Abstract: The vehicle has a vehicle body including a first body end facing incident ambient airflow, a second body end opposite of the first body end, an underbody section spanning a distance between the first and second body ends, and vehicle subsystem arranged proximate the underbody section. A panel is moveably mounted to the underbody section and configured to regulate access of an underbody portion of the incident airflow to the subsystem. A mechanism is configured to shift the panel to selectively expose at least a part of the subsystem to the underbody portion of the incident airflow and shield the subsystem to thereby enhance aerodynamics of the vehicle body. A sensor detects a vehicle operating parameter and communicates the detected operating parameter to a controller. The controller is configured to regulate the mechanism and thereby shift the panel in response to the detected vehicle operating parameter.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and vehicles are provided for mitigating turbulent air for vehicles. In accordance with one embodiment, a vehicle includes one or more downforce elements, one or more sensors, and a processor. The one or more sensors are configured to obtain one or more parameter values for the vehicle during operation of the vehicle. The processor is processor coupled to the one or more sensors, and is configured to at least facilitate determining whether turbulent air for the vehicle is likely using the parameters, and adjusting a downforce for the vehicle, during operation of the vehicle, by providing instructions for controlling the one or more downforce elements when it is determined that turbulent air for the vehicle is likely.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and vehicles are provided for controlling lift for vehicles. In accordance with one embodiment, a vehicle includes a body, one or more sensors, and a processor. The one or more sensors are configured to measure values pertaining to one or more parameter values for a vehicle during operation of the vehicle. The processor is coupled to the one or more sensors, and is configured to at least facilitate determining whether an unplanned lift of the body of the vehicle is likely using the parameters, and implementing one or more control measures when it is determined that the unplanned lift of the body of the vehicle is likely.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and vehicles are provided for controlling downforce for vehicles. In accordance with one embodiment, a vehicle includes one or more downforce elements, one or more sensors, and a processor. The one or more sensors are configured to measure one or more parameter values for the vehicle during operation of the vehicle. The processor is coupled to the downforce elements and to the one or more sensors. The processor is configured to at least facilitate adjusting a downforce for the vehicle, during operation of the vehicle, based on the one or more parameter values, by providing instructions for controlling the one or more downforce elements.

Abstract: A dive-plane system for a vehicle includes first and second dive-planes. The vehicle includes a vehicle body having a first vehicle body end facing oncoming ambient airflow when the vehicle is in motion and first and second lateral body sides. The first dive-plane is mounted to the first lateral body side proximate the first body end to generate an aerodynamic downforce on the first body end at the first lateral body side. The second dive-plane is mounted to the second lateral body side proximate the first body end and configured to generate an aerodynamic downforce on the first body end at the second lateral body side. The dive-plane system also includes a mechanism configured to selectively and individually shift each of the first and second dive-planes relative to the vehicle body to adjust a magnitude of the aerodynamic downforce generated by each dive-plane on the first vehicle body end.

Abstract: Technical solutions are described for autonomously monitoring health of a vehicle, such as a car, a truck and so on. An example computer-implemented method includes receiving sensor data of the vehicle. For example, the sensor data includes vibration data and microphone data. The vibration data measures vibration experienced by an occupant of the vehicle. The microphone data measures noises experienced by the occupant, including noises emanated by the vehicle. The method further includes accessing a predetermined performance data of the vehicle and determining a difference in the received sensor data and the predetermined performance data. The method further includes transmitting a notification of condition of the vehicle in response to the difference surpassing a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes a steering system and a steering wheel configured to control the steering system. The vehicle additionally includes a dynamic vehicle balance control system configured to modify a yaw rate of the vehicle during a drive cycle to modify understeer behavior. The vehicle also includes a sensor configured to detect an operator force applied to the steering wheel. The vehicle further includes a controller. The controller is configured to, in response to a detected operator force applied to the steering wheel, command the dynamic vehicle balance control system to modify the yaw rate of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle employing an active aerodynamic control system is described. A method for controlling the active aerodynamic control system includes determining a target acceleration downforce associated with an acceleration request and vehicle speed, determining a target braking downforce associated with a braking request and vehicle speed, and determining a target cornering downforce associated with a cornering request and vehicle speed. A maximum downforce request and a second greatest downforce request of the target acceleration downforce, the target braking downforce, and the target cornering downforce are determined. A preferred front/rear distribution of downforce is determined based upon the maximum downforce request and the second greatest downforce request. The active aerodynamic control system is controlled based upon the preferred front/rear distribution of downforce and the maximum downforce request.

