Patents Issued in February 15, 2018
  • Publication number: 20180043864
    Abstract: In an aspect, a conveyor system for moving a wheeled structure through a service line is provided. The conveyor system comprises at least one endless belt mounted longitudinally through the service line. The belt has an upper transport portion for moving the vehicle through the service line, and a lower return portion with a support deck below the upper transport portion to support the belt. A debris deflector is mounted between the upper transport portion and the lower return portion to protect the lower return portion from debris falling through the support deck.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Robert STEPHENSON, Paul ADAMS
  • Publication number: 20180043865
    Abstract: A brake pedal assembly of a braking system for a vehicle includes a brake pedal pivotally engaged to a support structure at a first pivot axis. A linkage of the brake pedal assembly is pivotally engaged to the brake pedal at a second pivot axis spaced from the first pivot access by a distance. An adjustment mechanism of the assembly is carried by the brake pedal and is constructed and arranged to alter the distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Brandon C. Pennala, Eric E. Krueger, Paul A. Kilmurray
  • Publication number: 20180043866
    Abstract: A brake pedal assembly of a brake emulator includes a resiliently flexible arm constructed and arranged to include a flexibility that mimics, at least in-part, a pre-determined braking force profile. The flexible arm includes opposite first and second end portions and a pivot point disposed there-between.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Patrick J. Monsere, Brandon C. Pennala, Christopher C. Chappell, Paul A. Kilmurray
  • Publication number: 20180043867
    Abstract: Performance electric parking brake controllers determine braking control signals for a performance electric parking brake system of a vehicle based on differing sets of operating conditions of the vehicle. A controller is configured to electromechanically actuate rear brake calipers of the vehicle in response to a first set of operating conditions of the vehicle, to hydraulically actuate front brake calipers and the rear brake calipers of the vehicle in response to a second set of operating conditions of the vehicle, and to hydraulically actuate only the rear brake calipers in response to a third set of operating conditions of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Brian Marvin Lemmer, Curtis Hargitt, Greg David Folta, Chad Michael Korte, Scott Mlynarczyk, Alexander Ferencz
  • Publication number: 20180043868
    Abstract: A braking system for controlling braking of a machine is disclosed. The braking system includes a first set of sensors to detect a first set of information indicative of operational characteristics of an engine and a transmission system. The braking system includes a second set of sensors to detect a second set of information indicative of a load of the machine and a profile of a work surface. The braking system includes a receiving unit to receive a third set of information indicative of a predefined route of the machine. The braking system includes a controller configured to control an actuator for opening and closing of an exhaust port for engine braking, and to control a valve for achieving a predetermined gear-ratio during the engine braking, based on the first set of information, the second set of information, and the third set of information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Xinyu Ge, Hua Gu
  • Publication number: 20180043869
    Abstract: A brake control apparatus includes: a master cylinder that outputs a brake fluid at a master pressure; a master pressure changing device that is configured to change the master pressure irrespective of an operation of a brake pedal; a brake actuator; and a control unit that executes vehicle stability control by changing a brake pressure of a target wheel. Modes of the vehicle stability control include a normal mode and a pseudo mode. In the pseudo mode, the control unit operates the master pressure changing device such that the master pressure obtains a target value of the brake pressure of the target wheel, and changes the brake pressure of the target wheel in an interlocking manner with the master pressure. When the normal mode is unavailable, the control unit executes the vehicle stability control in the pseudo mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Mitsutaka TANIMOTO
  • Publication number: 20180043870
    Abstract: A lane departure prevention apparatus (17) has: a controlling device (172) configured to control a braking device (122) so that prevention yaw moment for preventing a vehicle from departing from a driving lane; and determining device (173) configured to determine whether or not slip ratio of a front wheel is larger than a first threshold value (KSfr) and whether or not slip ratio of a rear wheel is larger than a second threshold value (KSrr), the controlling device is configured to control the braking device so that the braking force applied from the braking device becomes smaller than the braking force for applying the prevention yaw moment, if it is determined that the slip ratio of the front wheel is larger than the first threshold value and/or the slip ratio of the rear wheel is larger than the second threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicants: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Akira NAGAE, Kumiko KONDO, Hironori ITO, Tomoyuki DOI, Ryo INOMATA, Masayuki IKEDA, Toshifumi SUGISAWA
