Patents Issued in March 1, 2018
  • Publication number: 20180056948
    Abstract: A stabilizing chock assembly for a caster wheel or the like, including: a first stabilizing member or piece and a second stabilizing member or piece; and a clamping mechanism coupling the first stabilizing member to the second stabilizing member, the clamping mechanism operable for selectively biasing the first stabilizing member and the second stabilizing member together about a wheel; wherein the first stabilizing member and the second stabilizing member collectively define a conformal recess that is configured to selectively receive and retain a lower portion of the wheel. Optionally, the first stabilizing member and the second stabilizing member each define an arcuate ramp structure that forms a portion of the conformal recess. Optionally, the chock assembly also includes a friction surface disposed on a bottom surface of each of the first stabilizing member and the second stabilizing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventor: Michael Wayne Joseph LOVELADY
  • Publication number: 20180056949
    Abstract: A brake pedal emulator extends and connects between a support structure and a brake pedal pivotally engaged to the support structure at an axis. The brake pedal emulator includes a rotational damping device operatively connected to the brake pedal for driven rotation as the brake pedal moves about the axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Brandon C. Pennala, Christopher A. Hammond
  • Publication number: 20180056950
    Abstract: A motor vehicle electric park brake system includes a hand brake lever mechanism in electronic communication with a park brake. The hand brake lever mechanism includes a brake lever pivotally supported to a mounting bracket. A biasing member exerts a torque on the brake lever as the brake lever rotates from a disengaged position to an engaged position to simulate a mechanical connection between the brake lever mechanism and the park brake. An adjustment mechanism is displaced to adjust the biasing member to change the torque on the brake lever.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Brian Edward Steakley, Nolan Robert Maryanski
  • Publication number: 20180056951
    Abstract: A method for providing a brake force in a vehicle with a hydraulic vehicle brake and an electromechanical brake device includes determining a position of a brake piston at a brake contact point on the basis of a state variable of an electric brake motor when the electromechanical brake device is released. The method further includes displacing the brake piston in a positioning operation until reaching a braking start point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Frank Baehrle-Miller, Edith Mannherz, Andreas Englert, Tobias Putzer
  • Publication number: 20180056952
    Abstract: A hydraulic apparatus and a control method for a hydraulic apparatus that can improve the accuracy with which the pressure of a brake fluid is controlled while suppressing calculation loads on a control system are provided. When performing an n-th (n?2) opening and closing operation of a regulating valve in a preset period, the control system determines the holding time of an opening and closing state in the n-th opening and closing operation of the regulating valve based on the pressure value of a wheel cylinder in the n-th opening and closing operation of the regulating valve and the target pressure value of the wheel cylinder in an m-th (m<n) opening and closing operation in the period and performs the n-th opening and closing operation of the regulating valve based on the holding time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Shunsaku Ono, Yuki Oshida
  • Publication number: 20180056953
    Abstract: A brake control device for a vehicle, includes: a master cylinder outputting a brake fluid of a master pressure; a master pressure changing device for changing the master pressure; a brake actuator for controlling a brake pressure of the brake fluid supplied from the master cylinder to a wheel cylinder; and a control device performing an automatic brake control including first and second modes. In the first mode, the control device operates the brake actuator to make a target value of the brake pressure. In the second mode, the control device operates the master pressure changing device such that the master pressure becomes the target value of the brake pressure to change the brake pressure of the target wheel in conjunction with the master pressure. The control device selects one of the first and second modes depending on a type of the automatic brake control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hidehisa KATO
  • Publication number: 20180056954
    Abstract: A solenoid valve comprises a valve closing body, which can open or close a valve passage formed in a valve seat body which is pressed into a valve housing, and comprising a magnet armature acted upon by a restoring spring, arranged in a through-bore of the valve housing. In addition to a press-fit segment, the valve seat body has a clearance-fit segment along the outer jacket of the valve seat body. The clearance-fit segment has a reduced outside diameter in relation to the press-fit segment. The valve housing also has a tube segment, which deflects radially inward and which has a constant inside diameter that is reduced relative to the outside diameter of the press-fit segment. The tube segment thus deflecting into the clearance-fit segment of the valve seat body because of the elasticity of the tube segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Holger Kollmann, Sigismund Jones, Christian Schulz, Christian Courth, André Schröder
