Patents Issued in August 20, 2020
  • Publication number: 20200262430
    Abstract: A vehicle start control method includes: a condition determination step of determining, by a controller, whether or not it is necessary to control an engine torque in addition to a slip control of a clutch when a vehicle has started moving; and an engine control step of controlling, by the controller, the engine torque according to an engine error revolutions per minute (RPM) which is a difference between a target engine RPM and an actually measured engine RPM, when it is necessary to control the engine torque in addition to the slip control of the clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2019
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventors: Jin Sung Kim, Hwan Hur, Sung Hyun Cho
  • Publication number: 20200262431
    Abstract: A method for operating a vehicle having a vehicle drive train (1) and a vehicle brake (7) downshifting an automatic transmission (3) in a coasting condition, during which at least one friction-locking shift element is to be disengaged and one form-fit shift element is to be engaged. An output torque present at a driven end (4) is at least partially supported at a drive motor (2) at the point in time of a demand for the coasting downshift. The drive motor (2) is actuated before the implementation of the coasting downshift in order to reduce the portion of the output torque which is supportable at the drive motor (2), and a portion of the output torque is supported in the area of the vehicle brake (7) by an appropriate actuation of the vehicle brake (7).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventors: Philipp Fehr, Johannes Brockmann, Peter Schiele
  • Publication number: 20200262432
    Abstract: A vehicle control method for controlling a vehicle in which a sailing control for traveling under inertia is executed when a vehicle is traveling. Each time the sailing control is executed, a history of sailing control is stored as history information classified according to situations in which sailing control was canceled. Also, a current travel situation is specified, history information corresponding to a current travel situation is specified from the stored history information, and whether to allow or disallow sailing control is determined based on the specified history information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2017
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventors: Yusuke NAKANE, Takeshi HIRATA, Takanobu SAWADA
  • Publication number: 20200262433
    Abstract: Disclosed are a vehicle control unit (VCU) and an operation method thereof that calculate a speed variation of a vehicle based on input information, predict an average speed of the vehicle based on the calculated speed variation, generate a first speed profile based on the predicted average speed, and generate a second speed profile by applying speed noise information to the first speed profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2020
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Applicants: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., North Carolina State University
    Inventors: Daebong JUNG, Mo-Yuen CHOW, Habiballah Rahimi EICHI, Jinyong JEON
  • Publication number: 20200262434
    Abstract: Provided is a control apparatus for a vehicle, the control apparatus being configured to determine a road surface ? state of a road in front of the vehicle based on an image of a front region of the vehicle, and change a magnitude of an amount of reduction in a braking force per unit time in accordance with the determined road surface ? state in braking force cancel control executed after hill-hold control
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ryochi Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20200262435
    Abstract: A vehicle control device is equipped with a remaining energy amount determination unit that determines a remaining energy amount of a host vehicle, and a lane change control unit that controls a lane change on the basis of the remaining energy amount. In the case that the remaining energy amount is less than a threshold value, the lane change control unit permits a first lane change, which is a lane change into a first lane located on one side of a host vehicle lane, and restricts a second lane change, which is a lane change into a second lane located on another side of the host vehicle lane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2020
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventor: Kanta TSUJI
  • Publication number: 20200262436
    Abstract: A method, device and terminal apparatus for invoking an automatic driving reference line are provided. The method includes: acquiring lane information of a current lane where a vehicle is located; calculating an automatic driving reference line of the current lane according to the lane information of the current lane; invoking lane information of a switching lane according to a topological relation between the current lane and the switching lane; and calculating an automatic driving reference line of the switching lane according to the automatic driving reference line of the current lane and the lane information of the switching lane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2020
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventors: Zhenguang Zhu, Hongye Li, Xiaoxin Fu, Zhiyuan Chen
