Patents Issued in October 18, 2018
  • Publication number: 20180297566
    Abstract: A brake system may comprise a controller, a vehicle management system (VMS) in communication with the controller, a valve in communication with the controller, and a tangible, non-transitory memory configured to communicate with the controller, the tangible, non-transitory memory having instructions stored thereon that, in response to execution by the controller, cause the controller to perform operations comprising determining, by the controller, that a first enable signal is received by the controller from the VMS, determining, by the controller, that a second enable signal is received by the controller from the VMS, and disabling, by the controller, the controller from control of the valve in response to the first enable signal and the second enable signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Applicant: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Daniel Cahill, Thomas Fink, Marc Georgin, Efrem Ayichew
  • Publication number: 20180297567
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of controlling the braking of an aircraft equipped with a landing gear bearing braked wheels, the aircraft being propelled by jet engines and equipped with a thrust reversal system, the method involving the steps of estimating the grip/adhesion of the braked wheels and activating the thrust-reversal system or modulating the reverse-thrust generated by the thrust-reversal system if this system is already activated, based on the estimated grip/adhesion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Applicants: Safran Nacelles, Safran Landing Systems
    Inventors: Patrick GONIDEC, Hakim MAALIOUNE, François TAILLARD, Denis JONTEF, Marie-Laure DE-CRESCENZO, Jean-François HAMMANN
  • Publication number: 20180297568
    Abstract: An electronic brake pressure control system for a vehicle includes an anti-lock brake device and a vehicle movement dynamics control device. The latter includes dynamics control electronics which are attached to the vehicle separately from the anti-lock brake device and are connected to a brake pressure control unit of the anti-lock brake device via a line connection. The dynamics control electronics are attached to a pressure medium assembly of the brake pressure control system and form, with the pressure medium assembly, a structural unit which is pre-assembled and secured to the vehicle. The dynamics control electronics are effectively isolated from little-side interference vibrations. The brake pressure control system, with or without vehicle movement dynamics control, is made available commercially in parallel and in a cost-effective way despite respective small individual production numbers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventor: Michael Stemmler
  • Publication number: 20180297569
    Abstract: A brake apparatus includes a master cylinder, a hydraulic source, a reservoir tank, a fluid pool, a fluid level detection unit, and an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to switch brake control according to the fluid level detected by the fluid level detection unit. The brake fluid is transmitted from the first chamber to the wheel cylinder with use of the master cylinder to increase a pressure in the wheel cylinder. The brake fluid in the second chamber is transmitted to the wheel cylinder with use of the hydraulic source to increase a pressure in the wheel cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Toshiya OOSAWA, Asahi WATANABE
  • Publication number: 20180297570
    Abstract: The assembly comprises a body wherein there are defined a chamber, a supply valve adapted to connect the chamber to a pressure source or to the atmosphere, and a vent valve adapted to allow or prevent the connection of the chamber to the atmosphere. The valves are provided with control solenoids to which respective electronic switches are coupled. The assembly also comprises electronic control devices adapted to provide, as a function of the values of at least one input signal, logic control signals to the electronic switches so as to control, through the valves, the value of the pressure in the chamber. The control means comprise two processing and control devices independent of one another, both receiving the input signal and designed to execute strategies for controlling the pressure in the chamber, equivalent to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Roberto TIONE, Andrea Cavazzin, Angelo Grasso
  • Publication number: 20180297571
    Abstract: An actuating device of a brake system controlled by a brake pedal and/or a brake management system for supplying brake circuits with pressurized brake fluid includes a master cylinder, an electric motor, a ball/nut screw transmission, a nut, a screw, and a free connection rod. The master cylinder is connected to the brake circuits and has a primary piston. The electric motor is controlled for a braking action. The ball nut/screw transmission is configured to transform rotary movement of the electric motor into a translational movement of the primary piston. The nut is blocked from moving in translation, free to rotate, and driven by the electric motor. The screw is free to move in translation but blocked from rotating. The free connection rod is pressed between a base of the primary piston and the screw in order to transmit a thrust of the screw to the primary piston.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Raynald Sprocq, Chris Anderson
  • Publication number: 20180297572