  • Publication number: 20180056955
    Abstract: A method for producing a hydraulic block of a slip-controlled hydraulic non-muscular-energy vehicle brake system. For the milling operation, the hydraulic block is clamped in two setups and a pump bore, into which the hydraulic block is clamped in the second setup, is produced in the hydraulic block in the first setup, thereby making it possible to machine five sides of the hydraulic block in the second setup free of clamping arrangement. Also described is a related hydraulic block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Andreas Weh, Juergen Tandler, Matthias Mayr, Thomas Geisenberger, Wolfgang Frodl
  • Publication number: 20180056956
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a vehicle control apparatus and a control method thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventor: Seok-Jong KIM
  • Publication number: 20180056957
    Abstract: A braking device for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, including an actuatable brake pedal, a piston of a master brake cylinder mechanically coupled to the brake pedal, the piston being supported in the master brake cylinder so as to be axially displaceable in an actuation direction and in a release direction, and including at least one radial seal that acts between the piston and the master brake cylinder. At least one elastically deformable and/or displaceable damping element opposes the displacement of the piston in the release direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Dirk Foerch, Matthias Kistner, Simon Hansmann
  • Publication number: 20180056958
    Abstract: In order to provide a hydraulic actuating system for actuating a parking lock of a motor vehicle, which hydraulic actuating system manages with as few components as possible which are simple, robust, relatively insusceptible to faults and inexpensive, with a simultaneously low installation space requirement, and the hydraulic layout of which hydraulic actuating system makes a simple actuation and a simple movement possible for locking and unlocking the parking lock, it is provided that a pumping device which can operate bidirectionally with a locking delivery direction and with a releasing delivery direction is used as pumping device, and check valves are arranged in the hydraulic circuit in such a way that, by way of actuation of the pumping device in the locking delivery direction, the parking lock moves into the locked position and, upon actuation of the pumping device in the releasing delivery direction, the parking lock moves into the released position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Reinhard Möhlmann, Sascha Miebach
  • Publication number: 20180056959
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a plurality of brake assemblies and a plurality of electronic brake system (EBS) controllers. The brake assemblies each include an electro-mechanical actuator configured to adjust a torque force applied to a wheel of the vehicle. The EBS controllers are located remotely from one another. Each EBS controller has integrated therein an electronic actuator driver unit that includes an electronic power circuit configured to drive at least one of the electro-mechanical actuators. A first EBS controller is configured to drive a first group of electro-mechanical actuators, and a second EBS controller is configured to drive a second group of electro-mechanical actuators that exclude the electro-mechanical actuators of the first group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Brandon C. Pennala, Christopher C. Chappell, Paul A. Kilmurray, Patrick J. Monsere, Eric E. Krueger, Alan J. Houtman, Kevin S. Kidston, Michael C. Roberts, Steven J. Weber
  • Publication number: 20180056960
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a plurality of brake assemblies and a plurality of electrical power circuits. Each brake assembly includes an electro-mechanical actuator configured to adjust a torque force applied to a wheel of the vehicle. The electrical power circuits are located remotely from one another. Each power circuit is configured to drive a respective actuator. The vehicle further includes a first electronic brake system (EBS) controller and a second EBS controller. The first EBS controller is configured to output a first data command signal to control a first group of power circuits among the plurality of power circuits. The second EBS controller is configured to output a second data command signal to control a second group of power circuits among the plurality of power circuits. The second group excludes the power circuits from the first group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Eric E. Krueger, Brandon C. Pennala, Christopher C. Chappell, Alan J. Houtman, Kevin S. Kidston, Patrick J. Monsere, Michael C. Roberts, Paul A. Kilmurray, Steven J. Weber