  • Publication number: 20180043871
    Abstract: A communication system for a vehicle comprises a mechanism for sensing a motion status of a vehicle, a control device, plurality of data acquisition sensors, and one or more alerting device activation circuits. The communication system is customizable with the plurality of data acquisition sensors and one or more alerting device activation circuits based upon the needs of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventor: Fritz Braunberger
  • Publication number: 20180043872
    Abstract: The invention is directed to an inertial sensor attachment structure including: a floating bracket which is fixed to a vehicle body frame via a vibration absorbing member; an inertial sensor attached to a first attachment surface of the floating bracket; and an ABS unit attached to a second attachment surface of the floating bracket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yuji KITAGAWA
  • Publication number: 20180043873
    Abstract: A brake control apparatus includes: a master cylinder that outputs a brake fluid at a master pressure; a master pressure changing device that can change the master pressure irrespective of an operation of a brake pedal; a brake actuator; and a control unit that executes antilock control by reducing a brake pressure of a target wheel. Modes of the antilock control include a normal mode and a pseudo mode. In the pseudo mode, the control unit operates the master pressure changing device such that the master pressure obtains a target value of the brake pressure of the target wheel, and changes the brake pressure of the target wheel in an interlocking manner with the master pressure. When the normal mode is unavailable, the control unit executes the antilock control in the pseudo mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Mitsutaka TANIMOTO
  • Publication number: 20180043874
    Abstract: Systems and methods for emergency brake systems are provided herein. In this regard, a brake system may comprise a summing lever having a first end and a second end, a brake handle coupled to the first end of the summing lever, the brake handle rotatably coupled about a first axis, and a linear actuator having a plunger, the plunger being coupled to the second end of the summing lever. In various embodiments, an idler link may be coupled between the brake handle and the first end of the summing lever. The brake system may further comprise a brake cable coupled between the summing lever and a brake metering valve. The brake metering valve may be actuated in response to at least one of the brake handle being rotated about the first axis or the linear actuator being actuated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: Efrem E. Ayichew, Herbert S. Summers
  • Publication number: 20180043875
    Abstract: A Venturi device for producing vacuum from fluids in an engine system has a body defining a Venturi gap separating apart an outlet end of a converging motive section and an inlet end of a diverging discharge section by a lineal distance, and a suction port in fluid communication with the Venturi gap. The converging motive section and the diverging discharge section both gradually, continuously taper toward the Venturi gap, the converging motive section defines a circular-shaped motive inlet and an elliptical- or polygonal-shaped motive outlet, the diverging discharge section defines an elliptical- or polygonal-shaped discharge inlet, and an inner passageway of the converging motive section transitions as a hyperbolic function from the motive inlet to the elliptical- or polygonal-shaped motive outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: DAYCO IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Dave Fletcher, Brian Graichen, Keith Hampton, Matt Gilmer, Andrew Niedert
  • Publication number: 20180043876
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes a brake-by-wire sub-system, which includes a controller. The controller receives a request to enter a service mode. In response to the request to enter the service mode, the controller determines whether a vehicle is in a stable state based on comparing at least one system condition against at least one threshold. When the vehicle is in the stable state, the controller causes the brake-by-wire sub-system to enter into the service mode. Further, the controller monitors the at least one system condition against predefined parameters to determine that the vehicle is maintaining the stable state while in the service mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Alan J. Houtman, Paul A. Kilmurray, Brandon C. Pennala, Christopher C. Chappell
  • Publication number: 20180043877
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling a hybrid electric vehicle using a driving tendency are provided. The method includes determining a driving tendency level based on data to determine a driving tendency of a driver and determining a target engine torque using an engine torque map based on a vehicle speed and a required torque. Whether the driving tendency level corresponds to a predetermined level is determined as well as whether the required torque is equal to or greater than a torque that corresponds to an optimal operating point of an engine when the driving tendency level corresponds to the predetermined level. The target engine torque is then adjusted when the required torque is equal to or greater than the torque that corresponds to the optimal operating point of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Yongkak Choi, Hoon Han, Ilkwon Park