    Abstract: An air dryer cartridge, in particular for a compressed air treatment system of a commercial vehicle, includes a cartridge housing having a closed housing cover, an inner housing arranged in the cartridge housing, a desiccant accommodated in a space between the cartridge housing and the inner housing, a filter arrangement arranged inside the cartridge housing and positioned in the compressed air stream upstream of the desiccant in relation to normal operation of the air dryer cartridge, and a bypass for bypassing the filter device. A non-return valve, which blocks a compressed air stream in the direction towards the desiccant and allows a compressed air stream in the direction away from the desiccant, is arranged in the bypass. The non-return valve is formed in one piece together with the inner housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Guenther REIFINGER, Andreas OCHSENKUEHN, Stefan SCHAEBEL, Andreas LEINUNG
  • Publication number: 20180297573
    Abstract: Systems and methods for indicating the health of brakes on an aircraft or a ground vehicle. One method for monitoring brake health calculates the ratio of input energy to output energy during braking. The input energy is a function of commanded brake force and speed. The output energy may be measured by measuring the increase in temperature or the actual brake force over time during brake application. When using brake temperatures, the temperatures in a pair of brakes may optionally be compared. If the respective measured temperatures of the two brakes differ by an amount that exceeds a specified threshold, the system produces an indication that one brake may require repair or replacement. Variability due to operational and environmental factors that affect measured temperature can be reduced by comparing the measured brake temperatures for one brake with selected brake temperature data collected from the same brake during other landings under similar conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Shahriar Alam, Daniel D. Gilbertson, James Schimert
  • Publication number: 20180297574
    Abstract: A method for detecting a leak of a hydraulic brake system of a vehicle having at least two wheel brakes. A slip control of the wheel brake assigned to the respective vehicle wheel is carried out by a respective pressure modulation unit. The pressure medium volume delivered by a brake pressure source is detected. A pressure sensor output identifies a model value for the pressure value detected by the pressure sensor. A differential value is determined which indicates the difference between the pressure medium volume delivered and the model value, and the differential value is compared with a threshold, and a leak is reported if the differential value exceeds the threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Applicant: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Jochen ZIMMERMANN, Thorsten ULLRICH
  • Publication number: 20180297575
    Abstract: A mining machine is provided. The mining machine includes a frame. The mining machine includes an engine mounted on the frame. The mining machine also includes a transmission unit operably coupled to the engine. The mining machine further includes an electric drive operably coupled to the transmission unit. The electric drive is adapted to operate as an electric motor in a first operating mode of the machine to provide electric power to the mining machine. The electric drive is also adapted to operate as an electric generator in a second operating mode of the machine to generate electric power for later use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2017
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Underground Mining Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: Alexander E. Dowling
  • Publication number: 20180297576
    Abstract: A method of performing a mode transition in a hybrid vehicle includes: determining a transition from a first mode to a second mode; comparing a driver's required torque with a maximum torque of an electric motor, determining a compensation torque when the driver's required torque is greater than the maximum torque; and determining a first torque to be output from an engine and a second torque to be output from a hybrid starter generator, which is connected to the engine, in consideration of the compensation torque and a system efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventor: Young Jun LEE
  • Publication number: 20180297577
    Abstract: A mode switching method of a hybrid vehicle includes: determining a reference on-power as a reference for switching from a first mode to a second mode and a reference off-power as a reference for switching from the second mode to the first mode; determining a minimum on-power, a minimum off-power, and a maximum off-power; and determining a final on-power and a final off-power using the reference on-power, the reference off-power, the minimum on-power, the minimum off-power, and the maximum off-power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Jea Mun LEE, Jee Wook HUH
  • Publication number: 20180297578
    Abstract: A method of controlling a hybrid vehicle includes steps of determining a first torque, the first torque being a currently required torque, determining a second torque to be generated at a near-future time, or a predicted acceleration at the near-future time, determining a predicted speed at the near-future time based on a current speed and the second torque or the predicted acceleration, determining when it is determined that one of engine start and shift conditions is satisfied at a current time based on at least one of the first torque and the current speed, whether the remaining one of the engine start shift conditions is satisfied at the near-future time, and controlling an event corresponding to the satisfied condition at the current time is delayed or an event corresponding to the satisfied condition at the near-future time is advanced when the remaining one condition is satisfied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventor: Joon Young Park
