Abstract: A method for braking a vehicle includes at least reducing a hydraulic brake pressure in at least one wheel brake device disposed on a vehicle axle in response to an at least partial failure of a brake boosting of a hydraulic brake with at least one first brake circuit and at least one second brake circuit. The method further includes operating an electric brake motor of an electromechanical braking device to produce a braking force on the at least one wheel brake device.

Abstract: A braking control system for a trailer includes a braking system on a semi-trailer with the brake application handle located at the inside rear of the trailer. The handle has a locking member so that personnel loading the trailer are able to apply and lock the brakes on the trailer, and only the person(s) holding the key are able to release the brakes. The system prevents the trailer from moving away from the dock plate and having the dock plate fall through the space between the moved trailer and the dock, injuring personnel and/or damaging equipment.

Abstract: A parking brake for a vehicle includes an electric brake motor, a transmission, and a brake piston. The transmission transfers a drive movement of the motor to the brake piston. The transmission has a transmission efficiency that steadily increases as a temperature in the transmission rises.

Abstract: In the case of a method for performing a function check on an electromechanical brake device having at least one electric brake motor, the motor current is measured at the brake motor and compared with a calculated motor current, wherein an error signal is generated in the event of an inadmissibly high deviation.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a work vehicle includes: a traveling vehicle body; an engine supported by the traveling vehicle body; a power transmission device which transmits power of the engine to a wheel, and has a clutch member which is supported to be movable between a transmission position and a block position; a braking device which brakes the wheel; a brake control unit which allows the clutch member to move to the block position and the braking device to operate in a case where the traveling vehicle body is braked; a brake determination unit which determine whether the traveling vehicle body is braked in a case where the braking device is operated; and an engine control unit which stops the engine in a case where the traveling vehicle body is not braked on the basis of a determination result of the brake determination unit.

Abstract: A driver is prevented from carrying out hands-free driving while lane keeping assist control is being carried out, thereby appropriately determining an abnormal state of the driver. When a steering wheel no-operation state continues for a first period or more, a driving support ECU sets a control mode of LKA to a “weaker mode”, thereby decreasing a control amount of the LKA. As a result, an own vehicle swerves within a travel lane, and the driver neglecting the steering wheel operation can be prompted to operate the steering wheel. Further, when the no-driving operation state continues for a second period or more, the driving support ECU establishes determination that the driver is in an abnormal state, returns the LKA to a “normal mode”, and decelerates and stops the own vehicle.

Abstract: A control device for hybrid vehicle is configured to transmit a torque generated by an engine and a motor to a power transmission member according to a driving power request from a driver. The control device for hybrid vehicle includes motor control means and transmission capacity control means. The motor control means is configured to control an output from the motor according to the driving power request. The transmission capacity control means is configured to control a transmission capacity of the power transmission member. The transmission capacity control means is configured to increase the transmission capacity in consideration of a variation of the output from the motor when the output from the motor is increased based on the driving power request.

Abstract: A controller is provided so as to control, when an electric vehicle (EV) mode is selected, a belt clamping pressure on the basis of discharged oil from a main oil pump which is driven by a motor generator. The controller is provided for a hybrid vehicle and is configured to perform control such that when the vehicle is stopped in the EV mode and a creep cut condition which does not require creep torque from the motor generator is met, a first motor idling rotation speed is set as a motor rotation speed. When the vehicle is stopped in the EV mode and a standby learning control completes learning of a zero-point oil pressure command value, the controller reduces a rotation speed of the motor generator to a second motor idling rotation speed which is lower than the first motor idling rotation speed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a hybrid powertrain that includes an engine and a motor/generator are described. The systems and methods provide a way of estimating driveline disconnect clutch torque so that driveline torque disturbances may be reduced. In one example, driveline disconnect clutch torque capacity and engine torque may be a basis for estimating driveline disconnect clutch torque.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle may include an engine, a first rotating electric machine, an output shaft, a planetary gear mechanism, a second rotating electric machine, a battery, an inverter and an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit may be programmed to perform inverterless traveling control. The inverterless traveling control may be control for causing the hybrid vehicle to travel by placing the inverter in a gate cut-off state, and driving the engine. The electronic control unit also may be programmed to interrupt current flowing between the first rotating electric machine and the battery when a shift range other than a forward range is selected, during the inverterless traveling control.