  • Publication number: 20200262437
    Abstract: A vehicle control device includes: a transmission control unit that can select a restricted mode in which the range of a gear ratio of a transmission is restricted and an unrestricted mode in which the range of the gear ratio is not restricted, and controls the gear ratio in accordance with the selected transmission mode; and a lane change control unit that, if the unrestricted mode is selected in a case where a lane change request has been acquired, keeps the unrestricted mode and performs lane change control in which a host vehicle changes lanes, and if the restricted mode is selected in the case where the lane change request has been acquired, selects the unrestricted mode and performs the lane change control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2020
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventors: Kanta TSUJI, Yuta TAKADA
  • Publication number: 20200262438
    Abstract: A method and system for road condition monitoring including receiving roadway data from connected vehicles in response to a third party request. The connected vehicles include sensors for capturing the roadway data. The method and system include determining a roadway condition based on the roadway data and calculating a data price based on the roadway condition and the roadway data. Further, the method and system include controlling access to the roadway data according to the data price.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventors: Xue Bai, Rajeev Chhajer, Brian Mills Nutwell, Jose I. Herrero Zarzosa, Ehsan Moradi-Pari, Kathiravan Natarajan, Abolfazl Hajisami
  • Publication number: 20200262439
    Abstract: A number of illustrative variations may include a method of providing a reliable driving surface friction coefficient estimate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventors: MICHAEL S. WYCIECHOWSKI, SCOTT T. SANFORD, MARIAM S. GEORGE, TEJAS VARUNJIKAR
  • Publication number: 20200262440
    Abstract: A method for operating an assistance system in a motor vehicle detects at least one odor profile using a respective odor sensor. The at least one odor profile is defined by concentrations of at least two odorous substances. The method carries out one or more assistance functions depending on the detected at least one odor profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2018
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventors: Juergen BRUEGL, Matthias FRANZ, Michael HELLMUTH
  • Publication number: 20200262441
    Abstract: A vehicle driving control system has an automatic driving mode that enables traveling without a driver's operation. The vehicle driving control system includes a driver monitor that monitors a driver in a vehicle compartment, and detects a driver state, a driver state determining unit that determines, based on the driver state, whether the driver is in a state capable of driving normally, a retreat mode controller that controls a retreat mode that causes an own vehicle to travel for retreat to a place where the own vehicle can safely stop when it is determined, during traveling under the automatic driving mode, that the driver is not in the state capable of driving normally, and a retreat mode canceler that cancels the retreat mode when it is determined, during the travel for retreat, that the driver has returned to the state capable of driving normally.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventor: Keisuke KUWAHARA
  • Publication number: 20200262442
    Abstract: A state determination device for a driver state of a movable body includes: a behavior acquisition section for behavior information of the movable body; a check section that sets a threshold region where the behavior information relating to a careless driving of the movable body is distributed, the threshold region having two or more stages of a determination region, and checks current behavior information with a set stage of the determination region; a determination section that determines a careless driving when the current behavior information is included in the set stage; a time acquisition section that acquires an elapsed time from a driving start of the movable body; and a change section that changes the set stage to another stage having a higher possibility of determination of the careless driving when a careless time is equal to or less than a predefined threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventors: Takahiro NAITO, Noriko KATO, Katsuyoshi NISHII
  • Publication number: 20200262443
    Abstract: a monitoring apparatus used in a vehicle is provided to communicate with an electronic control apparatus that controls a driving force of the vehicle by executing any one of a plurality of predetermined different controls. The monitoring apparatus receives a vehicle specification from the electronic control apparatus, and determines whether the received vehicle specification is appropriate, to provide a determination result. The monitoring apparatus further sets whether at least one of the predetermined different controls is permitted or not permitted to be executed by the electronic control apparatus in response to the determination result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2020
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventors: Shingo TAKINAI, Yutaka KOYAMA, Yu KIMOTO, Kotaro YASUI