Abstract: A system is configured to control aerodynamics of a vehicle. The vehicle includes a body having a front end facing oncoming ambient airflow. The system includes a vehicle control device for receiving operator input to command a target vehicle dynamic response. A vehicle subsystem adjusts an actual vehicle dynamic response to the operator input. The system also includes an adjustable aerodynamic-aid element and a mechanism for varying the element's position to control movement of the airflow relative to the vehicle. At least one sensor detects the adjusted actual vehicle dynamic response and communicates a feedback signal indicative of the detected vehicle dynamic response to a controller. The controller also determines a target position for the aerodynamic-aid element using the detected adjusted actual vehicle dynamic response and regulates the aerodynamic-aid element to its target position via the mechanism to control the aerodynamics and achieve the target dynamic response of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method is provided for use with a vehicle collision system. The method includes detecting one or more object(s) in a host vehicle's field-of-view, calculating time-to-pass estimates for each of the detected object(s), wherein the time-to-pass estimates represent an expected time for a reference plane of the host vehicle to pass a reference plane of the detected object(s), and determining a potential collision between the host vehicle and the one or more detected object(s) based on the time-to-pass estimates.

Abstract: A splitter system for a vehicle includes a splitter body having a first splitter body side-section and a second splitter body side-section. The vehicle includes a vehicle body arranged along a longitudinal body axis and having a first vehicle body end configured to face incident ambient airflow. The splitter body is mounted at the first vehicle body end to generate an aerodynamic downforce thereon when the vehicle is in motion. A mechanism is configured to selectively and individually shift each of the first splitter body side-section and the second splitter body side-section relative to the first vehicle body end. The shifting of the splitter body side-sections by the mechanism in turn adjusts the aerodynamic downforce generated by the splitter body side-sections on the first vehicle body end.

Abstract: A system is configured to control aerodynamics of a vehicle. The vehicle includes a vehicle body having a front end facing an ambient airflow when the vehicle is in motion relative to a road surface. The system includes an adjustable aerodynamic-aid element mounted to the vehicle body. The system also includes a mechanism configured to vary a position of the adjustable aerodynamic-aid element relative to the vehicle body and thereby control movement of the airflow. The system additionally includes a sensor configured to detect a height of the vehicle body relative to a predetermined reference frame and a controller configured to receive a signal from the sensor indicative of the detected vehicle body height. The controller is also configured to determine a ride-height of the vehicle using the detected vehicle body height and to regulate the mechanism in response to the determined ride-height to control aerodynamics of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body arranged along a longitudinal axis and having a first vehicle body end configured to face oncoming ambient airflow when the vehicle is in motion relative to a road surface. The vehicle additionally includes a spoiler assembly mounted to the vehicle body. The spoiler assembly includes a spoiler body arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The spoiler assembly also includes a mechanism configured to vary a position of the spoiler body relative to the first vehicle body end. Such varying of the position of the spoiler body relative to the first vehicle body end is intended to control a movement of the ambient airflow relative to the vehicle body.

Abstract: A splitter system for a vehicle includes a splitter body having a first splitter body. The vehicle includes a vehicle body arranged along a longitudinal body axis and having a first vehicle body end configured to face oncoming ambient airflow. The splitter body is moveably mounted at the first vehicle body end and generates an aerodynamic downforce on the first vehicle body end when the vehicle is in motion. The splitter system also includes a mechanism configured to selectively translate the splitter body along the longitudinal body axis away from the first vehicle body end into the incident airflow and toward the first vehicle body end out of the incident airflow. The translation of the splitter body by the mechanism in turn adjusts the aerodynamic downforce generated by the splitter body on the first vehicle body end.

