With Means For Detecting Wheel Slip During Vehicle Acceleration And Controlling It By Reducing Application Of Power To Wheel Patents (Class 180/197)
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Patent number: 7455143Abstract: A vehicle drive unit, for quickly recovering a grip even if a wheel slips, in which in a slip state or at a time when the slip state is going to be generated, by pulsating a torque applied to the wheel, an angular velocity W of the wheel is changed so as to change the slip ratio S close to a slip ratio at which a friction coefficient becomes maximum, and thus, an average of a friction coefficient ? is enlarged and an average of a vehicle driving force F generated by a wheel is enlarged. Since the vehicle driving force is enlarged, the vehicle is accelerated and is easily gripped. Further, in a grip state or at a time of traveling at a high velocity, a vibration and an undesired sound are suppressed by doing away with the torque pulsation or making the fluctuation band of the torque pulsation small.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2006Date of Patent: November 25, 2008Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Shinya Imura, Takehiko Kowatari, Tatsuyuki Yamamoto, Masaru Ito
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Patent number: 7451847Abstract: In response to detection of a slip occurring on left and right front wheels (62a, 62b) caused by spin of one of the left and right front wheels (62a, 62b), the control technique of the invention restricts a torque output from a motor (22)to a drive shaft (28), while activating a hydraulic brake (54a) or (54b) corresponding to the spinning wheel to output a brake torque, so as to distribute the output torque of the motor (22) practically equally into the left and right front wheels (62a, 62b). This arrangement desirably improves the starting performance and the accelerating performance of a vehicle with the left and right front wheels (62a, 62b) running on the road surface of different frictional coefficients.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2004Date of Patent: November 18, 2008Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Akira Hommi
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Patent number: 7452306Abstract: A drive system for a work machine is disclosed. The drive system has at least one driven traction device and a transmission operatively connected to the at least one driven traction device. The transmission is configured to drive the at least one driven traction device. The drive system further has a controller configured to determine a ground tractive capacity associated with the at least one driven traction device and to limit an amount of torque transmitted from the transmission to the at least one driven traction device when the amount of torque to be transmitted will exceed the ground tractive capacity.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2005Date of Patent: November 18, 2008Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Kent A. Casey
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Patent number: 7451043Abstract: A method for controlling driving on a hill of an all-wheel drive vehicle, wherein vehicle acceleration is determined and the gravitational acceleration is measured. To improve the accuracy of the determination of the vehicle reference speed in all-wheel drive vehicles, the method comprises the following steps: determining the acceleration at the secondary axle (Tc4wdHaAcc) from one or both of the two wheel speeds, determining the deviation (Slope) between the acceleration at the secondary axle (Tc4wdHaAcc) and the measured acceleration (LoSenAcc), filtering the determined deviation (SlopFilt) with a time constant (T1Slope), comparing the deviation (Slope) with the filtered deviation (SlopFilt), determining driving situations representing the conditions ‘traction slip control is active’ or ‘traction slip control is not active’, and determining the slope in dependence on the comparison result and the driving situation.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2003Date of Patent: November 11, 2008Inventors: Gerold Schneider, Roland Caspary, Karel Stastny
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Patent number: 7445066Abstract: When a computed torque command value Tr* of a ring gear shaft as a drive shaft exceeds a maximum torque Tmax, skid occurring state control (step S118) triggered by detection of the occurrence of a skid calculates a torque restriction rate KT (=Tmax/Tr*) and restricts the torque output to the ring gear shaft to a maximum torque Tmax. In a next cycle of a drive control routine, a power demand Pr, which is calculated from inputs of accelerator pedal position AP and vehicle speed V at step S105, is limited to the product of the power demand Pr and a power restriction rate KP (=KT) at step S107. The control with the limited power demand Pr desirably prevents a large engine noise beyond the driver's expectation based on the vehicle driving state.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2003Date of Patent: November 4, 2008Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Akira Hommi, Kiyotaka Hamajima, Mitsuhiro Nada
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Patent number: 7445080Abstract: A variable steering rack system in one embodiment includes a pair of stop rings and a stopper moveable between the rings. The stopper may be rotatable in one embodiment during translational movement between the rings by a motor. Preferably, the stopper may stop due to a frictional engagement between the stopper and the stop rings. Noise may be reduced, and because the motor may rotate at a high speed, motor performance may not be degraded under low temperature circumstances.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2005Date of Patent: November 4, 2008Assignee: Kia Motors CorporationInventor: Sang Woock Ryu