  • Publication number: 20180297579
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes: an engine; a catalyst; a motor generator; and a drive control unit. The catalyst is provided in an exhaust path of the engine. The motor generator is coupled to the engine and capable of regenerating electric power. The drive control unit is configured to increase torque output from the engine and cause the motor generator to regenerate the electric power by using the torque output from the engine in the case where the hybrid vehicle is in a deceleration state and a temperature of the catalyst is lower than a specified catalyst activation temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Applicant: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kosuke KUWABARA
  • Publication number: 20180297580
    Abstract: An electronic control unit is configured to make an engine start-up threshold at a time of second operation control smaller than an engine start-up threshold at a time of first operation control. Therefore, the engine stop time at the time of the first operation control can be made long. In consequence, the vehicle efficiency can be enhanced in a vehicle in which the first operation control and the second operation control can be selectively performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takashi KOHNO, Kenta KUMAZAKI
  • Publication number: 20180297581
    Abstract: A vehicle powertrain control technique includes obtaining, by a controller, a set of parameters each indicative of a gear shift operation for an automatic transmission. Cased on the set of parameters, the controller detects whether a gear shift operation of the automatic transmission is imminent. In response to detecting that the gear shift operation of the automatic transmission is imminent, the controller (i) determines a desired reduction in powertrain output torque for performing the gear shift operation and (ii) controls the powertrain to temporarily reduce its torque output via a technique other than spark retardation. After reducing the powertrain output torque, the controller commands the automatic transmission to perform the gear shift operation. The temporary powertrain output torque reduction is achieved by controlling a variable valve control (VVC) system of an engine, such as commanding a lower valve lift profile, or decreasing power supplied to an electric motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Amit Shrestha, Fadi Estefanous, Lurun Zhong
  • Publication number: 20180297582
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a drive device (1) of a motor vehicle, comprising an internal combustion engine (2) having a first exhaust gas turbocharger (5) and a second exhaust gas turbocharger (6), and comprising at least one electric machine (3), wherein the exhaust gas turbochargers (5, 6) are connected in series, wherein at least the second exhaust gas turbocharger (6) has means for varying the output thereof, and wherein the output at least of the second exhaust gas turbocharger (6) is varied in accordance with a required target torque of the drive device (1). According to the invention, the electric machine (3) is controlled in accordance with the time of the variation, in order to compensate for a deviation of an actual torque of the drive device (1) from the target torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Theiss, Bernhard Matrohs, Detlev Bareuther
  • Publication number: 20180297583
    Abstract: A control system and method for a vehicle having a powertrain comprising a torque generating system and an automatic transmission each utilize a pedal position sensor configured to measure a position of an accelerator pedal of the vehicle and a controller configured to, based on the accelerator pedal position, detect a pedal tip-in or tip-out event and, in response to detecting the pedal tip-in or tip-out event: (i) determine a desired output torque for the torque generating system corresponding to the pedal tip-in or tip-out event and (ii) command the torque generating system to gradually transition, over a period, from its current output torque to the desired output torque to mitigate clunk caused by abrupt contact between gear teeth of the torque generating system shaft and the automatic transmission shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Amit Shrestha, Fadi Estefanous, Lurun Zhong, Yang Liang
  • Publication number: 20180297584
    Abstract: An electronic control unit of a hybrid vehicle controls an engine and an inverter to execute inverterless traveling. The inverterless traveling is a traveling state where the inverter is set to a gate blocking state, and where a reaction force of a torque that is output by a rotating electric device when the rotating electric device to be rotated by output of the engine generates electric power is applied to an output shaft. The electronic control unit controls a converter to adjust a voltage of an electric power line to a predetermined maximum voltage or a voltage within a predetermined range from the maximum voltage when a shift range of the hybrid vehicle is switched to a non-forward range from a forward range during the inverterless traveling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yu SHIMIZU
