Patents Issued in March 28, 2017
  • Patent number: 9604605
    Abstract: A hybrid electro-mechanical brake (EMB) includes an actuator mounted at one side of a housing and generating a motor clamping force. A primary piston is connected to a spindle, which rotates by a motor clamping force of the actuator, to linearly move when the spindle rotates. A secondary piston linearly moves and is mounted between the housing and the primary piston to form a hydraulic chamber between the second piston and the primary piston. The hybrid EMB system generates a brake force by using the motor clamping force of the actuator and a hydraulic pressure in a hydraulic chamber. The actuator actuates to move the primary piston toward a front end of the secondary piston to increase a pressure in the hydraulic chamber, which is sealed, so that the brake force transferred to the secondary piston increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Jae Hun Shim, Sang Hyun Shim, Joung Hee Lee, Gab Bae Jeon
  • Patent number: 9604606
    Abstract: A method for controlling a pneumatic braking system of a utility vehicle that includes a service brake and an electric parking brake, an electronic control unit being provided for controlling the electric parking brake. The parking brake assists a brake intervention of the utility vehicle when there is a circuit failure of the service brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: KNORR-BREMSE Systeme fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventor: Eduard Hilberer
  • Patent number: 9604607
    Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle includes providing a vehicle having a brake system configured to operate according to a nominal mode in which applied braking pressure is based on a driver braking request, a first active braking mode in which applied braking pressure is based on maximum ABS braking pressure and decreased in response to a driver brake pedal release, and a second active braking mode in which applied braking pressure is based on maximum braking pressure. In response to a detected collision, the system is controlled according to the first active braking mode. In response to the first active braking mode being active and no driver braking request being anticipated, the system is controlled according to the second active braking mode. In response to the first or second active braking modes being active and a termination criterion being satisfied, the system is controlled according to the nominal mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Hassen Hammoud, Jianbo Lu, Gilberto Burgio, Todd N. Clark, Otto Hofmann, Mohsen Lakehal-Ayat, Shweta M. Farmer, Jason Shomsky, Roland Schaefer
  • Patent number: 9604608
    Abstract: An electric motor is controlled based on a target energization amount calculated based on an operation amount of a braking operation member. Based on the operation amount, it is determined whether or not an inertia compensation control for compensating for the influence of the inertia of a brake actuator is necessary. When the inertia compensation control is determined to be necessary, an inertia compensation energization amount compensating for the influence of the inertia of the brake actuator is calculated using a time-series pattern set in advance based on the maximum response of the brake actuator. Using the inertia compensation energization amount, the target energization amount is calculated. The vehicle brake control device causes an electric motor to generate a braking torque and appropriately compensates for the influence of the inertia of the entire device including the inertia of the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: ADVICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Yasui, Hiroyuki Kodama, Naotoshi Satake
  • Patent number: 9604609
    Abstract: An emergency in-lane steering assist system for use during a braking event comprises an object sensor for detecting the presence of an object in front of a motor vehicle and providing data from which the distance from the object to the motor vehicle is determined and a velocity sensor providing data from which the forward velocity of the motor vehicle is determined. A controller in communication with the object sensor and the velocity sensor calculates a Time to Contact (TTC) with the detected object and a steering system is responsive at least in part to operation by the controller. If the calculated TTC is less than a predetermined TTC, the controller provides a lateral steering input during the braking event to reduce the linear distance traveled by the motor vehicle relative to a predetermined path in the lane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Shane Elwart, Walter Joseph Talamonti, Doug Scott Rhode
  • Patent number: 9604610
    Abstract: In a method for setting a limiting value of a vehicle state variable in a driver assistance system, in particular in an electronic stability program ESP, accelerations are measured by the airbag sensor system, and are used in the event of an accident of low to medium severity to determine limiting values of the yaw acceleration and the yaw rate. These limiting values are used for monitoring the functionality of the yaw rate sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventor: Stephan Stabrey
  • Patent number: 9604611