  • Publication number: 20200262444
    Abstract: A method for controlling an autonomous vehicle includes navigating the autonomous vehicle based on a set of rules. The method also includes identifying an abnormality in a current driving situation. The method further includes prompting a passenger of the autonomous vehicle to interact with a driver of a first vehicle in response to identifying the abnormality. The method still further includes controlling the autonomous vehicle to violate one or more rules of the set of rules in response to an indication of a successful interaction with the driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventors: Soonho KONG, Jonathan DECASTRO, Nikos ARECHIGA, Frank PERMENTER
  • Publication number: 20200262445
    Abstract: An agent device includes: a plurality of agent function units, in which each of the agent function units provides a service including a voice response to an occupant of a vehicle in response to an utterance of the occupant; and a manager which, when any of the plurality of agent function units is being activated and the predetermined same operation is performed on the plurality of agent function units by the occupant of the vehicle, causes the agent function unit which is being activated to stop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventors: Toshikatsu Kuramochi, Shinichi Kikuchi, Hiroshi Honda
  • Publication number: 20200262446
    Abstract: A vehicle control device comprises an accelerator (22a) which a driver of a vehicle operates in order to accelerate the vehicle, and a controller configured to execute a limit control for imposing a limitation on a driving force, in such a manner that the driving force is prevented from becoming excessively large, when a predetermined limit condition is satisfied. The controller executes the limit control and a mistaken operation notification, when a mistaken operation state has been occurring. The controller executes a failure notification, when the mistaken operation state has not been occurring at a failure occurrence time point at which a control failure that the controller cannot execute the limit control has occurred. The controller continues executing the mistaken operation notification without executing the failure notification at the failure occurrence time point, if the mistaken operation state has been occurring at the failure occurrence time point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2020
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kan MAYOSHI, Yoshikatsu ODA
  • Publication number: 20200262447
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and server for real-time learning of a travelling strategy of a driverless vehicle are provided. The method includes: recording travelling trajectories of other vehicles on a road, when a first travelling strategy of the driverless vehicle is unable to be generated; when a number of vehicles on a same travelling trajectory is greater than a preset first number threshold, generating a second travelling strategy using the same travelling trajectory; and controlling the driverless vehicle to travel using the second travelling strategy. A situation in which a driverless vehicle is unable to normally generate a travelling strategy can be improved effectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2020
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Applicant: Baidu Online Network Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuchang PAN
  • Publication number: 20200262448
    Abstract: A decision method, device, equipment in a lane changing process and storage medium are provided. The method includes: acquiring a first planned track of a driverless vehicle for travelling to a first lane and a second planned track of the driverless vehicle for travelling to a second lane within a preset time period, in a lane changing process of the driverless vehicle; predicting a predicted track of at least one obstacle within the preset time period according to a travelling state of the obstacle, wherein the obstacle is in a preset range around the driverless vehicle; and determining a travelling motion of the driverless vehicle according to the first planned track, the second planned track and the predicted track of the obstacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventors: Hongye Li, Kuan Zhang, Huaizhu Tang, Dayang Hao
  • Publication number: 20200262449
    Abstract: An alarming method, device, server and system for a dangerous road behavior are provided. The method includes: determining whether a behavior characteristic of at least one obstacle in a detection range of a first driverless vehicle is consistent with the dangerous behavior characteristic determining that the obstacle with the behavior characteristic consistent with the dangerous behavior characteristic is a dangerous obstacle; and sending position information and behavior characteristic of the dangerous obstacle to a server and/or a second driverless vehicle. A dangerous road behavior of an obstacle around a driverless vehicle may be detected, and the dangerous road behavior may be notified to other driverless vehicles such that the other driverless vehicles may take a corresponding measure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2020