  • Publication number: 20180297585
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses an electric vehicle and an active safety control system and method thereof. The system includes: a wheel speed detection module configured to detect a wheel speed to generate a wheel speed signal; a steering wheel rotation angle sensor and a yaw rate sensor module, configured to detect state information of the electric vehicle; a motor controller; and an active safety controller configured to receive the wheel speed signal and state information, obtain state information of a battery pack and state information of four motors, obtain a first side slip signal or a second side slip signal according to the wheel speed signal, the state information, the battery pack and the four motors, and according to the first side slip signal or the second side slip signal, control four hydraulic brakes of the electric vehicle and control the four motors by using the motor controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Applicant: BYD COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Yubo LIAN, Hongbin LUO, Jintao ZHANG, Dongsheng YANG
  • Publication number: 20180297586
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for controlling autonomous driving of a vehicle, and a vehicle system are provided. The apparatus monitors a stress state of a driver using biometric information of the driver and calculates an allowable jerk of the driver based on a jerk at a time point at which the stress state of the driver exceeds a preset reference value. A predicted jerk is calculated based on location and movement information of the vehicle and a preceding vehicle measured while the vehicle travels, and lane information. Additionally, a driving state of the vehicle is determined when the predicted jerk exceeds an allowable jerk of the driver and an alarm is output based on the driving state of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jin Kwon Kim, Sam Yong Kim, Yu Jin Yun, Seong Sook Ryu, Hwal Ly Lee, Byoung Joon Lee
  • Publication number: 20180297587
    Abstract: A control system for providing a yaw moment control action is provided. The control system comprises a command interpreter and a control segment. The command interpreter is configured to generate desired current vehicle states, when a vehicle is driven manually, wherein the current vehicle states comprise a target yaw rate state and a target lateral velocity state. The command interpreter is further configured to generate a desired states vector, when the vehicle is driven autonomously, using vehicle path planning instructions, wherein the desired states vector comprises current and future ideal yaw rate and lateral velocity states. The control segment is configured to generate a yaw moment control action using the desired current vehicle states when the vehicle is driven manually and generate a yaw moment control action using the desired states vector when the vehicle is driven autonomously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: SEYEDALIREZA KASAIEZADEH MAHABADI, BAKHTIAR B. LITKOUHI
  • Publication number: 20180297588
    Abstract: A method for the delayed parking optimization of an autonomous vehicle includes activating a delayed parking optimization mode in a vehicle and, during the delayed parking optimization mode, detecting a presence of one or more passengers in the vehicle. On condition that no further passengers are detected in the vehicle, a delay period is initiated subsequent to which the vehicle engages the transmission of the vehicle from park to reverse, applies power to cause the vehicle to back out of the parking spot onto the roadway, engages the transmission into drive, applies power and manages steering and braking of the vehicle in order to navigate the vehicle forward on the roadway beyond the parking spot, engages the transmission into reverse, applies power and manages steering of the vehicle to cause the vehicle to back into the parking spot and engages the transmission of the vehicle into park.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Nixon Cheaz, Anthony Diaz, Michael E. Head, Jordana H. Kerr
  • Publication number: 20180297589
    Abstract: A parking assist device according to the present invention includes a backward-direction-path calculation unit that calculates a backward-direction path for taking an own vehicle out from a target parking position B based on constraint conditions of a parking space and an own-vehicle behavior, a connection-candidate-position storage unit that sets a plurality of connection candidate positions D on the backward-direction path, a forward-direction-path calculation unit that calculates a forward-direction path leadable to one of the connection candidate positions D from a current position A of the own vehicle, and a parking-path setting unit that sets a parking path by combining the backward-direction path and the forward-direction path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Applicant: CLARION CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Noriyasu HASEJIMA, Shinya TAGAWA
  • Publication number: 20180297590
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling driving of a vehicle includes an active safety driving device for changing a driving mode of the vehicle from a normal driving mode to an active safety driving mode, a front detection sensor for recognizing a front vehicle as a control target dangerous vehicle when the front vehicle attempts to change into a lane in which the vehicle travels, and a vehicle control device for determining whether to generate a margin shaping for the control target dangerous vehicle, and for controlling the active safety driving device based on the margin-shaped control target dangerous vehicle when the margin shaping is applied to the control target dangerous vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Min Chul KANG, Chan Il PARK