    Abstract: An anti-lock brake system module for a trailer or dolly, including a module panel having a front side and a back side facing in an opposite direction to the front side, a plurality of anti-lock brake system components, at least a portion of the components attached to the front side of the module panel and at least a portion of the components attached to the back side of the module panel, the plurality of anti-lock brake system components including an anti-lock brake valve and an electronic control unit, and a mounting element for removably connecting the module panel to a mounting location, such as an I-beam, of the trailer or dolly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Haldex Brake Products Corporation
    Inventors: Victor J. Raye, Jerry J. Donovan, James L. Greene
  • Patent number: 9604612
    Abstract: A brake hydraulic pressure control device for a vehicle in which operation of a hydraulic pressure adjustment unit that can carry out adjustment involving individually increasing/decreasing brake hydraulic pressures applied to wheel brakes for front and rear wheels is controlled for allowing differential pressure between brake hydraulic pressures of the left and right wheel brakes, wherein allowable differential pressure setting means is arranged for setting the allowable differential pressure corresponding to the coefficient of friction of a road surface, hydraulic pressure acquisition means acquires a lock hydraulic pressure, which is a hydraulic pressure when starting anti-lock brake control for the respective wheel brake, and when the lock hydraulic pressure of the wheel brakes for the front wheels acquired by the hydraulic pressure acquisition means is no greater than a predetermined value, application of the allowable differential pressure corresponding to the coefficient of friction of the road surface
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignees: Autoliv Nissin Brake Systems Japan Co., Ltd., Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoaki Sekiya, Shigehiro Honda, Ryosuke Ueda
  • Patent number: 9604613
    Abstract: A braking control system associated with a towed apparatus is provided. The braking control system includes an intelligent control, an accelerometer electrically coupled to the intelligent control, a global positioning receiver electrically coupled to the intelligent control, and a visual indicator operatively coupled to the intelligent control. The braking control system may also include a wireless RF receiver operatively coupled to the intelligent control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: The Kyle Group, LLC
    Inventors: Byron D. Cooper, Carlton A. Saunders, Jr., Anthony M. Tate
  • Patent number: 9604614
    Abstract: A method and system for operating a brake system for motor vehicles, including a plurality of wheel brakes for which wheel-individual nominal pressure includes an electrically controllable pressure supply device, to provide a brake system pressure for actuating the wheel brakes. The brake system pressure provided by the pressure supply device can be determined. An electrically controllable inlet valve and electrically controllable outlet valve per wheel brake adjust wheel-individual brake pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventor: Hans-Jörg Feigel
  • Patent number: 9604615
    Abstract: In a method for carrying out a braking procedure in a vehicle having a hydraulic brake system, when the brake temperature exceeds a boundary value hydraulic fluid is intermediately stored in a storage chamber, and when brake fading occurs the hydraulic fluid is pumped back into the brake circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventor: Juergen Dorsch
  • Patent number: 9604616
    Abstract: A brake booster and related method for its operation for a vehicle, having a master brake cylinder having a first primary piston chamber that is variable using an adjustable first primary piston component, a braking force transmission component, using which at least one driver braking force is transmittable by the adjustable first primary piston component contacted by the braking force transmission component, and an adjustable second primary piston component, the master brake cylinder having a second primary piston chamber that is variable using the adjustable second primary piston component, and the brake booster has a booster force transmission component, using which a booster force from the actuator device is transmittable at least partially to the adjustable second primary piston component contacted by the booster force transmission component, and the braking force transmission component in its force-free initial position is distanced by a first free play from the first primary piston component and/or the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Reinhard Weiberle, Matthias Kistner
  • Patent number: 9604617
    Abstract: Disclosed is a hydraulic brake system comprising a master cylinder forming a braking hydraulic pressure according to an operation of a brake pedal, wheel brakes provided at a front wheel and a rear wheel, respectively, to provide a braking force by receiving the braking hydraulic pressure of the master cylinder, solenoid valves provided at an inlet side and an outlet side of each of the wheel brakes to control a flow of the braking hydraulic pressure, a low pressure accumulator temporarily storing oil discharged from the wheel brake during a pressure reducing braking in which the solenoid valve operates, a pump configured to compress oil stored in the low pressure accumulator such that the oil is discharged toward the wheel brake or the master cylinder according to a demand, and an orifice provided at an outlet side of the pump, wherein the orifice includes an outer case and an inner case provided to form a space between the outer case and the inner case while assembled to the outer case, a first oil passage