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Publication number: 20080264709Abstract: The present invention relates to a truck, in particular to a bulk goods dump truck of the so-called large dump truck type, having a chassis with wheels of which a plurality of wheels each have a single wheel drive and having a control device for the control of the speed and/or of the torque of the single wheel drives.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2008Publication date: October 30, 2008Inventors: Oliver Fenker, Juergen Resch
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Publication number: 20080257629Abstract: A method for controlling rotation speed of at least one rotary element in the driveline of a vehicle is provided. At least one operating parameter is detected repeatedly, which operating parameter corresponds to an actual value of a torque in the driveline, which is delivered to the rotary element. A desired value of a torque to the rotary element is determined on the basis of friction against the ground of at least one of the ground engagement elements of the vehicle, which ground engagement element is driven via the rotary element. The rotation speed of the rotary element is controlled so that the actual value moves toward the desired value.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2006Publication date: October 23, 2008Applicant: VOLVO CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT ABInventor: Karl Erik Olsson
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Publication number: 20080245591Abstract: An anti spinning device for a powered vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes at least one driveline, the driveline including a power source and at least one rotatable element, which power source is connected to and arranged to transmit power to the at least one rotatable element. The anti spinning device includes an arrangement for detecting the fulfilment of a preset condition and an arrangement for interrupting the power transmission to the individual rotatable element when the preset condition is fulfilled. A method for controlling an anti spinning device, and a vehicle and a work vehicle such an anti spinning device, are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2005Publication date: October 9, 2008Applicant: VOLVO CE HOLDING SWEDEN ABInventor: Joakim Sjogren
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Patent number: 7426427Abstract: A system for controlling and/or regulating an electric machine, particularly a crankshaft starter generator, of a motor vehicle is provided. The system has prioritization devices by which different priorities can be assigned to demands on the electric machine. Coordinating devices are provided for coordinating the prioritized demands. When several demands occur isochronously, the demand with the higher priority is, in each case, treated in a higher-ranking manner.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2007Date of Patent: September 16, 2008Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventors: Xavier Palandre, Merten Jung
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Patent number: 7424359Abstract: A method for controlling a drive system in a motor vehicle having at least one electronic control device, which detects the accelerator pedal position as an input signal and therefrom, corresponding to a basic characteristic curve, determines a wheel torque desired by the driver, the control device receives information concerning the presence of wheel slip as another input signal and, when wheel slip is present, stores a limit torque. For an accelerator pedal position which is greater than the accelerator pedal position at which the wheel slip has occurred, the basic characteristic curve is changed in that the desired wheel torque is limited to the limit torque.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2007Date of Patent: September 9, 2008Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventors: Emanuel Fuchs, Hubert Schumacher
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Patent number: 7424326Abstract: A method and a computer program for modeling an interfering pulse in a vehicle electric system are described. Previous approaches for synthesizing such interfering pulses have proven to be insufficiently realistic for the simulation of certain application cases. An interfering pulse is therefore modeled by random determination of the parameters of the parameter set representing the interfering pulse to be modeled on the basis of the density functions belonging to the parameters and by substituting the parameters thus obtained into a predetermined mathematical function. The interfering pulse modeled in this way is also a suitable starting point for modeling a pulse pattern, i.e., a random sequence of individually spaced interfering pulses and a pulse interferer scenario, i.e., a random sequence of individually spaced pulse patterns.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2004Date of Patent: September 9, 2008Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Thorsten Enders, Frank Stiegler, Klaus Dostert, Thorsten Huck