Abstract: The vehicle has a vehicle body including a first body end facing incident ambient airflow, a second body end opposite of the first body end, an underbody section spanning a distance between the first and second body ends, and vehicle subsystem arranged proximate the underbody section. A panel is moveably mounted to the underbody section and configured to regulate access of an underbody portion of the incident airflow to the subsystem. A mechanism is configured to shift the panel to selectively expose at least a part of the subsystem to the underbody portion of the incident airflow and shield the subsystem to thereby enhance aerodynamics of the vehicle body. A sensor detects a vehicle operating parameter and communicates the detected operating parameter to a controller. The controller is configured to regulate the mechanism and thereby shift the panel in response to the detected vehicle operating parameter.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine generating exhaust gas flow and a vehicle body having a first body end facing oncoming ambient airflow when the vehicle is in motion and an opposite second body end. A vehicle underbody section spans a distance between the first and second body ends. A diffuser disposed at the second body end controls an underbody airflow portion past the second body end. An exhaust duct discharges the exhaust gas via a duct outlet arranged between the underbody section and the diffuser. A first diffuser aperture aligns with the duct outlet for discharging the exhaust gas from the outlet to the ambient. A second diffuser aperture pulls at least a fraction of the underbody airflow over the duct outlet and through the first aperture. The first and second apertures accelerate the pulled underbody airflow to increase a downforce on the vehicle body at the second body end.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for controlling an incident ambient airflow in a vehicle. The vehicle includes a vehicle body with a first vehicle body end configured to face the incident ambient airflow when the vehicle is in motion relative to a road surface. The system includes a duct providing a conduit for the incident airflow into the vehicle body. The system also includes a shutter assembly configured to control the airflow through the duct and thereby regulate a downforce acting on the first vehicle body end. The shutter assembly may include an adjustable louver, a mechanism configured to select the position for the louver between and inclusive of fully opened and fully closed, and a controller configured to regulate the mechanism. The vehicle may also have a heat-absorbing subassembly, and the duct can provide a conduit for the incident airflow to the heat-absorbing subassembly for cooling thereof.

Abstract: A splitter system for a vehicle includes a splitter body having a first splitter body side-section and a second splitter body side-section. The vehicle includes a vehicle body arranged along a longitudinal body axis and having a first vehicle body end configured to face incident ambient airflow. The splitter body is mounted at the first vehicle body end to generate an aerodynamic downforce thereon when the vehicle is in motion. A mechanism is configured to selectively and individually shift each of the first splitter body side-section and the second splitter body side-section relative to the first vehicle body end. The shifting of the splitter body side-sections by the mechanism in turn adjusts the aerodynamic downforce generated by the splitter body side-sections on the first vehicle body end.

Abstract: A splitter system for a vehicle includes a splitter body having a first splitter body. The vehicle includes a vehicle body arranged along a longitudinal body axis and having a first vehicle body end configured to face oncoming ambient airflow. The splitter body is moveably mounted at the first vehicle body end and generates an aerodynamic downforce on the first vehicle body end when the vehicle is in motion. The splitter system also includes a mechanism configured to selectively translate the splitter body along the longitudinal body axis away from the first vehicle body end into the incident airflow and toward the first vehicle body end out of the incident airflow. The translation of the splitter body by the mechanism in turn adjusts the aerodynamic downforce generated by the splitter body on the first vehicle body end.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body arranged along a longitudinal axis and having a first vehicle body end configured to face oncoming ambient airflow when the vehicle is in motion relative to a road surface. The vehicle additionally includes a spoiler assembly mounted to the vehicle body. The spoiler assembly includes a spoiler body arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The spoiler assembly also includes a mechanism configured to vary a position of the spoiler body relative to the first vehicle body end. Such varying of the position of the spoiler body relative to the first vehicle body end is intended to control a movement of the ambient airflow relative to the vehicle body.