  • Publication number: 20180043878
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine and a controller configured to autostop and autostart the engine. Engine autostops are conditioned on a vehicle speed condition. In addition, engine autostops are conditioned on a battery current threshold that changes as the speed of the vehicle changes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Hafiz Shafeek KHAFAGY, Mark Douglas MALONE, Birgit Lisa SORGENFREI, Essam MOHAMED
  • Publication number: 20180043879
    Abstract: A non-contact power reception device includes a load such. as a power storage device identified as a subject of power feeding, and a secondary self-resonant coil receiving electric power to be supplied to said load from an external primary self-resonant coil. The secondary self-resonant coil is configured so as to be switchable between a first state and a second state. The first state is selected in a power reception. mode in which the secondary self-resonant coil is magnetically coupled with the primary self-resonant coil through resonance of a magnetic field. The second state is selected in a power non-reception mode in which the magnetic coupling of the secondary self-resonant coil with the primary self-resonant coil through resonance is weaker than in the first state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shinji ICHIKAWA
  • Publication number: 20180043880
    Abstract: A control device that includes an electronic control unit that causes a rotational speed of the rotating electric machine to change according to a predetermined first change pattern after the rotational speed of the rotating electric machine changes from a pre-shifting synchronous rotational speed in association with progress of the shifting operation until reaching a first synchronous range that is determined on the basis of a rotational speed of the internal combustion engine, the pre-shifting synchronous rotational speed being the rotational speed of the rotating electric machine in a shift speed established before the shifting operation is started.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shoichi ISHIDA, Kohei TSUDA, Keiichirou KUSABE
  • Publication number: 20180043881
    Abstract: There is provided a hybrid vehicle configured to control an engine, a first motor, a second motor and a third motor such as to be driven based on a required torque for driving. When the second motor is undrivable, the hybrid vehicle is configured to control the engine, the first motor and the third motor, such as to provide a higher state of charge of a battery than a state of charge of the battery provided when the second motor is drivable and such as to output a torque from the engine via a planetary gear to one pair of wheels accompanied with output of a torque from the first motor and output a torque from the third motor to the other pair of wheels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicants: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takahiko HIRASAWA, Shingo TAKINAI, Yutaka KOYAMA, Junmin CAO, Kengou YAMAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20180043882
    Abstract: A device for the operation of a hybrid vehicle. The hybrid vehicle has a first and a second drive assembly. The drive assemblies in each case drive the hybrid vehicle, alone or jointly in a hybrid type of operation. The first drive assembly is operated with fuel from a fuel tank and a sensor device monitors an amount of fuel in the fuel tank. The device activates a safety operation of the hybrid vehicle if the amount of fuel is smaller than a specifiable value. The device reduces the output of the second drive assembly during the safety operation when a type of operation is being used in which the torque of the second drive assembly is directed oppositely to the torque of the first drive assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventor: Peter Maigler
  • Publication number: 20180043883
    Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for controlling skidding vehicles. In general, a vehicle adjusts its configuration to mitigate the skidding. The vehicle can recognize dynamic skid situations and apply strategies to avoid an accident. In response to a signal that a vehicle is in a specified type of skid, the vehicle's configuration can be automatically changed to recover from the skid. Different configuration changes can be used to recover from different skid types, including: oversteer, understeer and counter steer. Changing vehicle configuration can include utilizing vehicle systems such as, for example, steering, braking, cruise control, lane keeping, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventor: Ivan Nava
  • Publication number: 20180043884
    Abstract: Provided is a method and device parking assistance for a vehicle capable of autonomous operation. The embodiment herein operates to receive a parking zone, which is based on a destination location and a user-defined parking parameter, and includes a plurality of parking locations. When on approach to the parking zone under an autonomous vehicle operation, the parking assistance determines whether the parking zone includes at least one parking location that is physically available for parking the vehicle. When the parking zone does not, the parking assistance prompts the vehicle to engage in a holding pattern for a predetermined period of time. While in the holding pattern under the autonomous operation, the parking assistance periodically determines whether the at least one parking location becomes available. When the predetermined period of time lapses, parking status of the vehicle is transmitted to the vehicle user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventor: Miles J. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20180043885