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Patent number: 7421328Abstract: A vehicle slip state determination system serves to calculate an estimated vehicle speed VB, an estimated vehicle deceleration in the vehicle speed DVB, and each of wheel speed differences between right front and rear wheels and between left front and rear wheels ?VR, ?VL, respectively. The wheel speed difference ?VR, ?VL are divided into three ranges, that is, range 1, range 2, and range 3 by the speed difference upper and lower limit values JVUP and JVLO, each of which is a linear function value with respect to the estimated vehicle deceleration DVB. In the ranges 1 and 3, the vehicle traveling on the road with the low friction coefficient ? is brought into the slip state where four wheels are slipped. If the wheel speed difference at a predetermined estimated vehicle deceleration deviates from a determination range defined by the upper and lower limit values, the slip state of the vehicle, that is, the condition where the vehicle is traveling on the road with the low friction coefficient ? is determined.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2004Date of Patent: September 2, 2008Assignee: Advics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takashi Watanabe, Yasuhiro Abe, Ken Kudo
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Publication number: 20080195293Abstract: A speed control method of a vehicle including the steps of obtaining a steering angle, a velocity error and a distance error. The velocity and the distance error being determined by mathematical combinations of a GPS position, a required path and speed set points. The steering angle, velocity errors and distance error are applied to fuzzy logic membership functions to produce an output that is applied to a velocity rule base. An output from the velocity rule base is defuzzified to produce a speed signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2007Publication date: August 14, 2008Inventors: William Robert Norris, Bernard Edwin Romig, John Franklin Reid
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Patent number: 7410023Abstract: A system and method is provided for braking a vehicle having multiple wheels. The method includes applying friction braking and powertrain braking to the vehicle. The method includes reducing the powertrain braking by a predetermined amount. The method also includes compensating the friction braking in an amount that is substantially the same as the predetermined amount. The method further includes redistributing the friction braking to the multiple wheels and modulating the friction braking being applied to the multiple wheels, thereby reducing the occurrence of a wheel lockup by the multiple wheels.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2005Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Dale Crombez
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Patent number: 7412319Abstract: System for detecting stability/instability of behavior of a motor vehicle upon occurrence of tire slip or lock. State of the motor vehicle is determined on the basis of an alignment torque (Ta) applied from a road and a side slip angle (?). By taking advantage of such torque/slip-angle characteristic that although the alignment torque is proportional to a side slip angle when the latter is small, the alignment torque becomes smaller as the side slip angle increases, a normal value is determined from a straight line slope and the side slip angle in a region where the latter is small. Unstable behavior of the motor vehicle is determined when deviation of actual measured value from the normal value increases. Further, unstable state is determined when the slope of the alignment torque for the slip angle departs significantly from that of approximate straight line slope.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2005Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiroshi Fujioka, Takanori Matsunaga, Takashi Maeda, Toshinori Matsui, Masahiko Kurishige, Hideyuki Tanaka
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Patent number: 7408452Abstract: In accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention, a wireless sensing system is disclosed, where the system has particular application to sensing the speed of a vehicle wheel, for example. To sense wheel speed, a sensing unit senses changes in magnetic flux and wirelessly relays a signal indicative thereof back to a base station or control unit.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2005Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventor: Peter Knittl
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Publication number: 20080179124Abstract: A system for controlling slip of a machine is disclosed. The system has a power source configured to produce a power output, at least one driven traction device, and a transmission operably connected to transmit the power output from the power source to the at least one driven traction device. The system further has at least one sensor configured to detect an acceleration of the machine and to generate a corresponding signal, and a controller configured to receive the signal and to reduce a magnitude of power or torque transmitted to the at least one driven traction device when the detected acceleration indicates slip of the at least one driven traction device.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2007Publication date: July 31, 2008Inventor: Kenneth L. Stratton