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoon-Ho Doh
  • Patent number: 9604618
    Abstract: A regulatable brake booster and to a method and a control unit for operating same. Using the method for operating the brake booster, as well as the embodiment of the brake booster, a reaction on a driver may be avoided or reduced by an offset of the brake pedal or by a changed operating force in response to a change in the supporting force. The change in the supporting force is particularly an adjustment of the braking effect of an hydraulic braking system to the braking effect of a regenerative braking system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventor: Dirk Mahnkopf
  • Patent number: 9604619
    Abstract: A brake control apparatus includes a master cylinder configured to generate a brake pressure according to a depressing force of a brake pedal; an electric motor configured to operate the master cylinder; a control board configured to control the electric motor; and a board receiving portion arranged along an outer circumference of the master cylinder. The board receiving portion receives the control board such that a component-mounting surface of the control board faces in an axial direction of the master cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirofumi Watanabe, Daisuke Yasukawa, Kazuhiko Nakano
  • Patent number: 9604620
    Abstract: An air dryer system for a locomotive having optimized purge air control over a twin tower desiccant-type air dryer. The computer controlled locomotive brake system is used to determine when the air dryer is being used and approximately how much air flow has actually passed through the active tower of the dryer using the air consumption state, the change of pressure in the second main reservoir, the air compressor on/off state, the total accumulated time of air flow since last purge cycle, and/or the calculated air flow through the air dryer since the last purge cycle. When the actual air flow reaches the capacity of the active tower of the air dryer, the computer controlled locomotive brake system commands the air dryer to perform a purge cycle. The system thus maximizes the use of each tower in the air dryer rather than switching according to a preset time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: NEW YORK AIR BRAKE, LLC
    Inventor: Eric C. Wright
  • Patent number: 9604621
    Abstract: A housing projection is formed at a bottom of a second reservoir hole in a housing. According to this, a tip side in a press-fitting direction of a sleeve tends to deform inwardly in a radial direction and escape from the housing in a process of press-fitting the sleeve 88 into the second reservoir hole, since an inner slant part of the tip side of the sleeve contacts to a contacting surface of the housing projection, deformation of the tip side of the sleeve 88 is suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: ADVICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Fumitoshi Koyama
  • Patent number: 9604622
    Abstract: A vehicle electric braking device wherein: a first degree of contribution associated with the actual pressing force value and a second degree of contribution associated with an estimated pressing force value, are determined based on operation amount of a braking operation member; the second degree of contribution is determined to be larger than the first degree when the operation amount is small; the first degree of contribution is determined to be larger than the second when the operation amount is large; a combined pressing force is calculated based on a value obtained by accounting for the first degree of contribution in the actual pressing force value and a value obtained by accounting for the second degree of contribution in the estimated pressing force value; and an electric motor target power supply amount is calculated based on the combined pressing force and a target pressing force calculated from the operation amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: ADVICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Yasui, Hiroyuki Kodama, Yusuke Oshio
  • Patent number: 9604623
    Abstract: A drive control system for an electric motor includes a slippage determination device, a tentative vibration damper torque calculator, a vibration damper torque limit value setting device, a vibration damper torque setting device, and a control device. The vibration damper torque setting device is configured to set a control torque obtained by limiting a tentative vibration damper torque using a limit value set by the vibration damper torque limit value setting device. The control device is configured to control driving of the electric motor in accordance with a command value of a torque obtained by combining a requested torque for the electric motor with the control torque set by the vibration damper torque setting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hirohito Ide
  • Patent number: 9604624