  • Publication number: 20180056961
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a plurality of electronic brake system (EBS) controllers configured to detect at least one braking event, and a plurality of brake assemblies. Each brake assembly is coupled to a respective wheel of the vehicle and includes an enhanced smart actuator. The enhanced smart actuator further includes an electro-mechanical actuator, and at least one power circuit. The electro-mechanical actuator is configured to adjust a torque force applied to the respective wheel. The at least one electronic power circuit is configured to output a high-frequency switched high-power current drive signal that drives the electro-mechanical actuator. The EBS controllers control a first group of enhanced smart actuators independently from a second group of enhanced smart actuators that exclude the enhanced smart actuators of the first group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Eric E. Krueger, Brandon C. Pennala, Christopher C. Chappell, Alan J. Houtman, Kevin S. Kidston, Patrick J. Monsere, Michael C. Roberts, Paul A. Kilmurray, Steven J. Weber
  • Publication number: 20180056962
    Abstract: A vehicle with a fault tolerant electronic brake-by-wire (BBW) system includes a plurality of brake assemblies that control braking of a respective wheel of the vehicle. The brake assemblies include a first brake assembly and a second brake assembly. The first brake assembly is integrated with at least one enhanced brake actuator assembly including a first electronic actuator driver circuit in signal communication with a first electro-mechanical actuator. The first brake assembly is configured to adjust a brake force applied to a first wheel of the vehicle. The second brake assembly is integrated with at least one enhanced smart brake actuator assembly including a first actuator controller in signal communication with a second electronic actuator driver circuit. The second electronic actuator driver circuit is in signal communication with a second electro-mechanical actuator that is configured to adjust a brake force applied to a second wheel of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Paul A. Kilmurray, Eric E. Krueger, Brandon C. Pennala, Christopher C. Chappell, Alan J. Houtman, Kevin S. Kidston, Patrick J. Monsere, Michael C. Roberts, Steven J. Weber
  • Publication number: 20180056963
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes a plurality of controllers and a driver. Each controller is configured to receive one or more braking signals. Each controller is also configured to generate one or more braking commands in correspondence to the one or more braking signals. The driver is configured to perform a voting operation on the one or more braking commands to determine whether to generate a driving signal to at least one brake.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Eric E. Krueger, Alan J. Houtman, Steven J. Weber
  • Publication number: 20180056964
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a plurality of brake assemblies, and a brake request input device. Each brake assembly is coupled to a respective wheel of the vehicle and is configured to control braking of the respective wheel. The brake request input device is configured to output an electronic brake request signal indicating a request to brake at least one of the wheels. Each brake assembly has integrated therein an enhanced smart actuator unit that includes an electronic actuator controller configured to control a braking torque applied to the respective wheel in response to receiving the brake request signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Brandon C. Pennala, Christopher C. Chappell, Alan J. Houtman, Paul A. Kilmurray, Eric E. Krueger, Kevin S. Kidston, Michael C. Roberts, Steven J. Weber, Patrick J. Monsere
  • Publication number: 20180056965
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a plurality of brake assemblies configured to control braking of a respective wheel of the vehicle. The brake assemblies includes a first brake assembly integrated with a smart actuator unit including a first actuator controller and a first electro-mechanical actuator that is configured to adjust a brake force applied to a first wheel coupled to the first brake assembly. A second brake assembly excludes an actuator controller and has installed therein a second electro-mechanical actuator that is configured to adjust a brake force applied to a second wheel coupled to the second brake assembly. At least one electronic actuator driver unit is remotely located from the first and second brake assemblies, and is configured to output a high-power signal that drives the first and second electro-mechanical actuators in response to receiving a digital command signal from the first actuator controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Alan J. Houtman, Christopher C. Chappell, Kevin S. Kidston, Paul A. Kilmurray, Eric E. Krueger, Patrick J. Monsere, Brandon C. Pennala, Michael C. Roberts, Steven J. Weber
  • Publication number: 20180056966