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Patent number: 7406374Abstract: A steering ratio control system of a vehicle includes a variable steering ratio mechanism variably adjusting a steering ratio of a steer angle at left and right steered road wheels to a steering-wheel rotation angle, and a braking/driving force control unit individually controlling braking force and/or driving force of the left and right steered wheels. A steering ratio control unit determines a reference steering ratio based on a vehicle's driving state. The steering ratio control unit calculates a steering-ratio correction value needed for canceling torque steer resulting from a difference in braking force and/or driving force between the left and right steered wheels. A final steering ratio is determined based on both of the reference steering ratio and the steering-ratio correction value to drive the variable steering ratio mechanism responsively to the final steering ratio reflecting the steering-ratio correction value.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2005Date of Patent: July 29, 2008Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hitoshi Ono, Hajime Kosaka
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Patent number: 7400962Abstract: A method for regulating the drive torque following a load change in hybrid vehicles, in which the drive torque is influenced in a load change in that a brake slip at the driven wheel of the hybrid vehicle as a result of the load change is already counteracted in the beginning phase, in such a way that any effect on the lateral stability and thus the stability of the hybrid vehicle during driving is excluded. When brake slip occurs at the driven wheels because of a load change, the drive torque is applied via the electromotor(s) of the hybrid vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2002Date of Patent: July 15, 2008Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventor: Rolf Maier-Landgrebe
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Publication number: 20080164084Abstract: An electric vehicle is provided with motor braking and includes a locking differential that provides positive braking on slippery surfaces so as to prevent relative movement of the first and second output shafts of the differential.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2007Publication date: July 10, 2008Applicant: TEXTRON INC.Inventors: Oliver A. Bell, Warren Clark, Aric Singletary
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Patent number: 7395891Abstract: A four wheel drive powertrain control for an automotive vehicle is disclosed. It includes a torque transfer case that distributes power from an engine-powered transfer case mainshaft to a secondary driving axle through a friction clutch as power is distributed directly from the engine-powered mainshaft to a primary driving axle. The friction clutch capacity is sufficient to mechanically lock the transfer case in a four wheel drive mode. If the clutch torque capacity is exceeded, a control algorithm will strategically ramp down engine torque requests by a powertrain controller to eliminate clutch slip.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2005Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Peter Barrette, John Glab, Joseph Torres, John O'Rear, Brian Hildreth
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Publication number: 20080149408Abstract: A hydraulic arrangement for the activation of two actuators, with a hydraulic pressure supply unit which is assigned jointly to the two actuators. The pressure supply unit is designed to be reversible in its direction of action, so that, depending on the direction of action, in each case only one of the actuators is driven.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2007Publication date: June 26, 2008Inventors: Hans-Peter Nett, Harwin Niessen, Jan Potulski
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Publication number: 20080143502Abstract: The present invention allows for the Performance Automotive Electronic Traction Indicating Device to be mounted in any performance vehicle, in any location within the vehicle or moved to another vehicle with ease. The Performance Automotive Electronic Traction Indicating Device allows for the driver to pre-set the percentage difference of rotation or travel between the driven wheel and the un-driven wheel or driving surface to suit varying conditions. The present invention allows for the driver to calibrate the device easily while on the race track without it being a distraction to the driver. The present invention allows for the Performance Automotive Electronic Traction Indicating Device to store output data for later review. The present invention allows for the Performance Automotive Electronic Traction Indicating Device to transmit data to a data receiving device for real time review of the incoming data.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2006Publication date: June 19, 2008Inventors: Ralph Stanley Borden, Daniel David Caris
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Publication number: 20080128189Abstract: A system for controlling slip of vehicle drive members is disclosed. The system includes a power train including a plurality of drive members and a hydraulic transmission configured to supply torque to at least one of the drive members. A magnitude of the torque is related to fluid flow in the hydraulic transmission. The system further includes a controller configured to control the fluid flow in the hydraulic transmission. The controller is configured to receive a signal indicative of a steering command and a signal indicative of a parameter related to pressure in the hydraulic transmission. The controller is further configured to control slip of the at least one drive member based on the signal indicative of a steering command and the signal indicative of a parameter related to pressure.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2006Publication date: June 5, 2008Inventors: Randall D. Pruitt, Igor Strashny