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventor: Yuchang Pan
  • Publication number: 20200262450
    Abstract: An interaction method and apparatus between vehicles are provided. The method includes: selecting a target vehicle from vehicles within a sensing range of a main vehicle, based on a driving strategy of the main vehicle; obtaining decision information of the main vehicle associated with status information of the target vehicle from the driving strategy of the main vehicle, according to the status information of the target vehicle; and converting the decision information of the main vehicle into prompt information and sending the prompt information to the target vehicle. Decision information of a main vehicle associated with surrounding target vehicles may be sent to the target vehicles, in order to inform the target vehicles of a driving action that the main vehicle is about to make, so that the target vehicles may be prepared in advance, thereby improving driving safety between vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2020
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventor: Yuchang Pan
  • Publication number: 20200262451
    Abstract: A method and a device for operating an automated vehicle, including: determining a position of the automated vehicle, detecting at least one surroundings feature in the surroundings of the automated vehicle, reading in a planning map depending on the position of the automated vehicle, the planning map being configured for determining a first driving function for operating the automated vehicle, determining a validity of the planning map depending on the position of the automated vehicle depending on the at least one surroundings feature, and operating the automated vehicle depending on the validity of the planning map.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventors: Daniel Zaum, Holger Mielenz, Jan Rohde
  • Publication number: 20200262452
    Abstract: Provided are a vehicle, a vehicle monitoring server, a vehicle monitoring system, and a vehicle monitoring method, that can be suitably used in a configuration whereby the vehicle and the vehicle monitoring server communicate in relation to a travel caution region. A first control device in the vehicle sends an entry notification signal to the vehicle monitoring server prior to entry into a travel caution region, if the travel caution region is included in a target route or a target track. The first control device may also send a passage completed signal to the vehicle monitoring server after passing through the travel caution region. A second control device in the vehicle monitoring server performs an error output if, after receiving an entry notification signal from a specified vehicle, a passage completed signal has not been received by a second prescribed point in time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventors: Masaaki NAGASHIMA, Hideki MATSUNAGA, Takeru GOTO, Toshiaki TAKANO
  • Publication number: 20200262453
    Abstract: A pick-up management device includes an acquirer configured to acquire first information about a situation of movement of a vehicle from a parking area to a stopping area, second information indicating a situation of the stopping area, and third information about occupant candidates who are present in or are approaching the stopping area and a pick-up mode determiner configured to associate one or more occupant candidates or one or more items of luggage with the vehicle on the basis of at least one of the first information, the second information, and the third information and determine a pick-up mode in the stopping area of the vehicle on the basis of at least some of the number of occupant candidates, the number of items or sizes of items of the luggage, and priorities of the occupant candidates included in the third information associated with each vehicle in the stopping area when a predetermined number of vehicles or more are predicted to move to the stopping area within a predetermined period of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2020
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Mimura, Katsuyasu Yamane, Hiroshi Yamanaka, Chie Sugihara, Yuki Motegi, Tsubasa Shibauchi
  • Publication number: 20200262454
    Abstract: A travel control device is configured to make an autonomous driving vehicle travel in such a way that the autonomous driving vehicle arrives at a specified position specified by a user who intends to board the autonomous driving vehicle, when the autonomous driving vehicle has reached a predetermined range from the specified position, transmit an information sending request notifying the user terminal that the autonomous driving vehicle has reached a vicinity of the specified position and requesting sending of position identifying information for identifying a position at which the user intends to board the autonomous driving vehicle to the user terminal via a communication circuit, and when receiving the position identifying information via the communication circuit, change a position of the autonomous driving vehicle, based on the position identifying information in such a way that the autonomous driving vehicle comes close to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2020
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuo UEHARA, Nobuhide KAMATA, Nozomu HATTA, Shunsuke TANIMORI
  • Publication number: 20200262455