    Abstract: A vehicular braking/driving-force control apparatus includes an accelerator operation detection part configured to detect an accelerator operation; a driving-force limiting apparatus configured to carry out driving-force limiting control of limiting driving force of an own vehicle in such a manner that an upper-limit speed that is set will not be exceeded; an automatic braking control apparatus configured to carry out automatic braking control of automatically generating braking force in the own vehicle based on a relative distance or a relative speed between an obstacle in front of the own vehicle and the own vehicle, and have a cancellation function of inhibiting a start of the automatic braking control based on the accelerator operation; and a control part configured to inhibit the cancellation function from being executed when the driving-force limiting apparatus is in an activated state where the driving-force limiting apparatus is allowed to carry out the driving-force limiting control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroshi HARADA, Naoki TAKI, Masaaki UECHI, Kumiko KONDO, Hideaki HAYASHI, Akio KIMURA, Atsutoshi SAKAGUCHI, Toshifumi KAWASAKI, Tomohiko FUTATSUGI
  • Publication number: 20180043886
    Abstract: A control system which for use in a host motor vehicle is configured and intended for recognizing motor vehicles traveling ahead, to the side, and/or behind and preferably stationary objects situated ahead, based on surroundings data obtained from at least one surroundings sensor associated with the host motor vehicle. The at least one surroundings sensor is configured for providing an electronic controller of the control system with surroundings data that represent an area in front of, next to, or behind the host motor vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Martin Keller, Christian Goette, Torsten Bertram, Andreas Homann, Christian Wissing, Karl-Heinz Glander, Carsten Hass, Till Nattermann, Markus Buss
  • Publication number: 20180043887
    Abstract: A system and method to avoid collisions on highways, and to minimize the fatalities, injury, and damage when a collision is unavoidable. The system includes sensor means to detect other vehicles, and computing means to evaluate when a collision is imminent and to determine whether the collision is avoidable. If the collision is avoidable by a sequence of controlled accelerations and decelerations and steering, the system implements that sequence of actions automatically. If the collision is unavoidable, a different sequence is implemented to minimize the overall harm of the unavoidable collision. The system further includes indirect mitigation steps such as flashing the brake lights automatically. An optional post-collision strategy is implemented to prevent secondary collisions, particularly if the driver is incapacitated. Adjustment means enable the driver to set the type and timing of automatic interventions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: David E. Newman, R. Kemp Massengill
  • Publication number: 20180043888
    Abstract: A collision avoidance system includes a plurality of cameras disposed at a vehicle, and an electronic control unit that includes an image processor operable to process image data captured by the cameras. A plurality of other sensors sense at least one of rearward and sideward of the equipped vehicle and capture sensor data. The collision avoidance system may determine imminence of collision with the equipped vehicle by another vehicle present exterior the equipped vehicle responsive at least in part to (a) image processing by the image processor of image data captured by a forward-viewing camera, a rearward-viewing camera, a driver side-viewing camera and/or a passenger side-viewing camera, and (b) radar data sensed by the plurality of other sensors, lidar data sensed by at least one lidar sensor of said plurality of other sensors and/or information transmitted to or from the equipped vehicle via a car2car (v2v) communication system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventor: Johannes Wolf
  • Publication number: 20180043889
    Abstract: A method includes steps of detecting an object in an environment of a motor vehicle; in a first phase, tracking the object with respect to the motor vehicle with the aid of a first movement model of the motor vehicle; detecting a collision of the motor vehicle with an obstacle; and in a second phase, tracking the object with respect to the motor vehicle with the aid of a second movement model of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Sybille Eisele, Ulf Wilhelm
  • Publication number: 20180043890