    Abstract: A method of controlling traveling of a vehicle may include a measuring step that measures a longitudinal acceleration sensing value by a longitudinal acceleration sensor on a vehicle, a longitudinal acceleration calculating step that calculates a longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle from a speed of the vehicle, a slope degree calculating step that calculates a slope degree of a ground on which the vehicle is, from the longitudinal acceleration sensing value and the calculated longitudinal acceleration, a determining step that determines a slope direction and a slope level of the ground from the calculated slope degree, and a controlling step that provides in advance a torque amount, which is distributed from main driving wheels to sub-driving wheels for traveling, to a power distribution device, at different levels in accordance with the slope direction and the slope level of the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Hyundai Wia Corporation
    Inventors: Sung Keun Lim, Ji Soo Lee, Heon Kang
  • Patent number: 9604625
    Abstract: A process for controlling a vehicle start-stop operation having a hybrid drive with an internal-combustion engine and an electric motor, a service brake with an ABS and an electric parking brake, includes: determining, monitoring and analyzing performance parameters of the vehicle, the internal-combustion engine, the electric motor, the service brake and the parking brake; automatically releasing the parking brake in the case of a starting prompt because of determined performance parameters; driving the vehicle by the electric motor for the start; starting the engine by the electric motor if the engine is switched off; driving the vehicle by the electric motor and the engine; activating a generator operation of the electric motor in the case of a braking prompt because of determined performance parameters; activating the service brake; and automatically locking the electric parking brake when the vehicle is stopped after a previously definable deceleration time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventor: Eduard Hilberer
  • Patent number: 9604626
    Abstract: An ECU performs a control process including the steps of: acquiring information about a gear, a vehicle speed, a depression amount of an accelerator pedal, and a transmission mode being selected; calculating a reference value; calculating a restriction value; calculating a target value of the SOC; calculating a required electric power value; and outputting a command value for the engine torque and respective torque command values for a first MG and a second MG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shunya Kato
  • Patent number: 9604627
    Abstract: A controller of a thermal management system for a vehicle controls a first switching valve and a second switching valve to set a battery warming-up state in which a heat medium circulates between a battery-temperature adjustment heat exchanger and a heat-medium heating heat exchanger, and the heat medium does not circulate between a coolant-coolant heat exchanger and a heat-medium heating heat exchanger when both a battery and an engine need to be warmed up. In contrast, the controller controls the first switching valve and the second switching valve to set an engine warming-up state in which the heat medium circulates through between the coolant-coolant heat exchanger and the heat-medium heating heat exchanger while the heat medium does not circulate between a battery-temperature adjustment heat exchanger and the heat-medium heating heat exchanger when a temperature of the battery exceeds a target battery warming-up temperature in the battery warming-up state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi Yamanaka, Yasumitsu Omi, Koji Miura, Norihiko Enomoto
  • Patent number: 9604628
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an engine and an electric machine selectively coupled to the engine via a clutch. The engine, electric machine, and clutch are arranged along a common axis. At least one controller is programmed to execute various commands when the vehicle is in park or neutral and the accelerator pedal of the vehicle is depressed. This enhances perceived vehicle reactions in response to accelerator pedal movement. To do so, the controller is programmed to control a rate of speed increase of the electric machine based on a rate of the depression of the accelerator pedal (e.g., “speed control”). Furthermore, the torque output of the engine is controlled to a target value irrespective of engine speed and engine torque is converted into electric energy via the electric machine (e.g., “torque control”). The rate of speed increase of the electric machine is altered when the engine is started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Xiaoyong Wang, Wei Liang, Rajit Johri, Mark Steven Yamazaki, Ming Lang Kuang, Ryan Abraham McGee
  • Patent number: 9604629
    Abstract: A control device controlling a hybrid vehicle provided with a planetary gear mechanism including a first gear connected to a first rotary electric machine, a carrier connected to an engine shaft of an internal combustion engine, and a second gear connected to a drive shaft to which a second rotary electric machine is connected and a rotation blocking mechanism blocking the rotation of the engine shaft in the other direction adjusts the ratio of a first torque to a total torque based on the result of the determination of whether or not the temperature of a first gear mechanism satisfies a desired condition in a case where the hybrid vehicle travels in a dual drive traveling mode in which the hybrid vehicle travels by using both the first torque output by the first rotary electric machine and a second torque output by the second rotary electric machine in a state where the internal combustion engine is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Oshiumi