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for modifying a railcar to transport containerized proppant. Various examples are provided, including: stripping a rotary gondola railcar, stripping a gondola hopper railcar, installing or modifying a floor on a stripped railcar, installing container braces on a floor of a railcar, installing braces between the side walls of the railcar, installing struts between the side walls of the railcar using the beam of the container as a strut, creating a mold for foam reinforcement of a railcar, installing foam reinforcement in a railcar, and transporting a container of proppant using a modified railcar. Although these examples are described in relation to a coal railcar, they can be modified to use other types of railcars as well. These examples can also be combined together to form a method for modifying a railcar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2019
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventors: Michael MINTZ, Ron WHEATON
  • Publication number: 20200262456
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a track switching apparatus for rail trolleys. It comprises at least one linear track, a curved track connected to the at least one linear track, at least one switching region formed at a connection region of the linear track and the curved track, and at least one switching unit disposed in the at least one switching region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventor: TE-YI CHIU
  • Publication number: 20200262457
    Abstract: The invention relates to a portable device for measuring vertical rail measurements under service to record and report excessive vertical rail movement to prevent a train from derailing. The device may be pivoting with a tilt sensor and light-weight. The device may include a microprocessor, sensors, and a display. The device may be installed on the rail. The device may sense an approaching train, automatically turn on the device, and measure the real-time vertical displacement and the maximum/minimum vertical movement of the rail while the train is operating over the rail at all speeds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventors: Peter M. Bartek, Corey Dash
  • Publication number: 20200262458
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for remotely controlling the status of graphic user interfaces such as monitors, panels, displays, screens and others, used in railway or transportation systems. For achieving a reliable safety level, so that a person can be sure that the information displayed by the graphic interface in real time correspond to the effective situation of the transportation network, there is provided a feedback control loop between an image elaboration-generation block, and a safety block. According to a preferred solution, the communications between the blocks of the control loop are encrypted. With the control method of the present invention, it is possible to achieve a top safety level in the railway networks, even when using commercially available graphic user interfaces, such as COTS terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventors: Luca FLAMINIO, Fausto DEL VILLANO, Michele BOZZAOTRE, Claudio VIVARELLI, Raffaele PELLECCHIA
  • Publication number: 20200262459
    Abstract: Provided are wheeled containers having a handle assembly that is configured for providing support to an assembly of containers when in rest position and for permitting locomoting of the assembly upon demand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Applicant: KETER PLASTIC LTD.
    Inventor: Yaron BRUNNER
  • Publication number: 20200262460
    Abstract: A robot includes a cart sized to receive one or more objects, a moving part coupled to the cart, a handle assembly coupled to the cart, a first sensor coupled to the handle assembly and being configured to sense force applied to the handle assembly, and one or more controllers. Such controllers are configured to: map a magnitude of the force sensed by the first sensor to a speed or to a direction of movement using a pattern of changes in the force that is sensed by the first sensor; and cause the moving part to move the cart according to the speed or to the direction of movement based upon changes in the force sensed by the first sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Sunryang KIM, Jaecheon SA, Joohan KIM, Kangsoo SHIN
  • Publication number: 20200262461
    Abstract: An adjustable all-terrain dolly system (100) having a chassis assembly (110) that includes a frame (120) which has a right-side rail (122), a left-side rail (124), a first-adjustable cross member (126) and a second-adjustable cross member (128), and a first-rolling assembly (160) to include a first-set of inline wheels (164) and a second-rolling assembly to include a second-set of inline wheels (174) and at least one adjustable-locking mechanism (180). The frame of the dolly system defines a load-supporting platform, and the platform has a length which is at least about twice the front-to-rear length of each of the two sets of wheels. Furthermore, each wheel of the dolly system has a peripheral surface which is shaped to engage the underlying surface at a substantially single point to enhance the maneuverability of the dolly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventor: Eddie Lee Turner, JR.