    Abstract: A control system that is suitable for use in a host motor vehicle (10) Is configured and intended for detecting (S100) another motor vehicle (20), using the road, located in front of the host motor vehicle (10) by means of the at least one surroundings sensor, determining (S106) a lateral movement of the other motor vehicle (20) relative to a lane (12, 16) in which the other motor vehicle (20) or the host motor vehicle (10) is present, and computing (S108) a movement-based likelihood of a lane change by the other motor vehicle (20), based on the determined lateral movement of the other motor vehicle (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Martin Keller, Christian Goette, Torsten Bertram, Andreas Homann, Christian Wissing, Karl-Heinz Glander, Carsten Hass, Till Nattermann, Markus Buss
  • Publication number: 20180043891
    Abstract: Systems and methods for adaptive cruise control based on user defined parameters are disclosed. An example disclosed vehicle includes a GPS receiver configured to provide a location of the vehicle, an adaptive cruise control; and a cruise control adjuster. In the example cruise control adjuster is configured to generate an action when a cruise control event is defined for the location. In the disclosed example the cruise control event is based on past changes to the adaptive cruise control at the location. The example cruise control adjuster is also configured to apply the action to the adaptive cruise control to change how the adaptive cruise control controls the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas Edward Pilutti, Shane Elwart, Johannes Geir Kristinsson, David Hamilton
  • Publication number: 20180043892
    Abstract: A vehicle control device turns off a clutch to put a vehicle into an inertia operation state in response to a predetermined executing condition being met, and turns on the clutch to terminate the inertia operation state in response to a predetermined terminating condition being met during the inertia operation. The vehicle control device includes a deceleration degree calculating device, a determination device, and an operation control device. The deceleration degree calculating device calculates an actual deceleration degree. The determination device determines whether the actual deceleration degree is greater than a threshold value defined on the basis of a deceleration degree of the vehicle in an accelerator-off and clutch-on state. The operation control device terminates or maintains the inertia operation depending on a condition of the actual deceleration degree.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shigeru MAEDA, Akira KATO
  • Publication number: 20180043893
    Abstract: A variety of methods and arrangements are described for controlling transitions between firing fractions during skip fire or dynamic firing level modulation operation of an engine. In general, actuator first transition strategies are described in which an actuator position (e.g., cam phase, TCC slip, etc.) is changed to, or close to a target position before a corresponding firing fraction change is implemented. When the actuator change associated with a desired firing fraction change is relatively large, the firing fraction change is divided into a series of two or more firing fraction change steps. A number of intermediate target selection schemes are described as well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Louis J. SERRANO, Steven E. CARLSON
  • Publication number: 20180043894
    Abstract: One or more powertrains can include a motor-generator disposed therein that is electrically coupled to an energy storage device through an inverter gate. A regulation strategy can monitor operation of the powertrain to regulate the inverter gate to selectively discharge energy from the energy storage device to the motor-generator to assist the powertrain or to charge energy from the motor-generator to the energy storage device for future use. In an aspect, the regulation strategy may maintain a consistent speed of an internal combustion engine associated with the powertrain. In another aspect, the regulation strategy may regulate simultaneous operation of first and second powertrains disposed a parallel relation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Peter J. Miller, Omar Abdel-Baqi
  • Publication number: 20180043895
    Abstract: A soft-park control system to control vehicle movement during parking of a vehicle includes a transmission and one or more brake assemblies. The transmission includes a parking pawl that mechanically engages a notch in a parking gear. The brake assembly includes an electro-mechanical actuator configured to apply a variable brake force to a wheel coupled to a brake assembly based on an existing brake pressure. The soft-park control system further includes an electronic control unit having a soft-park hardware controller in electrical communication with the electro-mechanical actuator. The electronic brake control unit outputs a brake pressure signal that adjusts the existing brake pressure so as to control a rate at which the parking pawl engages the notch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Constandi J. Shami, Arthur D. Drennen
  • Publication number: 20180043896
    Abstract: A regenerative braking control apparatus includes an interface unit configured to receive driving information of a vehicle; an object detection device configured to generate object information based on detecting an object outside the vehicle; and at least one processor. The at least one processor is configured to: determine whether to perform regenerative braking for the vehicle, based on the driving information and the object information; and provide at least one signal corresponding to a result of determining whether to perform the regenerative braking for the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Jinkyo LEE, Kwangjin JANG, Jonghwa YOON