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

Abstract: A speed control system for a vehicle that: automatically causes the vehicle to operate in accordance with a target speed value, receives information relating to turning of the vehicle, receives information relating to a driving condition of the vehicle, and adjusts automatically the value of the target speed value in dependence on the information.

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.

Abstract: The present radio system transmits an electromagnetic signal to nearby devices requesting the device respond. The radio system also receives responses to the electromagnetic signal from the nearby devices. Based on the radio technology used, the signaling of the transmitted electromagnetic signal may be varied. For example, the transmitted electromagnetic signal may be a Bluetooth, 802.11, or other radio signal. A device that received the signal from the radio unit may transmit a response signal with the same radio technology. However, in some instances, the radio technology used for communication may operate on several radio (e.g., frequency) channels. Both the transmitter and receiver must operate on the same channel at the same time in order to communicate. Thus, it may be desirable to transmit the electromagnetic signal on more than one channel at the same time, in order to increase the chances that a nearby device responds.

Abstract: An architecture for an autonomous vehicle uses a top-down approach to enable fully automated driving. The architecture is modular and compatible with hardware from different manufacturers. Each modular component can be tailored for individual cars, which have different vehicle control subsystems and different sensor subsystems.

Abstract: A host vehicle may include: motor(s), brakes, sensors, processor(s) configured to: (a) predict a target path of a target vehicle based on lane boundaries of a virtual map; (b) compare the target path to a predicted host path of the host vehicle; (c) apply the brakes based on the comparison; (d) predict the target path and the host path as shapes, each having a two-dimensional surface area; (e) determine whether the shapes intersect, and based on the determination, (f) calculate a first timespan where the target vehicle reaches the intersection, and (g) a second timespan where the host vehicle reaches the intersection.

Abstract: A blind zone mitigation system of a host vehicle comprises i) at least one sensor that determines position information of a target vehicle with respect to the host vehicle, and ii) an active lane positioning module. The active lane positioning module receives the position information from the at least one sensor and determines a blind zone of the target vehicle. The active lane positioning module, in an active lane position mode, accelerates the host vehicle to move the host vehicle out of the blind zone of the target vehicle or decelerates the host vehicle to move the host vehicle out of the blind zone of the target vehicle.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to determining whether a vehicle should continue through an intersection. For example, the one or more of the vehicle's computers may identify a time when the traffic signal light will turn from yellow to red. The one or more computers may also estimate a location of a vehicle at the time when the traffic signal light will turn from yellow to red. A starting point of the intersection may be identified. Based on whether the estimated location of the vehicle is at least a threshold distance past the starting point at the time when the traffic signal light will turn from yellow to red, the computers can determine whether the vehicle should continue through the intersection.

Abstract: A method and system that utilizes the energy storage provided by a vehicle's mass in the form of potential and kinetic energy to optimize the fuel consumption. The system of the present invention is composed of an elevation database, a localization mechanism, and a speed optimization mechanism/engine. The optimization engine receives a desired speed range from the operator such as a max speed and min speed input, and a route or elevation profile form the elevation database. Then, utilizing the elevation database, the localization mechanism and a weight estimate the system and method optimizes the current speed to minimize fuel consumption by way of setting and adjusting the cruise control speed. The route and the weight estimate may be provided or predicted by the optimization engine.