  • Publication number: 20180297591
    Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus includes a collision time calculation section configured to calculate a time-to-collision; an activation region setting section configured to set an activation region to an area present ahead of and in the travelling direction of an own vehicle, the activation region having a predetermined width in a lateral direction that is orthogonal to a path of the own vehicle; a timing setting section configured to set timing activating a safety device; a determination region setting section configured to set a determination region to an area present diagonally ahead of and in the travelling direction of the own vehicle, the determination region having a predetermined width in the lateral direction; a timer section configured to measure a time for which a target stays in the determination region; a correction section configured to perform, in a case where the time measured by the timer section is long, a process for decreasing the width of the activation region and a process for decreasing ac
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventor: Akitoshi MINEMURA
  • Publication number: 20180297592
    Abstract: Described is a system for predicting the behavior of an autonomous system. The system identifies a taxonomic state of a motion condition of an autonomous vehicle based on a spatiotemporal location of the autonomous vehicle and elements of a driving scenario. Behavior of the autonomous vehicle is predicted based on the taxonomic state of the motion condition. The autonomous vehicle makes and implements a driving operation decision based on the predicted behavior.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Hyun (Tiffany) J. Kim, Christian Lebiere, Jerry Vinokurov, Rajan Bhattacharyya
  • Publication number: 20180297593
    Abstract: A method for collision avoidance of a motor vehicle with an emergency vehicle includes detecting surroundings of the motor vehicle using an optical detection arrangement, detecting wider surroundings of the motor vehicle using an acoustic detection arrangement, and detecting traffic users in the surroundings. The wider surroundings are investigated to detect a signal indicative of an emergency signal of the emergency vehicle, and a trajectory of motion for each of the detected traffic user is determined. If emergency signal is detected, a further investigation is undertaken to detect behavior that is indicative of a hazardous situation in the surroundings. If the behavior indicative of the hazardous situation detected, then the method also includes locating a position of the emergency vehicle and determining a trajectory of motion for the emergency vehicle based on the position of the emergency vehicle and the determined trajectories of motion of the detected traffic users.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Mandar PITALE, Christian REMPIS, Christian CONNETTE, Sebastian GRUENWEDEL, Benjamin SOBOTTA
  • Publication number: 20180297594
    Abstract: Provided are a vehicular motion control device and method such that, even when a vehicle is turning, the target trajectory can be followed while maintaining traveling stability, with a reduced sense of incongruity felt by the driver. This vehicular motion control device is equipped with: a target trajectory acquisition unit that acquires a target trajectory for a vehicle to travel; and a speed control unit that increases or decreases the longitudinal acceleration generated in the vehicle, the longitudinal acceleration being positive in the vehicle travel direction. If the vehicle deviates from the target trajectory during turning, the speed control unit performs longitudinal acceleration control to increase or decrease the longitudinal acceleration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2016
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Applicant: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Junya TAKAHASHI, Atsushi YOKOYAMA, Masamichi IMAMURA
  • Publication number: 20180297595
    Abstract: A vehicle control system having a plurality of speed control systems, each operable to cause the vehicle to operate in accordance with a respective target speed. The system is operable wherein one of the plurality of speed control systems may be selected to control vehicle speed at a given moment in time, wherein when responsibility for speed control is transferred from a first one of the plurality of speed control systems to a second one of the speed control systems, the second one of the speed control systems is operable to set a value of target speed thereof to a value corresponding to that of the target speed of the first.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Andrew Fairgrieve, James Kelly, Simon Gilling, Daniel Woolliscroft
  • Publication number: 20180297596