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Patent number: 7377349Abstract: Under the condition of a large variation Tm in motor torque demand Tm*, the significant torque change may lead to some vibration of a vehicle to temporarily heighten an angular acceleration. The temporary rise of the angular acceleration may cause the angular acceleration to exceed a preset threshold value slip and result in misdetection of the occurrence of a ‘phantom’ skid in an angular acceleration—based skid state determination (step S112). The drive control of the invention accordingly specifies a potential for misdetection of the occurrence of a ‘phantom’ skid when the variation Tm in motor torque demand Tm* exceeds a preset threshold value Tthr at step S108. The drive control thereby does not execute skid occurring state control (step S120) with torque restriction but performs grip state control at step S116.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2003Date of Patent: May 27, 2008Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Akira Hommi, Kiyotaka Hamajima, Mitsuhiro Nada
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Patent number: 7374012Abstract: An operation control system for a small-sized vehicle is capable of reducing an electric power consumption of a battery used for a power steering apparatus. The operation control system includes a main switch configured to turn on/off an engine, and a power switch function configured to turn on/off an electric motor-driven power steering apparatus supplying an assisting steering force to a steering shaft.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2004Date of Patent: May 20, 2008Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Akira Inui, Kazuaki Iwami
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Patent number: 7376503Abstract: There is provided wheel speed detection means for detecting a wheel speed V based on a pulse signal corresponding to a rotational speed of a wheel, driving torque integration means calculates an integral value TINdt of driving torque TIN generated by the engine, and running situation determination means determines a vehicle running situation based on an actual wheel speed V and the integral value TINdt of the driving torque TIN. That is, the running situation determination means appropriately determines the vehicle running situation by comparing the actual wheel speed V which varies according to the vehicle running situation, and the function f (TINdt) even when the actual wheel speed is in the extremely low speed region. The function f (TINdt) is the function of the integral value TINdt of the driving torque TIN, and is also the function of the estimated wheel speed VP that is estimated based on the integral value TINdt of the driving torque TIN.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2004Date of Patent: May 20, 2008Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Toshihiro Suzuki, Mitsuru Ohba
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Patent number: 7363138Abstract: A method of controlling traction in a vehicle having at least one non-driven wheel speed sensor. Actual vehicle acceleration and a wheel speed difference are detected. At least one of the actual vehicle acceleration and the wheel speed difference is compared to at least one of a predetermined vehicle acceleration and a predetermined wheel speed difference to detect vehicle wheel slip. A wheel torque is reduced in response to detected wheel slip. The foregoing method allows traction control to be installed in many types of vehicles, including vehicles without ABS. More than one type of wheel slip detection can be implemented, and various types of wheel slip can be detected.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2003Date of Patent: April 22, 2008Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Herve Scelers, Paul A. Bauerle, Ruobai Zhang, Craig J. Hawkins, Hiep T. Do, Timothy J. Keenan
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Patent number: 7359787Abstract: A stability control apparatus, includes: a grip detector that changes an output based on a grip force applied in a direction hindering a slippage of a wheel, acting on a contact face between the wheel supported by a wheel supporting rolling bearing unit and the road surface, the wheel supporting rolling bearing unit for supporting freely rotatably the wheel to a vehicle body; and a controller that performs a control for keeping a running stability of the vehicle in response to an input of a detection signal of the grip detector.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2004Date of Patent: April 15, 2008Assignee: NSK Ltd.Inventors: Koichiro Ono, Takeshi Takizawa, Tomoyuki Yanagisawa
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Patent number: 7357208Abstract: A control unit of an at least temporarily four wheel-driven motor vehicle is provided. The control unit is arranged such that a displacement path for an actuator that actuates a transmission clutch is assigned to a setpoint clutch torque via a characteristic curve, and when at least one defined operating condition is present, ensures stable operation of the wheels. The control unit specifies a displacement path which according to the characteristic curve results in a not completely locked state of the transmission clutch, and subsequently computes the actual clutch torque from only the drive slip on the front axle, the drive slip on the rear axle, and the total drive torque.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2006Date of Patent: April 15, 2008Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventors: Christian Billig, Thomas Hopper