Abstract: A blind spot safety system for a subject vehicle. The safety system includes a blind spot monitoring module that detects when a secondary vehicle is operating in a blind spot of the subject vehicle. A vehicle control module controls speed of the subject vehicle. When the blind spot monitoring module detects that the secondary vehicle is operating in the blind spot of the subject vehicle, the blind spot monitoring module instructs the vehicle control module to increase or decrease speed of the subject vehicle to move the subject vehicle relative to the secondary vehicle such that the secondary vehicle is not in the blind spot of the subject vehicle.

Abstract: A method and system for operating an autonomous vehicle. The method includes determining, at an electronic processor, a limit for a forward velocity setpoint of the autonomous vehicle based a range of a forward facing sensor and detecting whether a preceding vehicle is in a field of view of the forward facing sensor. The method includes determining a speed of the preceding vehicle, and when the preceding vehicle is in the field of view of the autonomous vehicle, adjusting the limit based on the speed of the preceding vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle controller applies a braking force to wheels using a hydraulic braking force generating mechanism and sets a vehicle driving torque, which is generated by an engine, to a second torque which is smaller than a first torque in a normal state, when a switch is switched to an ON state in a state in which a vehicle is traveling and an accelerator is turned on. Then vehicle stops, the vehicle controller implements an EPB mechanical operating state using a mechanical parking brake mechanism. When the switch is switched to an OFF state, the vehicle controller maintains the EPB mechanical operating state until an accelerator pedal operating level reaches “0,” and maintains the vehicle driving torque at the second torque. Then the accelerator pedal operating level reaches “0”, the EPB mechanical operating state is released and the vehicle driving torque is returned to the first torque.

Abstract: A system includes a processor. The system includes a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to identify a relative area within a specified distance from a first vehicle and free of another vehicle, identify a second vehicle within a second specified distance of the relative area, transmit the relative area to the second vehicle, and navigate the first vehicle to the relative area within a specified time.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a drivetrain of a vehicle, wherein the drivetrain comprises a multi-clutch transmission. The gear shift of the multi-clutch transmission is adapted to be performed either by power cut shift or by power shift dependent on predetermined vehicle shift conditions. The method includes detecting at least one of a plurality of indications of slippery road conditions and setting a slip risk factor, wherein the slip risk factor is dependent on the indication of slippery road conditions. If the slip risk factor is above a first predetermined threshold value the method further comprises controlling the multi-clutch transmission such that an upcoming gear shift is performed as a power-shift independently of if upcoming shift was determined to be performed as a power-cut shift or as a power shift.

Abstract: The invention provides a road surface condition determining system with improved accuracy. In the system, a plurality of vehicles Wi are used, each equipped with on-board sensors (11, 12) for acquiring vehicular information, which is information on the behavior of the vehicle during travel, a feature value calculating means (13) for calculating a plurality of feature values to be used in estimating the condition of the road surface on which the vehicle is traveling from the vehicular information acquired by the on-board sensors (11, 12), and a transmitter 16 for transmitting the feature values to the outside of the vehicle. A server (20) has a data storage means (22) for accumulating the plurality of feature values from the plurality of vehicles. A road surface condition determining unit (30) determines a road surface condition using the accumulated feature values. And the system determines the road surface condition at the location within a predetermined range within a predetermined space of time.

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.

Abstract: One way to improve fuel efficiency of a vehicle is to detect the vehicle operational shortcomings related to fuel consumption by determining whether fuel used during operation of the vehicle is normal fuel use or wasted fuel use. Considerations of idling, speeding and inappropriate gear shifts are some ways to measure the amount of fuel wasted due to operator shortcomings. Communicating this information to the operator in real-time so adjustments can be made will improve vehicle fuel efficiency. These techniques are applicable to tracking employment of other driving best practices as well.