    Abstract: Implementations of path planning methods, devices, and systems are disclosed. In an implementation, a first velocity set of a target vehicle is determined according to a first velocity set of a reference vehicle of the target vehicle. The first velocity set includes velocity information in one-to-one correspondence to at least one time point. The first segment is a next segment of a current driving segment of the target vehicle, and the reference vehicle is a preceding vehicle of the target vehicle; and sending the first velocity set of the target vehicle to the target vehicle. Lane-level path planning can be implemented for a road lane, a ramp, and a crossroad etc. By planning a driving velocity of a vehicle in advance, overall traffic efficiency can be improved and a possibility of traffic accidents can be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Li LI, Jingwei LI
  • Publication number: 20180297597
    Abstract: A response vehicle includes an engine, a transmission coupled to the engine, a pumping system operatively engaged with the transmission and thereby configured to at least selectively receive mechanical energy generated by the engine via the transmission, and a central controller communicably coupled to the engine, transmission, and pumping system. The pumping system has an input configured to interface with a water source and receive an inlet flow of water. The central controller is configured to receive an indication regarding the pressure of the water at the input of the pumping system, and transmit a control signal to the transmission to change an effective gear ratio of the transmission while the transmission is operably coupled to the pumping system based on the received indication regarding the pressure of the water at the input of the pumping system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Applicant: Oshkosh Corporation
    Inventors: Eric R. Linsmeier, Brian Piller, David W. Archer, Chad T. Dolphin
  • Publication number: 20180297598
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for optimizing traffic control device detection are provided. The method includes: determining whether a first vehicle is traveling to an intersection with a traffic control device and whether the first vehicle is within a predetermined distance of the intersection; in response to determining that the first vehicle is traveling to the intersection with the traffic control device and that the first vehicle is within the first predetermined distance of the intersection, scanning for the traffic control device; controlling the first vehicle to increase a distance between the first vehicle and a second vehicle in front of the first vehicle if the scanning fails to detect the traffic control device; and controlling the first vehicle to maintain the distance between the first vehicle and the second vehicle in front of the first vehicle if the scanning detects the traffic control device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Valor Yaldo, Xiaofeng Song
  • Publication number: 20180297599
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a vehicle that includes an engine includes an electric generator, a throttle valve, an electric generator control unit, and a throttle control unit. The electric generator is configured to be coupled to the engine. The throttle valve is configured to control an amount of intake air of the engine. The electric generator control unit is configured to allow the electric generator to perform regenerative power-generation on decelerated travel of the vehicle. The throttle control unit is configured to control the throttle valve openwise on the decelerated travel. The electric generator control unit is configured to cause an increase in power-generation torque of the electric generator, upon a switchover of the engine from a fuel cut state to a fuel injection state on the decelerated travel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Takahiro Kinoshita, Hirofumi Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20180297600
    Abstract: A driving force control system for a vehicle configured to control a driving force based on the accelerating operation by the driver. The vehicle comprises a drive unit including a prime mover and a transmission, an accelerator device; and a controller. The controller is configured to: calculate an operating amount of the accelerator device; calculate an operating speed of the accelerator device; calculate a target jerk; and control an output torque of the drive unit based on the target jerk, when the operating amount is smaller than a predetermined amount, and the operating speed is slower than a predetermined speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroyasu KITAGAWA
  • Publication number: 20180297601
    Abstract: In a hybrid vehicle, when an abnormality occurs in a first current sensor and a second current sensor during operation of an engine, a controller is configured to execute one-phase on control to a first inverter, and perform gate shutoff to a second inverter. The controller is configured to, in switching a target phase in the one-phase on control, when an electric angle of a first motor is within a switching range where an assumption is made that a torque difference between torque of the first motor before switching of the target phase and torque of the first motor after switching of the target phase becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value, switch the target phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takashi FUKAYA, Shinjiro ASHIDA
  • Publication number: 20180297602