  • Publication number: 20180043897
    Abstract: An autonomous driving system acquires information concerning an empty space situation in an adjacent lane, and information concerning an entry frequency with which other vehicles enter into an own lane from the adjacent lane, when an own vehicle travels on a road having a plurality of lanes. The autonomous driving system determines whether or not to select the adjacent lane as an own vehicle travel lane in accordance with the empty space situation in the adjacent lane and the entry frequency. However, when the entry frequency is a threshold value or more, determination not to select the adjacent lane as the own vehicle travel lane is kept irrespective of the empty space situation in the adjacent lane. The autonomous driving system performs lane change to the adjacent lane autonomously when the adjacent lane is selected as the own vehicle travel lane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Ryuta Hashimoto, Yoshinori Watanabe, Kenichiro Aoki, Tomoyuki Kuriyama
  • Publication number: 20180043898
    Abstract: A method for controlling gear shifting of a working machine includes determining a representation of a first total tractive force of the working machine for the entire set of drive units; initiating a procedure for redistributing the tractive force while maintaining the first total tractive force, including decreasing, at least partly towards a level suitable for shifting gear, the torque and tractive force of at least the first drive unit down, and increasing, in a compensational manner, the torque and tractive force of at least one of the other drive units not subject to gear shifting; monitoring, during the redistribution procedure, a representation of a second total tractive force of the working machine for the other drive units not subject to gear shifting, and, provided that the second total tractive force exceeds a threshold limit that forms a function of the first total tractive force: decreasing the torque and tractive force of at least the first drive unit down to the level suitable for shifting gea
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: VOLVO CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT AB
    Inventors: Thomas ANDERSSON, Mats Ã…KERBLOM
  • Publication number: 20180043899
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a drive shaft, a transmission, a motor shaft, and an engine shaft. The drive shaft includes a plurality of drive gears and is configured to transmit power to a wheel of a vehicle. The transmission includes a first transmission shaft including a first transmission input gear and a first plurality of output gears and a second transmission shaft including a second transmission input gear and a second plurality of output gears. The first transmission shaft includes a first shifting element configured to selectively engage an output gear from the first plurality of output gears to adjust a ratio between a shaft rotation speed of the first transmission shaft and a shaft rotation speed of the drive shaft. The second transmission shaft includes a second shifting element configured to selectively engage an output gear from the second plurality of output gears to adjust a ratio between a shaft rotation speed of the second transmission shaft and a shaft rotation speed of the drive shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Victor Prost, Sahil Rajesh SHAH, Zackary Ryan EUBANKS, Daria BONDARCHUK, Paige L. REITER, Yu HUA, Daniel Scott DORSCH, Amos G. WINTER
  • Publication number: 20180043900
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for determining a road surface friction coefficient and controlling a feature of the vehicle based thereon. In one embodiment, a method includes: receiving signals from an electronic power steering system and an inertial measurement unit; estimating parameters associated with an electronic power steering system model using an iterative optimization method; calculating an electronic power steering system variable using the electronic power steering system model, the estimated parameters and one or more of the received signals; determining whether the calculated electronic power steering system variable satisfies a fitness criterion; and when the calculated electronic power steering system variable does satisfy the fitness criterion, determining a road surface friction coefficient based on at least one of the estimated parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: YADOLLAH SABRI, SIMON E. ZIMMERMAN, YINGMEI SI, STEVEN T. SCHWEITZER, QINGRONG ZHAO, QI ZHANG, NIKOLAI K. MOSHCHUK
  • Publication number: 20180043901
    Abstract: The disclosure includes implementations for providing a personalized medical emergency autopilot system based on data from a portable medical device. A method may include receiving, by a communication unit of a vehicle, a wireless message from a wireless network. The wireless message includes sensor data describing one or more current physiological signals of a driver of the vehicle that are recorded by a portable medical device worn by the driver. The method may include analyzing the one or more current physiological signals of the driver to identify a medical emergency for the driver. The method may include overriding, by a personalized medical emergency autopilot system, one or more vehicle control inputs provided by the driver subsequent to identifying the medical emergency so that the driver cannot control the operation of the vehicle during the medical emergency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: BaekGyu Kim, Chung-Wei Lin, Shinichi Shiraishi