  • Patent number: 9604630
    Abstract: A hybrid system torque control method and hybrid automobile using same, the method comprising the following steps: (1) analyzing the torque required by a driver; (2) allocating and coordinating the multiple-source torque. The method ensures a consistent driving feel within the range of real-time power source torque capacity, and facilitates hybrid system matching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: SAIC MOTOR CORPORATION LIMITED
    Inventors: Yuxing Zhou, Pengjun Zhang, Jun Zhu, Xiaoguang Deng, Jun Sun
  • Patent number: 9604631
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle and an air-conditioning system thereof. A heating part of the air-conditioning system may be provided with an electric heating device (120, 220) and a water heating device (130, 230), the electric heating device (120, 220) is turned on and the water heating device (130, 230) is turned off when the temperature of engine cooling water is lower than a preset temperature threshold, and the electric heating device (120, 220) is turned off and the water heating device (130, 230) is turned on when the temperature is higher than the preset temperature threshold. A refrigerating part of the air-conditioning system may comprise a mechanical compressor and selected auxiliary power units (20) as a portion of a plurality of auxiliary power units, and when cold air flow needs to be supplied, an air-conditioning controller (110, 210) sends an enabling instruction to a power controller (61) to control the selected auxiliary power units (20) to enter a forced working mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignees: Zhejiang Geely Automotive Reseach Institute Co. Ltd., Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shufu Li
  • Patent number: 9604632
    Abstract: A vehicle control system is provided to reduce a change in drive force and to start an engine without delay when starting the engine by a motor during running. The control system is applied to a hybrid vehicle having an internal combustion engine and two motors supplied electric power from a battery. The control system comprises a determination means that determines a fact that a state of charge of the battery is lower than a first threshold, during propelling the vehicle by the two motors by supplying the electric power from the battery while stopping the engine (at step S2); and a drive force restriction means that restricts a total drive force of said two motors for propelling the vehicle to an allowable limit which is lower than a theoretical maximum drive force of said two motors, given that the state of charge of the battery is lower than a first threshold (at step S3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hirotatsu Kitabatake, Yuji Iwase, Hideaki Komada, Yosuke Suzuki, Masafumi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 9604633
    Abstract: A travel route from the current location to the destination is divided into a plurality of sections. Travel modes of a vehicle include an EV mode, which uses the motor as the drive source, and an HV mode, which uses at least the internal combustion engine as the drive source. A road load for traveling each section in the EV mode is set. A travel support device includes a planner and a setter. The planner plans, for each section, the travel mode by selecting one of the EV mode, and an HV mode. When a planned section of the travel mode is switched from an EV mode-planned section to an HV mode-planned section, the setter sets the travel mode to continue traveling in the EV mode, on the condition that a remaining charge of the battery is less than a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yuki Ogawa
  • Patent number: 9604634
    Abstract: An apparatus for activating a catalyst of a hybrid vehicle may include: an engine including a plurality of cylinders, at least one intake valve and at least one exhaust valve, a variable valve apparatus adjusting lift and opening timing of the intake valve and exhaust valve, an integrated starter-generator, a driving information detector detecting driving information including a vehicle speed, a displacement of an accelerator pedal, and a displacement of a brake pedal, an exhaust gas purification apparatus, and a controller cutting off fuel supplied into the cylinder, opening the exhaust valve by using the variable valve apparatus during a suction stroke, and generating electrical energy through the integrated starter-generator when a regenerative braking condition of a hybrid vehicle is satisfied from the driving information detected by the driving information detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Myung Jun Lee
  • Patent number: 9604635
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an engine and a motor that are both capable of powering the wheels. While a vehicle is being driven, the vehicle's driving condition data is monitored. The driving condition data can include steering wheel angle or position, accelerator pedal position, driver torque or power demands, or road grade or incline. The vehicle includes a controller with a specific control scheme to receive the driving condition data, and subject the data to a moving average or a weighted moving average. Based on the averaged driving condition data, the engine is inhibited from stopping under certain conditions to reduce the frequency of the engine turning on and off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rajit Johri, Xiaoyong Wang, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Mark Steven Yamazaki, Ming Lang Kuang, Jason Meyer