    Abstract: A system configured to determine a physical state of a vehicle occupant within a vehicle is described herein. The system includes an electrode in contact with the vehicle occupant and containing nano-scale metal fibers or carbon nanotubes and a controller that determines the physical state of the vehicle occupant based on an output of the electrode. The controller initiates a countermeasure based on the physical state of the vehicle occupant. A system configured to generate electricity based upon a temperature difference between a vehicle occupant and a portion of a vehicle interior is also presented herein. This system includes a thermoelectric device containing nano-scale metal fibers or carbon nanotubes. The thermoelectric device has a first side in contact with a vehicle occupant and a second side in contact with a portion of the vehicle interior. The thermoelectric device supplies electrical power to an electrical system of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Zachary J. Richmond, Evangelia Rubino, Robert J. Seidler
  • Publication number: 20180297603
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus and a method for controlling a vehicle based on a degree of fatigue of a driver. The apparatus includes: a fatigue degree learning device configured to learn a degree of initial fatigue of the driver based on biometric information of the driver received from a sensor; a fatigue degree monitoring device configured to, when learning the degree of initial fatigue of the driver is completed and driving of a vehicle is started, monitor the degree of fatigue of the driver by receiving the biometric information of the driver from the sensor, and output a control signal corresponding to the degree of fatigue of the driver, and a driving controller configured to control the driving of the vehicle based on the control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Applicants: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Sung Hwan JUN
  • Publication number: 20180297604
    Abstract: Method for automatically assessing performance of a driver (110) of a vehicle (100) for a particular trip, wherein current driving data sets, comprising basic driving data are repeatedly read from the vehicle, which method comprises the steps a) collecting previous-trip driving data sets, comprising instantaneous vehicle energy consumption, for different previous trips, different drivers and different vehicles; b) grouping said previous-trip driving data sets into basic historic groups and calculating a respective group performance parameter; c) further grouping said previous-trip driving data sets into extended historic groups; d) mapping each current-trip data set to said extended historic groups; and e) calculating a current-trip performance parameter based upon the group performance parameter values of the respective basic historic groups corresponding to previous-trip driving data sets comprised in the extended historic group to which a current-trip data set was matched in step d.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventor: Anders LINDELÖF
  • Publication number: 20180297605
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an improved system and method for validating vehicle lateral velocity estimation. The provided system and method employ an efficient validation algorithm to detect lateral velocity estimation faults. The method and system are robust to road uncertainties and do not require redundant estimations or measurements. The provided system and method offer a technological solution for real time validation of lateral velocity estimation using already existing vehicle sensors, and are independent of (i) road condition information, (ii) wheel torque information, (iii) tire model information, and (iv) tire wear information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: SEYEDALIREZA KASAIEZADEH MAHABADI, EHSAN HASHEMI, BAKHTIAR B. LITKOUHI, NIKOLAI K. MOSHCHUK, SHIH-KEN CHEN
  • Publication number: 20180297606
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a request is received to turn the autonomous driving vehicle (ADV) from a first direction to a second direction. In response to the request, a number of segment masses of a number of segments of the ADV are determined. The segment masses are located on a plurality of predetermined locations within a vehicle platform of the ADV. A location of a mass center for an entire ADV is calculated based on the segment masses of the segments of the ADV, where the mass center represents a center of an entire mass of the entire ADV. A steering control command based on the location of the mass center of the entire ADV for steering control of the ADV.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Qi LUO, Qi KONG, Fan ZHU, Sen HU, Xiang YU, Zhenguang ZHU, Yuchang PAN, Jiarui HE, Haoyang FAN, Guang YANG, Jingao WANG
  • Publication number: 20180297607
    Abstract: In some examples, a controller determines a target condition of usage of a vehicle, and selects a parameter set from among a plurality of parameter sets based on the determined target condition of usage of the vehicle, the plurality of parameter sets corresponding to different conditions of usage of the vehicle, where each parameter set of the plurality of parameter sets includes one or more parameters that control adjustment of one or more respective adjustable elements of the vehicle. The controller transmits, to the vehicle, the selected parameter set to control a setting of the one or more adjustable elements of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Edward Snow Willis, Christopher Scott Travers, Yuhui Liu, Ning Erin Ren, Hashim Mohammad Qaderi, Prabhul Dev, Karthik Velakur Sambamoorthy, Parvez Ahmed, Eric Yeung, Evgueni Eugene Markine, Scott Hutchens
  • Publication number: 20180297608