  • Publication number: 20180043902
    Abstract: The present application discloses a method and apparatus for controlling an unmanned vehicle. The method may comprise: collecting image information and vital sign information of a person in an unmanned vehicle, and origin information and destination information of the unmanned vehicle; generating action characteristic information of the person based on the image information; generating emotional characteristic information and physical state information of the person based on the action characteristic information and the vital sign information; determining a route and an operation mode of the unmanned vehicle based on the emotional characteristic information, the physical state information, the origin information and the destination information; and controlling the unmanned vehicle based on the determined route and operation mode. The implementation achieves automatic control of an unmanned vehicle based on the emotion and physical state of a person in the unmanned vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventor: Zhao ZHANG
  • Publication number: 20180043903
    Abstract: A system and method of communicating user-controlled vehicle settings with a remote location includes: detecting a change to one or more vehicle preference settings made by a vehicle user at a vehicle; wirelessly transmitting the vehicle preference setting(s) from the vehicle to a remote location; altering one or more default services provided to the vehicle user based on the change to the vehicle preference setting(s) made by the vehicle user; and providing the altered default service(s) to the vehicle user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Eric T. HOSEY, Russell A. PATENAUDE, Ryan M. EDWARDS
  • Publication number: 20180043904
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate switching between autonomous and manual driving modes. In order to do so, the vehicle's computer may conduct a series of environmental, system, and driver checks to identify certain conditions. The computer may correct some of these conditions and also provide a driver with a checklist of tasks for completion. Once the tasks have been completed and the conditions are changed, the computer may allow the driver to switch from the manual to the autonomous driving mode. The computer may also make a determination, under certain conditions, that it would be detrimental to the driver's safety or comfort to make a switch from the autonomous driving mode to the manual driving mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Brian Douglas Cullinane, Philip Nemec, Manuel Christian Clement, Robertus Christianus Elisabeth Mariet, Lilli Ing-Marie Jonsson
  • Publication number: 20180043905
    Abstract: A parking assistance apparatus includes a sensor unit configured to sense vehicle surroundings; an interface unit configured to receive at least one of brake operation input information, accelerator operation input information, and steering operation input information; a display unit configured to display a graphic image for an automatic parking function; and a processor configured to set a target parking space based on information about the vehicle surroundings sensed by the sensor unit; design a parking path for directing a vehicle to the set target parking space; and perform the automatic parking function by performing control such that the vehicle follows the parking path, wherein, when it is detected that there is an operation input of the user through the interface unit, the processor performs the automatic parking function by reflecting the operation input of the user or releases the automatic parking function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Cheolmun KIM, Sangmin PARK, Nami OH
  • Publication number: 20180043906
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus that is configured to receive a first user detection signal comprising information usable for determining a user situation awareness level. The apparatus also includes a processing module configured to determine a currently necessary situation awareness level by selecting one predefined situation awareness level from a plurality of predefined situation awareness levels based on driving information. The processing module is configured to determine a current user situation awareness level based on the information usable for determining the user situation awareness level. The processing module is configured to generate a control signal to control a user situation awareness modification module based on the currently necessary situation awareness level and the current user situation awareness level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Guangbin HUANG, Olga SOURINA, Yan YANG, Alexander KOENIG, Josef SCHUMANN, Ralf DECKE, Cornelia DENK, Philipp KERSCHBAUM
  • Publication number: 20180043907