  • Patent number: 9604636
    Abstract: A turning-characteristic estimating unit of an ECU estimates a stability factor and a steering-response time constant coefficient that are parameter values related to turning characteristics of a vehicle. A standard yaw rate of the vehicle is calculated using the estimation values of the stability factor and the steering-response time constant coefficient estimated by the turning-characteristic estimating unit. A validity determining unit of the ECU determines the validity of the estimation values based on the standard yaw rate and an actual yaw rate of the vehicle. This allows improving the estimation accuracy of the stability factor and the steering-response time constant coefficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takahiro Yokota
  • Patent number: 9604637
    Abstract: A vehicle acceleration suppression device and a vehicle acceleration suppression method are provided to be capable of suppressing a degradation in a drive performance and suppressing acceleration at the time of an incorrect manipulation of an accelerator, at the time of parking. Based on a parking frame certainty degree indicative of a degree of certainty that there is a parking frame in a vehicle travel direction and a parking frame entering certainty degree indicative of a degree of certainty that the vehicle enters the parking frame, a total certainty degree indicative of a total degree of certainty of the parking frame certainty degree and the parking frame entering certainty degree is set. As the total certainty degree is higher, a suppression degree of the vehicle acceleration to be controlled in response to a manipulation amount of an accelerator pedal manipulated by a driver to instruct a drive force is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu Fukata, Yasuhisa Hayakawa, Akira Morimoto, Daisuke Tanaka, Daisuke Oiki
  • Patent number: 9604638
    Abstract: A parking assist system includes an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to detect an obstacle. The electronic control unit is configured to determine whether a vehicle is allowed to run over the obstacle. The electronic control unit is configured to, when it is determined that the vehicle is allowed to run over the obstacle, set a target position, to which the vehicle moves, to a position at which the vehicle overlaps with the obstacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignees: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yusuke Kiyokawa, Masaya Kato, Tomohisa Yamashita, Tomoyuki Matsuba, Hironobu Ishijima, Keisuke Oyama
  • Patent number: 9604639
    Abstract: A pedestrian-intent-detection system for automated operation of a host-vehicle (e.g. automated vehicle) includes an object-detection device and a controller. The object-detection device is operable to detect an object proximate to a host-vehicle. The controller is in communication with the object-detection device. The controller is configured to determine when the object detected by the object-detection device is a pedestrian based on a detection-characteristic of the pedestrian indicated by the object-detection device. The controller is further configured to define a size of a caution-area located proximate to the pedestrian based on a behavior-characteristic (e.g. intent) of the pedestrian indicated by the object-detection device. The controller is further configured to operate (e.g. brake, steer) the host-vehicle in order to avoid the caution-area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael H. Laur, Serge Lambermont
  • Patent number: 9604640
    Abstract: Disclosed is a collision avoidance assistance device including: an assistance region setting unit is configured to set an assistance region in the vicinity of a vehicle based on a set lateral acceleration determined according to a vehicle speed during steering; and an assistance control unit is configured to permit collision avoidance assistance for the vehicle when an obstacle is detected within the assistance region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuki Yoshihama, Toshinori Okita
  • Patent number: 9604641
    Abstract: A system and method for providing vehicle collision avoidance at an intersection include receiving vehicle parameters from a reference vehicle and environmental parameters from roadside equipment. The system and method also include processing a vehicle behavioral map based on the vehicle parameters and the environmental parameters and transmitting the vehicle behavioral map to a target vehicle. The system and method additionally include processing a confidence table based on the vehicle behavioral map and vehicle parameters provided by the target vehicle. The system and method further include providing a collision avoidance response based on the confidence table, wherein the collision avoidance response is provided to the target vehicle to avoid a possible collision with the reference vehicle at the intersection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Samir K. Al-Stouhi
  • Patent number: 9604642