Abstract: A traction application executing on a vehicle control module receives a traction speed control input to control a traction wheel of the vehicle. Based on the traction speed control input, the traction application determines a first setpoint value of a control attribute related to the traction wheel. A first diagnostic supervisor receives a measured value of the control attribute related to the traction wheel, and the first setpoint value from the traction application. The first diagnostic supervisor comprises a first model of a traction system of the vehicle. Based on the first setpoint value and the first model, the first diagnostic supervisor calculates a first virtual value of the control attribute related to the traction wheel. Based on the first virtual value and the measured value of the control attribute, the first diagnostic supervisor determines a first operating condition of the traction system of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a controller that prompts a user to confirm a willingness to accept a reduced maximum acceleration or speed responsive to user confirmation of a desire to increase an electric drive range by a user selected amount. The controller further operates a propulsion system with the reduced maximum acceleration or speed to increase the electric drive range responsive to user confirmation of the willingness.

Abstract: The invention relates to an automated driving system for a motor vehicle including a visual communication interface intended for informing the driver about the state of said driving system and comprising a luminous indicator capable of emitting luminous signals on the steering wheel of said vehicle; characterized in that said visual communication interface also includes a heads-up display capable of displaying other luminous signals in the field of view of the driver beyond the dashboard of said vehicle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a winch system intended, in particular, for water sports, comprising at least one frame, at least one motor, a brake system, and a main tension cable wound around two spools, each spool being actuated by a motor such that when one of the spools unwinds the main cable, the other spool winds up the cable such as to maintain both the unwinding speed and the tension required for the main cable.

Abstract: An autorack railroad car has decks that are movably reconfigurable between tri-level and bi-level configurations. They are also movable to permit greater vertical clearance room for loading the main deck. The decks may be constrained to a single degree of freedom of motion, namely in the vertical direction, by guides that run along the vertical side posts of the car. The decks may include a passive counterbalance transmission linking the mid-level and upper level decks, such that the decks counterbalance each other when the decks are moved between the various positions. There is a separate, independent drive provided to move the decks. The drive may include scissor jacks. More than one scissor jack may share a common drive axis and shafting arrangement. The drive is operable from a trackside accessible drive distribution point. A secondary lock system is provided to prevent the decks from moving inopportunely.

Abstract: A high-speed rail train bogie frame includes side sills and cross beams located between the side sills, and each of the side sills is provided with an air spring seat configured to install an air spring; wherein each of the cross beams has a seamless steel tube structure; the frame further includes a passage, and a main air chamber of the air spring and a cavity of the cross beam are in communication with each other through the passage; and an anti-roll bar seat configured to install an anti-roll bar is welded below the side sill, and the anti-roll bar seat is in a circular arc transition with a bottom of the side sill, to form a dovetail structure.

Abstract: An enclosure (10) has an inner space in which a rectangular parallelepiped shaped device unit (6) is storable, and has a side surface with an opening (20) for insertion of the device unit (6). A mounting frame (11) is a flat plate facing the opening (20) and disposed in the enclosure (10) on the opposite side of the enclosure (10) with respect in the opening (20). A guide unit includes a slide rail (12) extending from the mounting frame to the opening, and guides the device unit (6) between the opening (20) and the mounting frame (11) in a state in which the guide unit holds the device unit (6) in the Y-axis direction.

Abstract: An uncoupling lever for a railcar has first, second, and third lever members slidably connected to each other for relative motion along their lengths. The second and third lever members are urged apart from one another along their lengths with a biasing member. The uncoupling lever has a handle configured for manual operation of the uncoupling lever, and a hook configured for actuating a lock of a coupler of the railcar. One of the handle and hook is operatively connected to the first lever member and the other of the handle and hook is operatively connected to the third lever member.

Abstract: The invention is an amusement-park device, comprising a rail-guided route course and at least one vehicle guided on the rail, which vehicle has a brake apparatus having at least one, preferably two brake pads fastened to a brake-pad carrier, which brake pads are provided for braking or clamping the vehicle at a point of the rail-guided route course during a braking event. According to the invention, the brake apparatus has a brake carrier and/or the at least two brake pads can be pivoted in relation to the stationary bike carrier. The vehicle equipped with such a brake apparatus can follow unevenness in the rail-guided route course in a simple manner, resulting in reliable braking behavior.