  • Publication number: 20200262462
    Abstract: A transpallet is provided for ground handling of goods stored on a support platform, comprising at least one motorized wheel, an electromechanical parking braking system of the wheel adapted to take on a stop configuration when not energized and a release configuration when energized and an electric power supply assembly adapted to supply electric power to the motorized wheel and to the electromechanical parking braking system. An on-board electronic control unit is arranged for the selective handling of the transpallet movement in a motorized mode of movement, a manual mode of movement or a stop mode, depending on the charge level of the electric power supply assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventor: Alessio LUSCHI
  • Publication number: 20200262463
    Abstract: A stroller handle adaptor having a first handle assembly rotationally coupled to the first end of a shaft having a shaft axis, the first handle assembly further comprising a first cylindrical housing having a first axis with a first handle protruding tangentially therefrom, wherein the first handle rotates about the first axis and the first axis is offset from the shaft axis, a second handle assembly rotationally coupled to the second end of the shaft, the second handle assembly further comprising a second cylindrical housing having a second axis with a second handle protruding tangentially therefrom, wherein the second handle rotates about the second axis and the second axis is offset from the shaft axis, wherein the stroller handles assembly is adapted to couple to an existing stroller handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Applicant: Stroller Arms, LLC
    Inventor: Daniela Villarreal
  • Publication number: 20200262464
    Abstract: The device consists of a base plate in which there are formed rails, in which there is placed the travel on the wheels. The travel is connected with an electric motor fastened also to the base plate, which ensures the movement of the travel. The transfer of the rotational movement of the electric motor into linear movement of the reciprocating to the travel is achieved by thanks to the crank mechanism. One side of the crank is rigidly connected with an electric motor, the other side is fixed to the travel. To the travel there is fixed the wheel of a stroller or crib, using demountable joint (fit). An important part of the device are the upper rails, which prevent from the vertical movement of the travel and thus allow only horizontal movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Applicant: Sapsway S.R.O.
    Inventors: Jiri Salaba, LukĂ¡s Patocka
  • Publication number: 20200262465
    Abstract: A method for fixing a steering support capable of improving efficiency when the steering support is fixed to an instrument panel reinforcement body is provided. The method for fixing the steering support according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes processes of: passing an instrument panel reinforcement body through a first through-hole formed in a steering support; and increasing the pressure inside an area of the instrument panel reinforcement body covered with the steering support, plastically deforming the area of the instrument panel reinforcement body from an inside to an outside, and pressing a circumferential surface of the first through-hole of the steering support by an outer circumferential surface of the area of the instrument panel reinforcement body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koichi HIRAMATSU, Shinya MIZUNO, Nobuyuki NAGAI, Koji OKAMURA
  • Publication number: 20200262466
    Abstract: A vehicle steering column includes a support unit and by which an actuator unit is held in which a steering spindle is mounted to rotate about a longitudinal axis. An adjustment drive is disposed between the support unit and the actuator unit and by which the actuator unit is adjustable. The adjustment drive has a threaded spindle which engages in a spindle nut and has a spindle axis. The spindle nut and the spindle are drivable by a servomotor to rotate in a mutually relative manner. The servomotor has a motor shaft which is coupled to a drive gear which is rotatable about a drive axis and which operatively engages with an output gear which is rotatable about the spindle axis and is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the spindle nut or the threaded spindle. The drive axis and the spindle axis are disposed mutually parallel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Applicants: thyssenkrupp Presta AG, thyssenkrupp AG
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre SPECHT, Sebastian HUBER
  • Publication number: 20200262467
    Abstract: An upper bracket of a steering column apparatus includes a vehicle body-side bracket including side plates, a tube-side bracket including side plates, and a support shaft. The vehicle body-side bracket has first coupling holes in the side plates. The tube-side bracket has second coupling holes in the side plates. The first coupling holes and the second coupling holes are configured such that the vehicle body-side bracket and the tube-side bracket are coupled together by inserting the support shaft through the first coupling holes and the second coupling holes. Each of the second coupling holes is open rearward and is configured such that, when an axial load equal to or greater than a predetermined load is applied to an upper tube, fitting between the second coupling hole and the support shaft is terminated and the tube-side bracket moves forward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Applicant: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seigi MAEDA, Kenta TAKAI, Satoki YOSHIMURA, Yoshinori HAKAMATA