    Abstract: A railcar includes a floor structure including: an underframe including a pair of side sills and a plurality of cross beams arranged between the pair of side sills; a plurality of floor panel receivers located above the cross beams, arranged with gaps in a car width direction, extending along the cross beams, and fixed to the cross beams; one or more seat receivers extending through the gaps in a car longitudinal direction and fixed to the cross beams; and floor panels covering substantially entire surfaces of upper portions of the floor panel receivers and an upper portion(s) of the one or more seat receivers from above and supported by the cross beams through the floor panel receivers and the one or more seat receivers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshiyuki HIRASHIMA, Naotake HONDA, Hiroshi ENOMOTO
  • Publication number: 20180043908
    Abstract: An attaching metal fitting is used to attach an underfloor device to an underframe of a railcar including a beam member and includes: a first member located at a lower side of a projecting portion projecting in a horizontal direction at a lower end portion of the beam member and formed integrally with or separately from the beam member; and a second member located at an upper side of the projecting portion, wherein: the first member includes a first supporting portion overlapping the projecting portion from below to be fixed to the projecting portion; the second member includes a second supporting portion overlapping the projecting portion from above to be fixed to the projecting portion; and an upper surface of the second supporting portion supports the underfloor device with the projecting portion sandwiched between the first supporting portion and the second supporting portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshiyuki HIRASHIMA, Shirou HONMA, Mitsuru YOKOYAMA, Shinichiro HATA
  • Publication number: 20180043909
    Abstract: A connecting member for connecting two longitudinal members of a bogie frame of a rail vehicle includes at least one fastening point for receiving add-on components, at least a first member element with a first member portion and a second member element with a second member portion, wherein the first and second member elements are connected to one another in a force-fitting manner by at least two connecting devices such that the member portions overlap one another at least in certain portions in order to damp vibrations that occur and to thus prevent oscillation of the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Jochen BRANDSTETTER, Christian KUETER, Gerald SCHOBEGGER, Martin TEICHMANN
  • Publication number: 20180043910
    Abstract: A longitudinal support and a transverse support for a chassis frame of a rail vehicle, wherein the longitudinal support includes a first box-shaped connection portion having a sectionally straight first circumferential edge for connection to the transverse support, where the transverse support has a second box-shaped connection portion having a sectionally straight second circumferential edge for connection to the longitudinal support within a transverse direction of the chassis frame, respectively on the end side, and where the first and second circumferential edges are each configured as four first and second connection edges to achieve a reduction of the weight of the longitudinal support and of the transverse support, and to lower the twisting rigidity of the chassis frame, where the connection edges are separated from each other by first and second recesses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Markus HUBMANN, Radovan SEIFRIED
  • Publication number: 20180043911
    Abstract: The device contains an energy absorbing element in a form of at least two parallel machinable rods placed at a distance from one another, and at least one thrust element used to transmit a tractive force between the machining unit and the rods. The device also features a tool mounting plate, forming a part of the machining unit, seated on the rods via guiding holes. A mounting plate is fastened on the rods and placed at a distance from the tool mounting plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Jan Kukulski, Leszek Wasilewski
  • Publication number: 20180043912
    Abstract: A vehicle control system includes a controller that determines a communication loss between a first vehicle and a second vehicle and/or a monitoring device in a vehicle system. The controller determines an operational restriction on movement of the vehicle system based on the communication loss that is determined, and obtains a transitional plan that designates operational settings of the vehicle system at different locations along a route being traveled by the vehicle system, different distances along the route, and/or different times. The controller also automatically changes the movement of the vehicle system according to the operational settings designated by the transitional plan to reduce the movement of the vehicle system to or below the operational restriction determined by the controller responsive to the communication loss being detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Scott William Dulmage, Robert Thomas Oliveira, Jared Klineman Cooper
  • Publication number: 20180043913
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to work block encroachment warning systems for providing protection for rail workers working in a mobile or fixed work block. For example, a vehicle (V)-aware unit installed on a moving rail vehicle and a work block limit encroachment unit mounted on a railroad may wirelessly communicate with each other to determine a distance between them. When a vehicle is moving toward an occupied work block, the distance may be used to identify potential hazards.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Peter Michael Bartek, Michael Stephen Davis