    Abstract: In some examples, a controller receives measurement data from a sensor on a vehicle, determines, based on the measurement data, a condition of usage of the vehicle, and selects a parameter set from among a plurality of parameter sets based on the determined condition of usage of the vehicle, the plurality of parameter sets corresponding to different conditions of usage of the vehicle, where each parameter set of the plurality of parameter sets includes one or more parameters that control adjustment of one or more respective adjustable elements of the vehicle. The controller causes application of the selected parameter set on the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Edward Snow Willis, Christopher Scott Travers, Yuhui Liu, Ning Erin Ren, Hashim Mohammad Qaderi, Prabhul Dev, Karthik Velakur Sambamoorthy, Parvez Ahmed, Eric Yeung, Evgueni Eugene Markine, Scott Hutchens
  • Publication number: 20180297609
    Abstract: A method for operating a highly or fully automated vehicle equipped with a plurality of driving functions and at least two, at least partially redundant sensors recording measurement data. In this method, the sensors are checked for their operativeness. The measurement data of the at least two, at least partially redundant sensors are based on different measuring principles, and at least one driving function is modified and/or deactivated as a function of the operativeness of the sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Richard Bozsik
  • Publication number: 20180297610
    Abstract: A method for monitoring and modifying motor vehicle functions, includes the following steps: ascertaining an anomalous behavior of a function; transmitting the anomalous behavior to a back end; receiving instructions from the back end, the instructions indicating acute measures to be taken in the motor vehicle in order to adequately react to the anomalous behavior of the function; ascertaining a motor vehicle component which is the cause of the anomalous behavior on the basis of the received instructions; converting the motor vehicle component to a degraded configuration which has a limited functional scope; and if the conversion to the degraded configuration is not possible, converting the motor vehicle component to a safe configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Kay FISCHER, Albrecht NEFF, Michael PITZ
  • Publication number: 20180297611
    Abstract: A notice management apparatus controls a notice instrument that provides a notice to an occupant of a vehicle. The notice instrument is mounted to the vehicle together with a vehicle control apparatus that achieves an assistance function assisting a lane change of the vehicle. The notice management apparatus includes a start time obtainer section and a notice adjuster section. The start time obtainer section obtains the information which indicates a steering start point of time at which the vehicle control apparatus starts a lane change of the vehicle. The notice adjuster section causes the notice instrument to provide continuously a notice indicating a decrease in a residual period of time up to the steering start point of time obtained by the start time obtainer section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Yuki FUJISAWA, Norio YAMAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20180297612
    Abstract: An autonomous driving device includes: a traveling control unit configured to cause a vehicle to autonomously travel to a destination; an arrival determination unit configured to determine whether the vehicle has arrived at the destination; a getting in-out detection unit configured to detect whether an occupant has gotten in or gotten out of the vehicle; and a notification unit configured to send a notification to an outside of the vehicle when the getting in-out detection unit does not detect that the occupant has gotten in or gotten out of the vehicle within a predetermined getting in-out determination time after the arrival determination unit determines that the vehicle has arrived at the destination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hideo FUKAMACHI
  • Publication number: 20180297613
    Abstract: A method for output of haptic information to a driver of a motor vehicle via a brake pedal includes ascertaining, based on signals of an environment-sensor system, imminence of a traffic situation that poses a potential risk to the motor vehicle, and modifying, during a driving of the motor vehicle, independent of a driver input, and in response to the ascertained imminence of the traffic situation, a characteristic of the brake pedal of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Alessandro Moia, Armin Verhagen, Laszlo Boros, Simon Hansmann, Thomas Friedrich
  • Publication number: 20180297614
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a generator system for rail vehicles, for example, a system including a generator with a rotor and a stator, and a journal box unit. The journal box unit may include a bearing for mounting an axle, and a bearing housing. An end cap is arranged on the front face of the axle. The end cap is connected to the axle for co-joint rotation therewith, and the stator is connected to the bearing housing. A friction wheel is arranged on the outer circumferential surface of the end cap, the friction wheel being designed as the rotor of the generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Alexander Seybold, Christoph Marquardt, Rupert Stitzinger
  • Publication number: 20180297615
    Abstract: An intermodal transportation system is provided having interconnected railcars adapted for transporting interconnected freight trailers where the freight trailers remain connected while being transported on the railcars.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventor: Donald D. Banwart