  • Publication number: 20200262468
    Abstract: According to one or more embodiments, a method includes computing, by a steering system, a model rack force value based on a vehicle speed, steering angle, and a road-friction coefficient value. The method further includes determining, by the steering system, a difference between the model rack force value and a load rack force value. The method further includes updating, by the steering system, the road-friction coefficient value using the difference that is determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventors: Mariam S. George, Farhad Bolourchi
  • Publication number: 20200262469
    Abstract: The present invention provides a power steering apparatus capable of improving a noise/vibration characteristic derived from a pitch difference. Assuming that a belt pitch refers to a pitch between a plurality of belt tooth portions, the belt pitch in a first state refers to the belt pitch when the power steering apparatus is in an unloaded state that no electric power is supplied to an electric motor, the belt pitch in a second state refers to the belt pitch on one side pulled by a motor pulley when electric power is supplied to the electric motor, and a first pulley pitch refers to a pitch between a plurality of tooth portions of a first pulley, which is one of the motor pulley and a nut pulley that is a pulley on a smaller diameter side, a power steering apparatus satisfies the belt pitch in the first state<the first pulley pitch, ??(1) and an absolute value of (the first pulley pitch?the belt pitch in the second state)<the first pulley pitch?the belt pitch in the first state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2018
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Applicant: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Osamu YOSHIDA, Tatsuyoshi MARUYAMA
  • Publication number: 20200262470
    Abstract: A turning device includes a turning shaft having a first ball screw groove as one of a left screw and a right screw and a second ball screw groove as the other of the left screw and the right screw and turning wheels to be turned by moving in an axial direction, a first electric motor generating a first driving force, a second electric motor operating independently of the first electric motor and generating a second driving force, a first ball screw nut transmitting the first driving force generated by the first electric motor to the first ball screw groove, a second ball screw nut transmitting the second driving force generated by the second electric motor to the second ball screw groove, and a rotation regulating part regulating relative rotation of the turning shaft around an axis with respect to a housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Applicant: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshio KONDO, Fumio KISHIDA, Toshiaki OGATA, Keishi NAKAMURA, Hirohide SUZUKI
  • Publication number: 20200262471
    Abstract: An electromechanical power steering system may include an electric motor with a motor shaft that drives a shaft that meshes with a helical gearwheel. The shaft may be disposed in a gear housing, and a first end of the shaft may be mounted in a bearing arrangement such that the shaft is rotatable about an axis of rotation. A second end of the shaft may be mounted in a floating bearing in the gear housing. The floating bearing may be enclosed by a compensation device having an inner ring that on two radially opposite sides includes a respective nose formed from an elastomer. The compensation device may also include an outer ring that encloses the inner ring circumferentially. The outer ring may have lugs for receiving the noses. In an unloaded state, a gap may exist between the inner ring and the outer ring outside a region of the noses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Applicants: hyssenkrupp Presta AG, thyssenkrupp AG
    Inventor: Krisztian RATH
  • Publication number: 20200262472
    Abstract: A steering system includes an electric motor drivably coupled to a steering column, and a computer communicatively coupled to the electric motor. The computer is programmed to isolate a nibble signal in data representing a torque of the steering column, and instruct the electric motor to output a motor torque based on the nibble signal shifted by a phase shift, the phase shift based on a vehicle-wheel frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: JOSEPH M. RAAD, DARREL ALAN RECKER, JAN BREMKENS, DANIEL SLAVIN
  • Publication number: 20200262473
    Abstract: The invention relates to a steer-by-wire steering system for a vehicle, comprising a steering wheel unit, a wheel unit, and a communication link between the steering wheel unit and the wheel unit, wherein the steering wheel unit has a steering wheel angle sensor for capturing a steering wheel angle of a steering wheel, a steering wheel actuator for setting a steering wheel target torque on the steering wheel, and a steering wheel controller for actuating the steering wheel actuator, and wherein the wheel unit has a steering sensor for capturing at least one actual steering value, at least one wheel actuator for setting a target steering value, and a wheel controller for actuating the wheel actuator, wherein the wheel controller is furthermore designed to calculate a virtual torsion rod torque based on the target steering value and the actual steering value, and to actuate the wheel actuator based on the calculated virtual torsion rod torque and to transfer the calculated virtual torsion rod torque to the stee