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Patent number: 7349786Abstract: A vehicle-behavior detecting apparatus including a first-yaw-moment calculating unit, a second-yaw-moment calculating unit, and an indication-value calculating unit. Based on a linear bicycle model, the first-yaw-moment calculating unit calculates a first-yaw-moment during constant-speed turning. The second-yaw-moment calculating unit reads the longitudinal acceleration detected by an acceleration sensor in addition to the parameters read in the first-yaw-moment calculating unit, and calculates a second yaw moment during acceleration or deceleration. The indication-value calculating unit calculates a variation value in the yaw moment showing the vehicle behavior from the difference between the first yaw moment during constant-speed turning and the second yaw moment during accelerated or decelerated turning. The variation in the yaw moment due to the vehicle-load shift during accelerated or decelerated turning is compensated for by the variation value.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2004Date of Patent: March 25, 2008Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Tomohiro Takagi
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Patent number: 7349788Abstract: A system is provided for controlling the inertia of a vehicle's powertrain during sudden braking events. Torque generated by rapid deceleration of the vehicle's drive wheels during braking is prevented from being transmitted through the vehicle's driveline by a clutch which disengages the drive wheels from high effective inertia components in the driveline. The clutch is actuated by a signal produced by any of several sensors on the vehicle which sense a sudden braking event. Driveline speed is adjusted to match drive wheel speed before the clutch is deactivated to reengage driveline with the drive wheels.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2006Date of Patent: March 25, 2008Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLCInventors: Bill Tohler, Michael Tiller, Paul Bowles
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Patent number: 7334655Abstract: A control unit of a control system for an at least temporarily four wheel-driven motor vehicle is arranged such that a displacement path for an actuator that actuates a transmission clutch is assigned to a setpoint clutch torque via a characteristic curve, and the control unit checks whether slip of the transmission clutch occurs when a displacement path is specified that should result in an at least fully locked state of the transmission clutch according to the characteristic curve.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2006Date of Patent: February 26, 2008Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventors: Christian Billig, Thomas Hopper
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Patent number: 7337046Abstract: An apparatus and a method for controlling an automotive vehicle are disclosed, in which a control amount for securing safety of the vehicle and the control amount for achieving a state intended for by the driver of the vehicle are switched in such a manner as to reduce the shock due to the change in the torque generated from the power train, thereby accomplishing both safety and maneuverability at the same time. A first target value is set for controlling at least selected one of the driving torque, the driving force and the acceleration/deceleration rate. A second target value is calculated in accordance with the drive mode intended for by the driver or the driving environment ahead of the vehicle. In the case where a deviation exceeding a predetermined value develops between the first target value and the second target value, the fluctuations of at least one of the driving torque, the driving force and the acceleration/deceleration rate are suppressed.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2007Date of Patent: February 26, 2008Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Toshimichi Minowa, Tatsuya Ochi, Satoru Kuragaki, Mitsuo Kayano, Tokuji Yoshikawa
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Patent number: 7328097Abstract: While a driving torque TD outputted to a driving shaft via an AT from an engine is detected, a road-surface transmitting torque Td_tire is detected based on rotation speeds Vwdr, Vwdl of vehicle driving wheels, a vehicle body speed Vd, and driving torques Tdr, Tdl, all of which are previously detected. The driving torque TD and the road-surface transmitting torque Td_tire are then compared to each other. When TD>Td_tire, the driving torque from an engine is controlled so as to decrease a value of (TD?Td_tire). The vibrations of individual vehicle parts are thereby decreased.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2004Date of Patent: February 5, 2008Assignee: DENSO CorporationInventors: Mamoru Sawada, Toshiki Matsumoto, Tsutomu Tashiro, Mamoru Mabuchi, Takehito Fujii
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Patent number: 7324884Abstract: A method for operating a motor vehicle with a manual transmission, a multi-ratio automatic transmission or a continuously variable transmission, on a road with a low friction coefficient, the engine torque is reduced or, as the case may be, decreased, which leads to a reduction of the wheel drive torque without changing the starting gear ratio.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2005Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Peter Spörl, Oliver Iden