    Abstract: A brake hydraulic pressure controller includes a base body that is formed with a channel for a hydraulic fluid therein. A first banjo with a first end, to which a brake pipe is connected, is fixed to a first port of the channel by a banjo bolt. A second end of the first banjo, to which the brake pipe is not connected, is inserted in a bottomed hole that is perforated in specified depth on an outer surface of the base body and into which the hydraulic fluid does not flow in an entire region of the specified depth, or extends to the outside of a side of the base body and is locked to an edge on the side of the base body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Hiroaki Atsushi, Kosaku Sagayama, Makoto Sasaki
  • Publication number: 20180056967
    Abstract: A normally closed port valve seals a hydraulic hose connection port of a hydraulic bicycle component. Connection of an end of a hydraulic hose assembly to the port opens the valve, placing the assembly's hydraulic fluid chamber in fluid communication with the interior of the hose assembly. A hydraulic cylinder of the assembly is in fluid communication with the chamber. A spring may be used to bias the valve to a closed condition and simultaneously to bias a brake actuating piston to a non-actuated position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: ADAM BRADLEY, PAUL GALLAGHER
  • Publication number: 20180056968
    Abstract: A brake device may include: a master cylinder including a master piston moved in connection with a pedal, and a master cylinder body having the master piston movably inserted therein and containing fluid of which hydraulic pressure is varied when the master piston is moved; a pedal force generation part housed in the master cylinder body, and restricting a motion of the master piston while interfering with the master piston depending on the motion of the master piston; a braking actuator configured to generate hydraulic pressure; an actuator connection part connecting the braking actuator to a brake mounted on a wheel; and a master connection part connecting the master cylinder to the actuator connection part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jong Sung KIM
  • Publication number: 20180056969
    Abstract: A control device for controlling a vehicle drive system in which a first engagement device, a rotating electric machine, and a second engagement device are provided in a power transfer path connecting an internal combustion engine to wheels and are arranged sequentially from an internal combustion engine side, the control device including an electronic control unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kohei TSUDA, Takashi YOSHIDA
  • Publication number: 20180056970
    Abstract: An apparatus for performing driving aid control to cause a travel trajectory of a mobile object to follow a setpoint trajectory by transmitting a control command value to a yaw moment controller. In the apparatus, a setpoint trajectory setter sets the setpoint trajectory of the mobile object. A first control command value calculator calculates a first control command value by performing target-position following control to cause a position of the mobile object to follow a future target position of the mobile object set on the setpoint trajectory. A second control command value calculator calculates a second control command value by performing setpoint-trajectory following control based on a current lateral error that is a lateral error between a current position of the mobile object and the setpoint trajectory. A third control command value calculator calculates the control command value based on the first control command value and the second control command value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Hirotaka TOKORO, Hiroshi INOU
  • Publication number: 20180056971
    Abstract: A control device is configured to, in a case that an internal combustion engine is made to start up before travel start of a vehicle in a parked state, when an auxiliary battery has at least a predetermined value of battery voltage, make the internal combustion engine start up after executing fuel heating processing for heating fuel by glow plugs to which electric power is transmitted, or when the battery voltage of the auxiliary battery is less than the predetermined value, execute the fuel heating processing after executing charge processing for charging the auxiliary battery using a main battery and then start up the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshio INOUE, Makoto YAMAZAKI, Tomoaki HONDA, Hidekazu NAWATA
  • Publication number: 20180056972
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling cold starting of a mild hybrid vehicle, are disclosed. The method includes: measuring, by a sensor, a cooling water temperature of the vehicle when a request is received to start an engine; operating, by a controller, a starter to drive an engine when the cooling water temperature is less than a preset reference temperature, and stopping the operation of the starter and operating an MHSG to drive the engine when RPM of the engine driven by the starter exceeds a preset reference value. In particular, stepwise starting according to the cold starting of the vehicle is performed. The apparatus and the method are advantageous in that a starter and alternator are simultaneously controlled under a cold starting condition to provide startability and reduce capacity of a starter, reducing manufacturing costs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Hyun KIM, Ki-Hong KANG