Abstract: This application relates to methods and apparatus for the detection of anomalies in the wheelsets of rail vehicles, for instance for detection of defects such as wheel flats (303) of a wheel (301). The method using a distributed acoustic sensor (106) having a sensing optical fiber (104) deployed along at least part of a rail track (201) as a train (202) moves along that part of the track. The distributed acoustic sensor detects acoustic signals from a plurality of longitudinal sensing portions of the sensing optical fiber. A processor 108 analyzes the acoustic signals to determine the train speed v. Having determined the train speed the processor also analyzes the acoustic signals for a characteristic acoustic signal so as to detect an anomaly in a wheelset where the characteristic acoustic signal is based on the determined train speed.

Abstract: A train wireless system includes a train detecting apparatus on the ground and a controller on a train. The detecting apparatus includes a detector and a calculator. The detector detects that the train is on rails in a block. The calculator measures an on-rail time during which the detector detects the train in the block, and calculates an on-rail detecting time during which the train has been on the rails in the block. The controller includes a distance measurer, a time measurer, a recorder, and a train-length calculator. The distance measurer measures a travelling distance of the train from a beginning of the block, the time measurer measures an elapsed time since the distance measurer starts the measurement, the recorder records the elapsed time and the travelling distance, and the train-length calculator searches the recorder based on the detecting time, and calculates the train length using a selected travelling distance.

Abstract: In the train data transmission system for a train including a plurality of cars, a front car of the train includes: a front car control device that is a central control device configured to send and receive data to and from a control device of a train information management device installed in a following car; an on-board instrument configured to send state information to the front car control device, and receive a control command from the front car control device; and a display device configured to request data from the front car control device using a transmission data format, and receive the data from the front car control device in accordance with the transmission data format. An address is assigned only to data of the front car in the transmission data format, and the display device allocates data of the following car in sequence.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a linear induction motor (LIM) installed in a curved portion of a track, a ride vehicle disposed upon the track, one or more reaction plates coupled to a side of the ride vehicle facing the track via a plurality of actuators, one or more sensors configured to monitor an air gap between the one or more reaction plates and the LIM, and a processor configured to determine which of the plurality of actuators to actuate and a desired performance of each of the plurality of actuators based on data received from the one or more sensors to maintain the air gap at a desired level throughout traversal of the curve by the ride vehicle.

Abstract: A mobile platform comprising: (a) one or more platforms to support one or more cartridges, (b) one or more compartments within the one or more platforms, (c) one or more vertical supports connected to the one or more platforms, (d) a plurality of wheels connected to a bottom of the one or more platforms, and (e) one or more recesses located in the one or more platforms to receive one or more support accessories, wherein the one or more compartments are shaped to receive the one or more cartridges so that the one or more cartridges are secured to the one or more platforms during movement.

Abstract: A disc golf bag cart which includes a front wheel, two rear wheels, and a cart frame. The front wheel and the rear wheel are provided at the bottom portion of the cart frame. The top portion of the cart frame includes an upper rotatable bag stabilizer, the middle portion of the cart frame includes a middle bag stabilizer, and the bottom portion of the cart frame includes a lower tightenable bag stabilizer. The disc golf bag carrying the disc golf can be secured onto the cart through the mechanisms of the upper rotatable bag stabilizer, the middle bag stabilizer, and the lower tightenable bag stabilizer. Comparing to conventional trolley cart, the disc golf bag cart of the present invention is capable of fitting disc golf bags with different shapes and sizes.