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Applicant: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Christopher Kreis, Tobias RĂ¼ger
  • Publication number: 20200262474
    Abstract: According to one or more embodiments, a method includes computing, by a steering system, a model rack force value based on a vehicle speed, steering angle, and a road-friction coefficient value. The method further includes determining, by the steering system, a difference between the model rack force value and a load rack force value. The method further includes updating, by the steering system, the road-friction coefficient value using the difference that is determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventors: Tejas M. Varunjikar, Mariam S. George
  • Publication number: 20200262475
    Abstract: An electronic control unit (ECU) may receive, from an autonomous vehicle controller, an instruction to set a hydraulic steering actuator, of a vehicle, to a particular machine steering angle setting. The ECU may provide, to a steering controller torque device, a current to set a steering controller, of the vehicle, to a particular steering controller angle that corresponds to the particular machine steering angle setting. The ECU may provide, to a hydraulic control system, a current to set the hydraulic steering actuator to the particular machine steering angle setting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2019
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Wendell Dean STAHL, Jeremy T. Peterson
  • Publication number: 20200262476
    Abstract: A steerable cart or trailer is towed by another vehicle. A reverse linkage made up of arms that crisscross one another extends between the tow vehicle and the steerable trailer. The linkage arms are parallel a distance from the tow vehicle before crisscrossing with one another towards the trailer. The linkage arms are rotatable at each end. This allows the arms to rotate in a manner in which the trailer will more closely follow the path of the tow vehicle, especially when the tow vehicle is in the process of turning. The trailer will follow in a manner that reduces compaction and provides a simpler overall operation of equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventor: Lance Glendenning
  • Publication number: 20200262477
    Abstract: A shock damper is disposed between a vehicle body side and a wheel side. A suspension control device calculates a damping force of the shock damper on the basis of vehicle height information and controls the damping force. A steering system includes an electric motor and a steering control device that controls the electric motor, and assists steering effort of the driver through the electric motor. The suspension control device calculates the vibration generated in a steering on the basis of a detected value of a vehicle height sensor and creates a signal for generating steering torque that reduces the generated vibration. The suspension control device outputs the created signal to the steering control device. Steering torque for cancelling steering vibration is accordingly outputted from the electric motor of the steering system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2018
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventors: Ryusuke HIRAO, Nobuyuki ICHIMARU, Kentaro KASUYA
  • Publication number: 20200262478
    Abstract: A vehicle control system includes: a turning device that turns a wheel of a vehicle; a steering sensor that detects a driver's steering operation; and a control device configured to execute automated turning control that controls the turning device to automatically turn the wheel, independently of the driver's steering operation. A modification desire degree represents a degree to which the driver's steering operation modifies vehicle travel caused by the automated turning control. During execution of the automated turning control, the control device calculates the modification desire degree based on a result of detection by the steering sensor. When the modification desire degree exceeds a threshold, the control device executes system suppression processing without terminating the automated turning control. In the system suppression processing, the control device weakens the automated turning control as compared to a case where the modification desire degree is equal to or lower than the threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masaya SATO, Yoji Kunihiro, Yoshinori Watanabe, Shunsuke Tanimori, Hisaya Akatsuka
  • Publication number: 20200262479
    Abstract: A parking assistance device includes an imager that captures an image of a surrounding of a vehicle, and a display that displays a guidance image for guiding the vehicle from a parking start position to a target parking position and displays a moving area in which the vehicle can move during a parking operation. An area and dimension of the moving area displayed on the display changes based on a change in a steering angle of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2020
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Applicant: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hirotaka KAMIYAMA