  • Publication number: 20180056973
    Abstract: A vehicle includes, an engine, an electric machine having an associated battery, and a controller. The controller is configured to disable the engine and operate the electric machine to propel the vehicle when a proximity of the vehicle to a destination is less than a drive range of the battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Bryan Whitney BELT, Shunsuke OKUBO, Craig Edward ESLER, Ryan J. SKAFF
  • Publication number: 20180056974
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle control system and method include a controller programmed to, while a transmission is in PARK or NEUTRAL, start an engine, close a disconnect clutch selectively coupling the engine to an electric machine, and control the electric machine to charge a traction battery in response to the accelerator pedal position exceeding an idle position and being less than a threshold. The controller controls transmission impeller speed in response to accelerator pedal position exceeding the threshold to allow revving the engine in response to accelerator pedal. A method for controlling a hybrid vehicle includes starting an engine, closing a clutch between the engine and an electric machine, and controlling the engine and the electric machine to either: i) charge a traction battery or ii) rev the engine based on accelerator pedal position relative to a threshold above an idle position while the transmission is in PARK or NEUTRAL.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Jason MEYER, Rajit JOHRI, Mark Steven YAMAZAKI, Mathew Alan BOESCH, Chen ZHANG
  • Publication number: 20180056975
    Abstract: A control method for a vehicle may include shifting request check step of checking whether there is request for shifting in vehicle on the basis of acceleration pedal depression extent and vehicle speed by shifting control device; target engine speed determination step of determining engine target speed on basis of the vehicle speed and gear ratio of pseudo target gear stage by target engine speed determiner when request for shifting is found to have been received as the result of the shifting request check step; and engine speed control step of controlling the engine speed to follow the target engine speed by determining the engine speed control torque on the basis of the difference between the target engine speed and the current engine speed and by applying the determined engine speed control torque to the first motor generator, after the engine target speed determination step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Jin Kuk CHO
  • Publication number: 20180056976
    Abstract: A method for controlling a hybrid vehicle includes the steps of: (a) determining whether or not a subject vehicle is running or stopped, when the subject vehicle is in an electric vehicle (EV) mode and is driven by power of a driving motor, and (b) adjusting a target state of charge (SOC) of a battery depending on whether or not the subject vehicle is running or stopped, wherein, when it is determined that the subject vehicle is running in step (a), the target SOC is adjusted to a predetermined running SOC in step (b), and when it is determined that the subject vehicle is stopped in step (a), the target SOC is adjusted to a predetermined stop SOC that is less than the running SOC in step (b).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventor: Sang Joon KIM
  • Publication number: 20180056977
    Abstract: A display method is provided to effectively calculate energy generated from a motor and to notify a driver of information regarding the calculated energy during regenerative braking in a vehicle including the motor for generating driving force. The method includes monitoring battery voltage and current for an electric motor and determining whether regenerative braking is performed using the monitoring result. Additionally, the method includes accumulatively calculating a total amount of energy collected via regenerative braking during the regenerative braking and converting the calculated total amount of energy into an increased amount of distance to empty (DTE). The increased amount of the converted DTE is then output on a display for a driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventor: Jin Hyung Lee
  • Publication number: 20180056978
    Abstract: A vehicle control system to operate a vehicle autonomously with improved energy efficiency and ride quality is provided. A controller is configured to set a limit value of an operating point of an engine to reduce noises and vibrations. The operating point of the engine is restricted by the limit value within an acceptable region where an engine speed is higher than the limit value but an engine torque is lower than the limit value. The limit value is set to a first limit value when the vehicle is operated autonomously while carrying the passenger, and to a second limit value to expand the acceptable region when the vehicle is operated autonomously without carrying the passenger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kensei HATA, Yasuhiro OSHIUMI, Takahito ENDO, Yasuyuki KATO, Yushi SEKI, Katsuya IWAZAKI, Akira MURAKAMI