    Abstract: Positioning autonomous vehicles based on field of view, including: identifying, by a vehicle management module, one or more critical sight lines for a subject vehicle, each critical sight line representing a boundary of an area of space surrounding the subject vehicle; determining, by the vehicle management module, physical location information for one or more surrounding vehicles; determining, by the vehicle management module in dependence upon the physical location information for one or more surrounding vehicles, whether one or more surrounding vehicles are located within the area of space surrounding the subject vehicle; and responsive to determining that one or more surrounding vehicles are located within the area of space surrounding the subject vehicle, altering a location of the subject vehicle relative to at least one of the surrounding vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Lenovo Enterprise Solutions (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Gary D. Cudak, David G. Dean, Christopher J. Hardee, William E. Lohmeyer, Jr., Bryan M. Reese, J. Mark Weber
  • Patent number: 9604643
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling driving of a vehicle is provided. The method includes initiating a creep entry by determining whether the vehicle is driven at a low speed that is equal to or less than creep speed during a stop of the vehicle and initiating control in a creep mode. A launch entry is initiated by determining whether both an APS condition in which an APS is equal to or greater than a reference APS in a creep mode and an engine torque condition that an engine torque is equal to or greater than a reference engine torque are satisfied and converting a current mode into an launch mode. A tip-out entry is initiated by determining whether an APS is less than the reference APS in a launch mode and converting a current mode into a tip-out mode for gradually reducing the engine torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Jin Sung Kim, Ju Hyun Nam
  • Patent number: 9604644
    Abstract: A running control system for vehicles is provided to reduce uncomfortable feeling during coasting by adjusting a braking force. The running control system is applied to a vehicle having a braking device adapted to generate a braking force according to an operation of a driver irrespective of an engagement state of the engagement elements disposed between a prime mover and drive wheels. The running control system comprises a controller that applies a braking force of the prime mover to the drive wheels by bringing the engagement elements into engagement to enable torque transmission between the prime mover and the drive wheels, when the braking force of the braking device is eliminated by aborting an operation of the braking device during coasting while disengaging the engagement elements to interrupt torque transmission between the prime mover and the drive wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Jonggap Kim
  • Patent number: 9604645
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for performing a multiple gear downshift of a transmission gear by transiently operating in an intermediate gear. In response to ambient humidity and a condensate level in a charge air cooler, the transmission gear may be downshifted from a higher gear to an intermediate gear, and then to a requested lower gear. Downshifting through an intermediate gear may also be controlled based on the gear shift request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Shuya Shark Yamada
  • Patent number: 9604646
    Abstract: A control device of a vehicle has a hill ascent angle update determiner, a slope estimator, a deceleration determiner, and a hill ascent angle estimator. The deceleration determiner determines that a vehicle is in a deceleration state when the throttle opening is equal to or lower than a threshold. The hill ascent angle update determiner prohibits update processing of an estimated hill ascent angle in the increase direction by the hill ascent angle estimator if the slope estimator estimates that a road surface has an upward slope and the deceleration determiner determines that the vehicle is in the deceleration state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masanori Nakamura, Dai Arai
  • Patent number: 9604647
    Abstract: A method detects a lack of driver activity at the steering wheel of a motor vehicle. A moment imparted by hand to the steering wheel by the driver is repeatedly measured, and if in a plurality of successive measurements the magnitude of a value of the moment imparted by hand does not exceed a threshold value, a lack of driver activity is inferred. The magnitude of the threshold value is dependent on the surface condition, in particular on the degree of unevenness, of the roadway being traveled upon. The degree of unevenness of the roadway may be derived from a measured vertical acceleration in the wheel suspension of the vehicle or from deceleration and/or acceleration signals of at least one wheel of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoern Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Dieter Ganesch
  • Patent number: 9604648
    Abstract: A system for determining driver performance based on vehicle geolocation comprises one or more onboard vehicle sensors, one or more processors, and a memory. The one or more onboard vehicle sensors are configured to detect driving data of a moving vehicle. The one or more processors are configured to determine driver performance based at least in part on the driving data. The driver performance is normalized for a vehicle geolocation. The memory is coupled to the one or more processors and configured to provide the processor with instructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Lytx, Inc.
