Abstract: In one embodiment, one or more suspension systems of a vehicle may be used to mitigate motion sickness by limiting motion in one or more frequency ranges. In another embodiment, an active suspension may be integrated with an autonomous vehicle architecture. In yet another embodiment, the active suspension system of a vehicle may be used to induce motion in a vehicle. The vehicle may be used as a testbed for technical investigations and/or as a platform to enhance the enjoyment of video and/or audio by vehicle occupants. In some embodiments, the active suspensions system may be used to perform gestures as a means of communication with persons inside or outside the vehicle. In some embodiments, the active suspensions system may be used to generate haptic warnings to a vehicle operator or other persons in response to certain road situations.

Abstract: Combination reactive-proactive controllers and their use are described herein. In a first mode of operation, such controllers may rely simultaneously both a priori information about a road surface ahead of the vehicle obtained from a data base and real time information collected by one or more on-board sensors. Alternatively, in a second mode, such controllers may rely only on real time information collected by one or more on-board sensors. Systems controlled by such controllers may include, but are not limited to, active suspension actuators.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a rapid-response active suspension system controls suspension force and position for improving vehicle safety and drivability. The system may interface with various sensors that detect safety critical vehicle states and adjust the suspension of each wheel to improve safety. Pre-crash and collision sensors may notify the active suspension controller of a collision and the stance may be adjusted to improve occupant safety during an impact while maintaining active control of the wheels. Wheel forces may also be controlled to improve the effectiveness of vehicle safety systems such as ABS and ESP in order to improve traction. Also, bi-directional information may be communicated between the active suspension system and other vehicle safety systems such that each system may respond to information provided to the other.

Abstract: Methods related to the control of vehicle systems while a vehicle is traveling along a road surface are disclosed. In some implementations, data related to the road surface ahead of the vehicle is separated into first and second frequency ranges. Commands for a vehicle system may then be determined for the different frequency ranges and the vehicle system may be controlled based at least in part on the separate commands for the separate frequency ranges. This may include determining a combined system command based at least in part on the separate commands for the separate frequency ranges in some implementations.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein include implementation of road surface-based localization techniques for advanced vehicle features and control methods including advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), lane drift detection, passing guidance, bandwidth conservation and caching based on road data, vehicle speed correction, suspension and vehicle system performance tracking and control, road estimation calibration, and others.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein include implementation of road surface-based localization techniques for advanced vehicle features and control methods including advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), lane drift detection, passing guidance, bandwidth conservation and caching based on road data, vehicle speed correction, suspension and vehicle system performance tracking and control, road estimation calibration, and others.

Abstract: A method of on-demand energy delivery to an active suspension system comprising an actuator body, hydraulic pump, electric motor, plurality of sensors, energy storage facility, and controller is provided. The method comprises disposing an active suspension system in a vehicle between a wheel mount and a vehicle body, detecting a wheel event requiring control of the active suspension; and sourcing energy from the energy storage facility and delivering it to the electric motor in response to the wheel event.

Abstract: An exemplary actuator includes a motor, a transmission, and a support structure. The motor includes two torque sources that apply respective input torques to a rotor, which rotates about a rotation axis in response to a net input torque. The torque sources are arranged such that the input torques are additive, resulting in a vector-summated torque output. The torque sources also generate corresponding reactive torques that are applied to the first stator and the second stator. The transmission couples and constrains the first stator and the second stator such that rotational motion of one stator causes counter rotation of the other stator. Thus, the reactive torques are subtractive resulting a differential torque output. In some applications, the differential torque output is used to actuate a suspension of a vehicle. The actuator is also coupled to the vehicle via the support structure, which also reflects a reaction force or torque to actuate other subsystems (e.g., anti-dive, anti-squat).

Abstract: The present disclosure discusses an active seating system that includes a load leveling mechanism. The load leveling mechanism includes a force bias actuator assembly, a roll actuator assembly, a heave actuator assembly, a first torsion rod connected to the force bias actuator and the roll actuator, and a second torsion rod connected to the force bias actuator and the heave actuator. Each of the force bias actuator assembly, roll actuator assembly, and heave actuator assemblies comprises a housing, a DC motor disposed within the housing, and a ball screw with a driveshaft, the driveshaft of the ball screw being coaxial with a rotor of the DC motor. The active seating system also includes a seat top and an interface configured to mount the seat top to the load leveling mechanism.

Abstract: A method of on-demand energy delivery to an active suspension system comprising an actuator body, hydraulic pump, electric motor, plurality of sensors, energy storage facility, and controller is provided. The method comprises disposing an active suspension system in a vehicle between a wheel mount and a vehicle body, detecting a wheel event requiring control of the active suspension; and sourcing energy from the energy storage facility and delivering it to the electric motor in response to the wheel event.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein include implementation of road surface-based localization techniques for advanced vehicle features and control methods including confidence-based consumption, air suspension control systems and methods, end of travel management, road profile creation techniques, and others.