Abstract: A lift-enabled motorized wheel assembly and material handling cart. A drive wheel is supported on an axel between a fixed leg and a floating leg. The axel passes through the fixed leg without interference, but is captured in the floating leg by a self-aligning bearing. The axle is driven by a drive motor that is bolted to the fixed leg through a right-angle gearbox. A vertical suspension unit provides compliance for drive wheel traction. A lifter sub-assembly alternately raises and lowers the drive wheel into and out of contact with the ground. The lift-enabled motorized wheel assembly is attached to the bottom of a cart frame, along with a plurality of caster wheels. The cart includes a tow-bar that is moveable between raised and lowered positions. When the tow-bar is lowered condition for towing, the drive wheel automatically lifts out of contact with the ground.

Abstract: A set of two two-wheeled dollies, each of which has a cradle, preferably V-shaped, is configured to support a length of pipe or other elongated construction material. The dolly set consists of a steerable forward dolly, having a steering handle, and a non-steerable rear dolly. The two dollies are deployed in tandem, with the forward dolly supporting the front end of the load, and the rear dolly supporting the load's back end. By turning the handle bar of the forward dolly in a selected direction and applying a force in that direction, the tandem paired dolly set moves the elongated load in the selected direction.

Abstract: A pair of dollies for storing and transporting scaffold frames is disclosed. Each dolly is made up of two identical dolly members containing a top plate, bottom plate, two side plates and a front and back plate. Communicating holes are inserted along the length of the top and bottom plates. The side plates of each dolly member has semi-circular cut outs on the top edges which correspond with the holes in the top and bottom plates. The end holes at the front and back of each dolly member have tubes permanently inserted to receive a typical scaffold 8 inch swivel caster wheel with brake. Scaffold frame legs are inserted into the remaining holes in the top and bottom plates of the dollies. The bottom cross member of each scaffold frame sits on the semi-circular cut outs on the top edges of the side plates. This device can be used for storage or transportation of scaffold frames.

Abstract: A twice-foldable stroller including a frame main body which is configured to have right and left front-angle frames to support front wheels and a horizontal frame connected at a lower part between the right and left front-angle frames, right and left rear-angle frames to support rear wheels and connecting frames connected between the right and left rear-angle frames and the right and left front-angle frames, and vertical frames connected to the right and left connecting frames; seat frames; backrest frames; support frames; extension frames; canopy frames rotatably connected to the extension frames; and handles, each connected to the extension frames, wherein right and left central portions are rotatably connected to each other.

Abstract: A vehicle component includes a first volume of phase change material and a second volume of phase change material spaced apart from the first volume of phase change material. The first volume of phase change material contains a greater mass of phase change material than the second volume of phase change material. The component also includes a thermally-conductive structure in direct contact with both the first volume of phase change material and the second volume of phase change material, so as to facilitate heat transfer between the first volume of phase change material and the second volume of phase change material.

Abstract: An energy absorption module subassembly for a steering column assembly comprising; an energy absorption device; and a retainer assembled with the energy absorption device configured for i) installation into at least a portion of a column housing of the steering column assembly at a first location; ii) supportively carrying the energy absorption device at least partially within the retainer; and enabling the retainer to at least partially deform in response to a load occasioned during an impact collapse stroke of an inner column tube of the steering column assembly that forces the retainer to translate in a forward direction to a second location that is forward in a vehicle relative to the first location.

Abstract: A manual steering torque input is measured. A manual steering mode of a vehicle is actuated when the manual steering torque input is below a first torque threshold and above a second torque threshold for longer than a time threshold that is based on a vehicle speed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electric power steering apparatus including a power transmission belt. The power transmission belt includes: an engagement part provided inside the power transmission belt where the power transmission belt is engaged with a motor pulley and a nut pulley; and a vibration reduction part provided outside the power transmission belt opposite to the engagement part. The engagement part is made of an elastic material, and the vibration reduction part is made of an elastic material that is less rigid than the engagement part. With this configuration, even if vibration and noise are generated from a motor, between the motor and a pulley, and between a belt and the pulley in the process of transmitting a torque of the motor, the vibration and the noise are reduced and prevented from being transferred to a peripheral component.