  • Publication number: 20180056979
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine and a controller. The controller starts the engine in response to a brake status before and during a change in vehicle operating mode achieving predetermined states, and expiration of a timer initiated upon completion of the change and having a duration based upon a learned mean mode-specific shift time window. The change is initiated in response to a request to change vehicle operating mode while the engine is off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Hafiz Shafeek Khafagy, Jonathan Wentworth, Essam Mohamed, Rashad Jamal Allen
  • Publication number: 20180056980
    Abstract: A system and method of controlling engine clutch engagement during TCS operation of a hybrid vehicle are provided. The method includes determining whether a TCS is operating and upon determining that the TCS is operating, determining a compensation value for early engagement of an engine clutch during the TCS operation based on a difference between a front wheel speed and a rear wheel speed and a slip amount of front wheels. Additionally, the method includes determining whether engagement of the engine clutch is capable of being started based on the compensation value and starting the engine clutch engagement. Since the engagement of the engine clutch is controlled based on the speed of non-drive wheels during TCS operation, the engagement stability of the engine clutch is improved and the amount of time required to engage the engine clutch is decreased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Teh Hwan Cho, Sang Joon Kim, Gwang Il Du, Ji Hoon Kang, Seong Ik Park
  • Publication number: 20180056981
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle and a method of controlling engine off are provided. The method includes turning off an engine in a desired state in a hybrid vehicle including a specific type powertrain. Particularly, the method includes entering an engine stop mode, stopping fuel injection and maintaining engine revolution per minute (rpm) in a first range using a first motor. Additionally, the method includes setting a second range of a crank angle of a stop angle control while the engine rpm is maintained in the first range and applying torque for engine off to the first motor when the crank angle is positioned in the set second range. The torque for engine off includes first torque for reducing the engine rpm and second torque for cancelling engine friction torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventor: Jin Kuk Cho
  • Publication number: 20180056982
    Abstract: A control system for hybrid vehicles to properly select an operating mode during autonomous operation is provided. An operating mode of the hybrid vehicle is selected from a hybrid mode and an electric vehicle mode. A controller that is configured to: determine an existence of a passenger in a vehicle compartment; select the electric vehicle mode in a case that the hybrid vehicle is operated autonomously while carrying the passenger; and select the hybrid mode in a case that the hybrid vehicle is operated autonomously without carrying the passenger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takahito ENDO, Yasuhiro OSHIUMI, Kensei HATA, Yasuyuki KATO, Yushi SEKI, Katsuya IWAZAKI, Akira MURAKAMI
  • Publication number: 20180056983
    Abstract: A battery system is provided. The system includes a battery and a sensor unit having a voltage sensor that detects a voltage of the battery and a current sensor that detects a charging and discharging current of the battery. A power relay assembly of the system includes a main relay that connects between the battery and a vehicle system. Additionally, a battery management system (BMS) applies different diagnostic error code confirm conditions to the voltage sensor and the current sensor when a multi-error of the voltage sensor and the current sensor is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Boram Yang, Hyun Soo Park
  • Publication number: 20180056984
    Abstract: To reduce an error of a phase difference between an angle of a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine and an angle of a rotor of a motor generator, provided are a control device for a hybrid vehicle and a control method for a hybrid vehicle, for detecting the angle of the crankshaft, detecting the angle of the rotor of the motor generator, determining whether or not a condition for ensuring that the error of the phase difference between the angle of the crankshaft and the angle of the rotor of the motor generator is becomes small is satisfied, and calculating the phase difference when the error of the phase difference is determined to be small.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Shingo YAMAGUCHI, Toshiaki DATE
  • Publication number: 20180056985