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Patent number: 7322436Abstract: An automatic axle engagement system utilizes wheel speed sensors, engine control, and braking control to provide optimal engagement of a front drive axle to provide all wheel drive under poor driving conditions. The system includes a transfer case that is coupled to a power source and which has output shafts for front and rear drive axles. The engine provides torque to the transfer case via an input shaft. Wheel sensors generate wheel speed signals that are transmitted to a controller, which determined whether or not there is wheel slip. The controller initiates a shift to drivingly engage the front drive axle if there is wheel slippage by controlling one or both of the output torque or axle braking forces to bring rotational speeds of the input shaft and the rear axle output shaft within a predetermined speed range.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2003Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: Meritor Heavy Vehicle Technology, LLCInventors: Richard E. Gady, Stephen A. Federighe
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Patent number: 7314424Abstract: A hybrid-electric powertrain and control method for a vehicle having forward traction wheels and rearward traction wheels in an all-wheel drive configuration. An engine and an electric motor deliver power through delivery paths to the traction wheels. The power delivery paths may have multiple ratio gearing so that more power can be delivered mechanically to improve powertrain performance and to allow the electric motor size to be reduced. The powertrain may include a controller for automatically balancing power distribution to the forward and rearward traction wheels to avoid wheel slip.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2006Date of Patent: January 1, 2008Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Joseph Supina, Shailesh Kozarekar, Stefan P. Pototschnik
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Patent number: 7302333Abstract: Method and arrangement for automated control of a drive train (10) of a land vehicle to be executed when ground conditions exist that impede the initiation or continuation of travel of the vehicle such as being stuck on loose or slippery ground. The automated routine induces a rocking action in the vehicle purposed to aid in freeing the vehicle and permitting desired travel out of the area. As an initial step of the routine, it is determined whether such a ground condition exists. If so, drive power is applied, via a drive train (10) of the vehicle until the drive wheel (26, 30) bogs down or productive and continuous travel is established in the vehicle. A rocking-back action is permitted by a discontinuation of the drive power to the drive wheel (26, 30) of the land vehicle until a predetermined power resumption condition occurs. Reverse power can be optionally applied at this time. Otherwise, drive power is reapplied to the drive wheel (26, 30) for another attempt at forward progress.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2005Date of Patent: November 27, 2007Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar ABInventors: Marcus Steen, Anders Eriksson
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Patent number: 7276014Abstract: A vehicle stability control system includes a controller configured to deactivate a traction control clutch, provide a reverse torque across the traction control clutch, and apply a braking torque according to a vehicle stability control strategy. The reverse torque across the traction control clutch may be provided by reducing an engine torque output, applying a pulse of brake pressure, or other means.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2004Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: NTN CorporationInventors: Shiro Goto, Russell Monahan
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Patent number: 7274985Abstract: A target vehicle speed is switched between a target slip vehicle speed and a target torque vehicle speed on the basis of a result of a determination regarding whether or not a vehicle is insufficiently accelerated. More specifically, if traction control is not performed, the target slip vehicle speed is set as the target vehicle speed. If it is determined that the vehicle is sufficiently accelerated during traction control, a value obtained by subtracting a maximum permissible value from a value set last time as the target vehicle speed is compared with the target slip vehicle speed, and the larger one of them is set as the target vehicle speed this time.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2004Date of Patent: September 25, 2007Assignee: Advics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Junya Nagaya, Toshihisa Kato, Yasuhito Ishida, Tatsuya Yano
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Patent number: 7266437Abstract: A method a operating a traction control system using a traction controller (30) for an automotive vehicle (10) is provided. A slip target is first determined. Then, an operating temperature turning characteristic or slope of the slip curve may, in combination or alone, be used to adjust the slip trigger threshold above the slip target. Traction control mode is entered when the driven wheel speed is above the slip trigger threshold.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2005Date of Patent: September 4, 2007Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Davor Hrovat, Ralph Cunningham, Peter Lazarevski, Eric Tseng, Charles Bannon, Michael Fodor