Abstract: A method of on-demand energy delivery to an active suspension system comprising an actuator body, hydraulic pump, electric motor, plurality of sensors, energy storage facility, and controller is provided. The method comprises disposing an active suspension system in a vehicle between a wheel mount and a vehicle body, detecting a wheel event requiring control of the active suspension; and sourcing energy from the energy storage facility and delivering it to the electric motor in response to the wheel event.

Abstract: Methods and systems related to determining the ordering and/or positioning of travel lanes on a road segment are disclosed. In some embodiments, this may include obtaining and clustering road surface profiles associated with a road segment using, for example, a degree of similarity or other appropriate metric. A lateral offset or position of the clustered profiles may be used in determining the lane ordering and/or position. The resulting lane specific information may be used to determine a travel lane for a vehicle by comparing a current road-profile obtained from the vehicle and the road profile information associated with the different lanes. In other embodiments, a method and/or system for augmenting a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) signal may include using a raw GNSS signal and a GNSS location associated with terrain-based data to determine a lateral offset for use in determining a corrected GNSS location of the vehicle.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a rapid-response active suspension system controls suspension force and position for improving vehicle safety and drivability. The system may interface with various sensors that detect safety critical vehicle states and adjust the suspension of each wheel to improve safety. Pre-crash and collision sensors may notify the active suspension controller of a collision and the stance may be adjusted to improve occupant safety during an impact while maintaining active control of the wheels. Wheel forces may also be controlled to improve the effectiveness of vehicle safety systems such as ABS and ESP in order to improve traction. Also, bi-directional information may be communicated between the active suspension system and other vehicle safety systems such that each system may respond to information provided to the other.

Abstract: An exemplary actuator includes a motor, a transmission, and a support structure. The motor includes two torque sources that apply respective input torques to a rotor, which rotates about a rotation axis in response to a net input torque. The torque sources are arranged such that the input torques are additive, resulting in a vector-summated torque output. The torque sources also generate corresponding reactive torques that are applied to the first stator and the second stator. The transmission couples and constrains the first stator and the second stator such that rotational motion of one stator causes counter rotation of the other stator. Thus, the reactive torques are subtractive resulting a differential torque output. In some applications, the differential torque output is used to actuate a suspension of a vehicle. The actuator is also coupled to the vehicle via the support structure, which also reflects a reaction force or torque to actuate other subsystems (e.g., anti-dive, anti-squat).

Abstract: Various systems and methods are disclosed for anticipating the occurrence and/or mitigating the severity and/or duration of kinetosis experienced by one or more occupants of a vehicle. This is especially while the vehicle is travelling over a road surface and one or more occupants are performing tasks that require visual focus. Also, disclosed are systems and methods for predicting or otherwise determining aspects of head motion and characteristics of the eye motion of an occupant of a vehicle and of using that information to mitigate kinetosis by controlling an aspect of vehicle motion.

Abstract: In one embodiment, one or more suspension systems of a vehicle may be used to mitigate motion sickness by limiting motion in one or more frequency ranges. In another embodiment, an active suspension may be integrated with an autonomous vehicle architecture. In yet another embodiment, the active suspension system of a vehicle may be used to induce motion in a vehicle. The vehicle may be used as a testbed for technical investigations and/or as a platform to enhance the enjoyment of video and/or audio by vehicle occupants. In some embodiments, the active suspensions system may be used to perform gestures as a means of communication with persons inside or outside the vehicle. In some embodiments, the active suspensions system may be used to generate haptic warnings to a vehicle operator or other persons in response to certain road situations.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a rapid-response active suspension system controls suspension force and position for improving vehicle safety and drivability. The system may interface with various sensors that detect safety critical vehicle states and adjust the suspension of each wheel to improve safety. Pre-crash and collision sensors may notify the active suspension controller of a collision and the stance may be adjusted to improve occupant safety during an impact while maintaining active control of the wheels. Wheel forces may also be controlled to improve the effectiveness of vehicle safety systems such as ABS and ESP in order to improve traction. Also, bi-directional information may be communicated between the active suspension system and other vehicle safety systems such that each system may respond to information provided to the other.

Abstract: Integrated multiple actuator electro-hydraulic systems as well as their methods of use are described. Depending on the particular application, the integrated electro-hydraulic systems may exhibit different frequency responses and/or may be integrated into a single combined unit.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are hydraulic actuators and methods for the operation of actuators having variable relative pressure ratios. Further disclosed are methods for designing and/or operating a hydraulic actuator such that the actuator exhibits a variable relative pressure ratio. In certain embodiments, the relative pressure ratio of the hydraulic actuator may be dependent on one or more characteristics (such as, for example, frequency or rate of change) of an oscillating input to the hydraulic actuator.