    Abstract: A powered balancing mobility device that can provide the user the ability to safely navigate expected environments of daily living including the ability to maneuver in confined spaces and to climb curbs, stairs, and other obstacles, and to travel safely and comfortably in vehicles. The mobility device can provide elevated, balanced travel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Stewart M. Coulter, Brian G. Gray, Dirk A. van der Merwe, Susan D. Dastous, Daniel F. Pawlowski, Bob D. Peret, Dean Kamen, Derek G. Kane, David B. Doherty, Matthew A. Norris, Alexander D. Streeter, David J. Couture, Matthew J. Myers, Matthew B. Kinberger, Constance D. Pitenis, Allison E. Lepine, David E. Collins, Erik N. Sabin, Katie A. DeLaurentis, Catharine N. Flynn, Elizabeth Rousseau, Thomas A. Doyon, Dale B. McGrath, Ryan J. Adams, Prashant Bhat, Trevor A. Conway, David J. Meehan, Tania M. F. Zirn
  • Publication number: 20180056986
    Abstract: A system includes a computing device that includes a processor and a memory. The memory stores instructions executable by the processor. One instruction is to determine a transition in performance of a steering system actuator of a vehicle to a diminished operating mode. Another instruction is to determine a maneuverable envelope of vehicle velocity and path curvature adapted to the diminished operating mode. Another instruction is to select a vehicle velocity within the envelope for a path curvature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dexin Wang, Douglas Scott Rhode
  • Publication number: 20180056987
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle control apparatus and a vehicle control method capable of improving traceability when a speed reduction torque is applied. A vehicle control apparatus according to the present invention is configured to calculate the speed reduction torque to be generated on a vehicle based on an accelerator operation state and a front wheel slip angle. More specifically, when being brought into a turning state while a coasting torque is applied, the vehicle control apparatus makes a correction so as to reduce an absolute value of the coasting torque, thereby improving the traceability and the drivability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Keisuke SUZUKI, Masahiro NAKAMIZO, Satoshi KANEKO
  • Publication number: 20180056988
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for a vehicle remote starter safety system. An example disclosed vehicle includes range detection sensors and an autonomy unit. The example autonomy unit, in response to receiving a start signal, confirms, via the range detection sensors, that a garage door of a garage in which the vehicle is located is open, starts an engine of the vehicle, and autonomously maneuvers the vehicle out of a garage until a tailpipe of the vehicle is outside the garage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventor: Charles W. Heil, JR.
  • Publication number: 20180056989
    Abstract: Methods and Systems are provided for performing an automated parking operation of a vehicle. The methods and systems determine a position of a wireless driver device located outside of the vehicle. A vision system provides video data having a field of view selected based on the position of the wireless driver device. Gesture recognition processing is performed on the video data having the selected field of view. At least one gesture command is determined from the gesture recognition processing. An automated parking operation of the vehicle is performed using the at least one gesture command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: PAUL A. DONALD, JARVIS CHAU
  • Publication number: 20180056990
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide systems and methods for autonomously valet parking a vehicle based on images obtained from a plurality of plenoptic (light field) cameras. An example vehicle includes a plenoptic camera to obtain an image external to the vehicle and a controller. The controller is to autonomously navigate a vehicle toward a parking space identified as unoccupied and generate, based on the image, an occupancy map indicating occupied regions in a plurality of concentric regions. The controller also is to determine whether the parking space is available based on the occupancy map and send, in response to determining the parking space is unavailable, an error message to a driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Larry Dean Elie, Douglas Scott Rhode
  • Publication number: 20180056991
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes: a storage unit; and a control unit configured to acquire the locations of the plurality of autonomous driving vehicles on the map and the difficulty state information from the vehicles through communication, totalize the number of reports on the difficulty state information for each of levels of difficulty in each of traveling sections based on the vehicles locations and difficulty state information stored in the storage unit, determine whether the totalized number is equal to or more than a threshold value for each of the levels of difficulty and determine a traveling section, where at least one of the numbers of reports is equal to or more than the threshold value, as an autonomous driving difficult section, distribute to the vehicles the autonomous driving difficult section, and determine the autonomous driving difficult section with a smaller threshold value as the level of difficulty is higher.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventor: Kiyohiro Sogen
  • Publication number: 20180056992
