pressure data and the received data; and selectively generating at least one of a notification signal and a notification message based on the use life.

Abstract: A lateral stabilization assembly includes a chassis and a stabilizer bar coupled to the chassis. The stabilizer bar includes a central bar portion extending along a bar axis. The lateral stabilization assembly also includes first and second bearings coupled to the chassis. The lateral stabilization assembly also includes a first and second flanges fixed to the central bar portion. The first flange and the second flange are configured to allow a transfer of lateral loads between the first lateral side and the second lateral side of the chassis through the first bearing, the stabilizer bar, and the second bearing.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for monitoring an air filter. In one embodiment, a method includes: receiving data indicating a vehicle condition; selectively computing a use life of the air filter based on pressure data and the received data; and selectively generating at least one of a notification signal and a notification message based on the use life.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an underbody and a cradle assembly. The assembly includes a cradle body and a flange extending to a distal end portion. The distal end portion includes a platform having at least one side and defining an aperture spaced from the side. A fastener is disposed through the aperture and in engagement with the underbody when the cradle body is in a first position. The platform defines a void and has a portion of material disposed adjacent to the void to present a release pathway. The cradle body is configured to move from the first position to a second position which separates the flange of the cradle body from the underbody by moving the fastener out of the aperture, through the void and the portion of material along the release pathway, and out the side of the platform when the cradle body moves to the second position.

Abstract: A tire assembly includes a reservoir, a tire, and a pressure module. The pressure module includes a first valve, a second valve, and a control unit. The first valve selectively directs air from the reservoir to the interior cavity. The second valve directs air from the interior cavity of the tire to the atmosphere. The control unit is configured to selectively send a first control signal to the first valve such that the first valve cycles from a first position, at which air is prevented from flowing from the reservoir to the interior cavity, to a second position, at which air is allowed to flow from the reservoir to the interior cavity of the tire. The control unit is configured to selectively send another first control signal to the first valve such that the first valve cycles from the second position to the first position.

Abstract: A lateral stabilization assembly includes a chassis and a stabilizer bar coupled to the chassis. The stabilizer bar includes a central bar portion extending along a bar axis. The lateral stabilization assembly also includes first and second bearings coupled to the chassis. The lateral stabilization assembly also includes a first and second flanges fixed to the central bar portion. The first flange and the second flange are configured to allow a transfer of lateral loads between the first lateral side and the second lateral side of the chassis through the first bearing, the stabilizer bar, and the second bearing.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an underbody and a cradle assembly. The assembly includes a cradle body and a flange extending to a distal end portion. The distal end portion includes a platform having at least one side and defining an aperture spaced from the side. A fastener is disposed through the aperture and in engagement with the underbody when the cradle body is in a first position. The platform defines a void and has a portion of material disposed adjacent to the void to present a release pathway. The cradle body is configured to move from the first position to a second position which separates the flange of the cradle body from the underbody by moving the fastener out of the aperture, through the void and the portion of material along the release pathway, and out the side of the platform when the cradle body moves to the second position.

Abstract: A wheel braking system includes a fluid source connected to an actuator that applies a force to a friction element for retarding rotation of the wheel. The braking system also includes a hydraulic circuit that has a first fluid passage providing direct communication between the fluid source and the actuator and a second fluid passage in communication with the first passage. The second fluid passage has a first portion and a second portion and includes a reciprocating piston assembly with a first piston fixed to a second piston for selectively amplifying a volume of the pressurized fluid received by the actuator. The first portion of the second passage is in fluid communication with the first piston and the second portion is in fluid communication with the second piston. The first piston has a first diameter and the second piston has a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter.

Abstract: A brake pad life monitoring system can monitor the wear of a brake pad operatively coupled to a rotor. The brake pad life monitoring system includes an erodible, electrically non-conductive covering layer operatively coupled to the brake pad such that wear of the erodible, electrically non-conductive covering layer corresponds to the wear of the brake pad. Further, the brake pad life monitoring system includes an electrical circuit having a circuit path from a power supply to a ground. The electrical circuit is at least partially disposed on the erodible, electrically non-conductive covering layer and includes a first resistor connected in series with the power supply and a second resistor electrically connected in parallel with the power supply. The brake pad life monitoring system additionally includes a measuring device electrically connected to the electrical circuit.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for fuel cell air filter life prediction. The method for monitoring an air filter comprises receiving data indicating a concentration of a contaminant gas, and receiving data indicating a mass flow rate through the air filter. The method also comprises determining, with a processor, a total mass of the contaminant gas based on the concentration of the contaminant gas and the mass flow rate and calculating, with the processor, a remaining life of the air filter based on the total mass of the contaminant gas and a capacity of the air filter for the contaminant gas. The method comprises outputting notification data to a notification system based on the calculated remaining life of the air filter.

Abstract: A tire assembly includes a reservoir, a tire, and a pressure module. The pressure module includes a first valve, a second valve, and a control unit. The first valve selectively directs air from the reservoir to the interior cavity. The second valve directs air from the interior cavity of the tire to the atmosphere. The control unit is configured to selectively send a first control signal to the first valve such that the first valve cycles from a first position, at which air is prevented from flowing from the reservoir to the interior cavity, to a second position, at which air is allowed to flow from the reservoir to the interior cavity of the tire. The control unit is configured to selectively send another first control signal to the first valve such that the first valve cycles from the second position to the first position.