    Inventors: Roni Tamari, Joshua Donald Botnen
  • Patent number: 9604649
    Abstract: A method and system for determining whether a driver of a vehicle is in contact with a steering wheel of the vehicle is provided. One embodiment of the method includes the steps of generating a perturbation signal that causes vibration of the steering wheel and receiving a steering signal from a steering system sensor configured to provide an indication of at least one of a steering torque and a steering movement of a component of an electronic power steering system of the vehicle. The method further includes the steps of mixing the perturbation signal and the steering signal to produce a heterodyne signal and generating a driver contact signal indicative of whether the driver of the vehicle is in contact with the steering wheel of the vehicle, the value of the driver contact signal dependent on characteristics of the heterodyne signal relating to the perturbation signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Stephen R. Pastor, Kenneth L. Oblizajek, Jin-Woo Lee
  • Patent number: 9604650
    Abstract: A remote start signal is received wirelessly from outside a motor vehicle and, upon receiving the remote start signal, an internal combustion engine in the vehicle is started and a first device group is activated, including at least one device designed to prepare driving off with the motor vehicle, thus setting the motor vehicle to a “remote start” state. A control unit of the motor vehicle is designed to determine whether, in the “remote start” state and before driving off, a person is carrying out a predetermined operating action in or on the motor vehicle that is unsuitable for driving off and, if necessary, to switch the motor vehicle to an “ignition ON” state in which the internal combustion engine is switched off and a second device group consisting of at least one comfort device is switched ready for operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventor: Martin Geissenhöner
  • Patent number: 9604651
    Abstract: A computer system comprising a processor, a non-transitory memory, and an application stored in the non-transitory memory. When executed by the processor, the application determines that a telematics unit (TU) has connected to a messaging gateway, determines communication services to which the TU is entitled, generates metadata based on the communication services to which the TU is entitled, where the metadata comprises instructions to the TU to subscribe to topics supported by a publish-subscribe messaging gateway, and transmits the metadata to the TU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Sridhar Reddy Amireddy, David A. Haugh, Alex J. Oyler, Joshua D. Turner
  • Patent number: 9604652
    Abstract: A driver assistance system and an operating method thereof are configured and adapted to perform autonomous longitudinal and/or lateral control of a vehicle. At least one control task for longitudinal and/or lateral control of the vehicle can be transferred from the driver to the driver assistance system. This involves informing the driver that a control task can be transferred to the system, and then transferring the control task from the driver to the system in response to the driver ceasing a manual control of this control task.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventor: Matthias Strauss
  • Patent number: 9604653
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving vehicle performance and efficiency. The performance is improved by allowing the user to customize parameters and other features through the use of an interface accessible to the vehicle operator or owner, which enables and encourages development and rewards many stakeholders including vehicle producers and third party vendors (e.g. aftermarket), customers, maintenance service providers, and insurance companies. One form of performance improvement, a novel method of accomplishing an enhanced form of energy efficiency calculation for near real-time display to the operator, is provided in detail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Inventor: Michael Gerard Blum
  • Patent number: 9604654
    Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for supplying a rail vehicle with electrical energy. One electrical machine is allocated to each of at least two internal combustion engines for generating electrical energy. A common controller is designed to start the internal combustion engines individually as required. At least one pre-heating device is designed to pre-heat the internal combustion engines before a start. A temperature detection device is thermally coupled to the internal combustion engines. The controller is designed, during an operation of one of the internal combustion engines, to start another of the internal combustion engines if, due to cooling of the other internal combustion engine, a temperature of the other internal combustion engine detected by a temperature identifying device reaches or exceeds a temperature threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Bombardier Transportation GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Sonnleitner, Andreas Buchner, Michael Kretz