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus capable of communicating with a plurality of autonomous driving vehicles includes: a storage unit configured to store a location of an autonomous driving difficult section on a map in association with a predetermined release condition; and a control unit configured to acquire from the plurality of autonomous driving vehicles reporting data of each of the autonomous driving vehicles through communication, the reporting data including a location of the vehicle on the map and at least one of reliability of the autonomous driving, difficulty state information indicative of the autonomous driving being difficult or not difficult, and a result of driver intervention, and the control unit being configured to determine whether to release the autonomous driving difficult section based on the acquired reporting data and on the location and the release condition of the autonomous driving difficult section stored in the storage unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Kiyohiro Sogen, Hiroyuki Aono, Yoshihiro Ohe, Akiomi Kunisa, Junichi Meguro
  • Publication number: 20180056993
    Abstract: A vehicle and ladar sensor assembly system is proposed which makes use of forward mounted long range ladar sensors and short range ladar sensors mounted in auxiliary lamps to identify obstacles and to identify potential collisions with the vehicle. A low cost assembly is developed which can be easily mounted within a body panel cutout of a vehicle, and which connects to the vehicle electrical and computer systems through the vehicle wiring harness. The vehicle has a digital processor which interprets 3D data received from the ladar sensor assembly, and which is in control of the vehicle subsystems for steering, braking, acceleration, and suspension. The digital processor onboard the vehicle makes use of the 3D data and the vehicle control subsystems to avoid collisions and steer a best path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL ADVANCED LIDAR SOLUTIONS US, LLC
    Inventors: Roger Stettner, Patrick B. Gilliland, Andrew Duerner
  • Publication number: 20180056994
    Abstract: A vehicle front-wheel turning control apparatus includes a drive force transmission path, a braking force controller, a detector, and a front-wheel turning controller. The detector detects one of occurred contact of the vehicle with respect to a forward object at an occurred contact position and unavoidable contact thereof at an unavoidable contact position. The front-wheel turning controller turns one, of the left and right front wheels, to which the drive force is transmitted, by causing the braking force controller to apply the braking force to the one of the left and right front wheels, on a basis of a state of the drive force transmitted to each of the left and right front wheels and one of the occurred and unavoidable contact positions, when the one of the occurred contact and the unavoidable contact is detected by the detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masato NAKATAKE, Yoshiaki UTSUGI, Shinji MATSUSHITA, Tsukasa SATO, Toshi ISHIDA, Hajime TERASAKI
  • Publication number: 20180056995
    Abstract: A controller in a host vehicle includes a processor and a memory storing processor-executable instructions. The processor is programmed to calculate an error bound for confidence intervals of a predicted position at a future time of a target vehicle relative laterally to a current position and orientation of the host vehicle at a current time based on a current position and velocity of the target vehicle and the future time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kun Deng, Wangdong Luo, Nanjun Liu, Alex Maurice Miller
  • Publication number: 20180056996
    Abstract: A driver assistance apparatus for a vehicle includes a camera configured to photograph an image of surroundings of a vehicle; an interface; and a processor. The processor is configured to detect, based on the image photographed by the camera, a lane in which the vehicle travels; acquire braking state information of the vehicle; and provide, to a steering apparatus, a signal for steering the vehicle or provide, to a brake apparatus, a signal for one-sided braking through the interface to maintain the vehicle within the lane in which the vehicle travels during a braking of the vehicle based on the acquired braking state information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventor: Jinkyo LEE
  • Publication number: 20180056997
    Abstract: A vehicle control device mounted in a vehicle comprises an object detection section for detecting a connection path which is connected to a traveling road, a speed distribution area setting section for setting a speed distribution area, and an avoidance control execution section for executing avoidance control of changing the vehicle speed and/or a steering direction of the vehicle to prevent the vehicle speed from exceeding the allowable upper limit value in the speed distribution area, wherein the speed distribution area setting section is configured, upon detection of the connection path by the object detection section, to set the speed distribution area on an assumption that an object exists in a connection region between the detected connection path and the traveling road.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi OHMURA, Tetsuya TACHIHATA