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Patent number: 7264077Abstract: A drive force control method for a four-wheel drive vehicle including a torque distributing mechanism capable of changing a drive force distribution ratio between front and rear wheels and a drive force distribution ratio between right and left front wheels or between right and left rear wheels. This method includes the steps of increasing the drive force distribution ratio of the rear wheels to the front wheels according to an increase in absolute value of a lateral G signal, and increasing the drive force distribution ratio of a turning outer wheel as one of the right and left front wheels or one of the right and left rear wheels to a turning inner wheel as the other. A lateral G sensor signal is corrected by an estimated lateral G signal calculated according to a steering angle and a vehicle speed to obtain a control lateral G signal, which is used as the lateral G signal.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2005Date of Patent: September 4, 2007Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Atsushi Mori, Yasuji Shibahata
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Patent number: 7264078Abstract: A vehicle includes steerable front wheels, an interaxle differential for transmitting torque from an engine to the front wheels and to rear wheels. The differential includes a controllable clutch operable to control a ratio of front wheel speed to rear wheel speed. A control unit controls the clutch as a function of sensed steering angles and stored information including steering angles and corresponding front to rear wheel speed ratio values. The control unit is automatically calibrated. The control unit periodically obtains steering angle values, periodically obtains front and rear wheel speed values, periodically generates new front to rear wheel speed ratio values, and replaces one of the stored front to rear wheel speed ratio values with one of the new ratio values if the steering angle values indicate that the vehicle has been in a straight ahead travel mode for at least a certain time period.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2005Date of Patent: September 4, 2007Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventor: Reno Antonio Rodeghiero
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Patent number: 7263424Abstract: An apparatus for controlling driving forces supplied to left and right wheels of a vehicle, for effectively inhibiting oversteer and understeer states, includes driving force adjusting device for adjusting driving forces supplied to the left and the right rear wheels, first controlling device for controlling the driving force adjusting device such that a wheel speed difference between the left and the right rear wheels coincides with a target wheel speed difference, and second controlling device for controlling the driving force adjusting device such that a yaw momentum of the vehicle coincides with a target yaw momentum. If the vehicle is in an understeer state, the contribution of the second controlling device is increased relative to that the first controlling device and if the vehicle is in an oversteer state, the contribution of the first controlling device is increased relative to that of the second controlling device.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2005Date of Patent: August 28, 2007Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Sumio Motoyama
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Patent number: 7260458Abstract: In a steering apparatus, in accordance with a grip limit control process (30b?), it is determined whether or not a grip degree ? estimated by a grip degree estimation arithmetically operating process (30a) is less than a predetermined grip degree (??), and in the case that it is determined that an estimated grip degree (?) is less than the predetermined grip degree (??), the process applies such a feeling that a steering operation by a steering wheel suddenly becomes light to a driver, by suddenly increasing an assist quantity by a motor (M), thereby notifying the driver of the matter that the grip degree of a steered wheel is close to a limit. Therefore, it is possible to transmit to the driver a probability that a side slip is generated by further turning the steering wheel 21 in the same direction as the current direction, thereby calling the driver's attention for steering.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2003Date of Patent: August 21, 2007Assignees: Jtekt Corporation, Aisin Seiki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiroaki Kato, Minekazu Momiyama, Shoji Ogawa, Kenji Asano, Yuzou Imoto, Yoshiyuki Yasui, Wataru Tanaka, Eiichi Ono, Yuji Muragishi
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Patent number: 7258185Abstract: Front and rear wheels Tf, Tr of a motor vehicle driven by an engine 10 are connected through a differential control device 15 which is capable of varying the torque to transmit. When the turning radius of a predetermined one wheel or the motor vehicle is equal to or smaller than a predetermined turning radius, the transmission torque of the differential control device is decreased by a control device to prevent the tight-corner braking phenomenon from occurring. When the motor vehicle is stopped momentarily with the transmission torque being lowered, the control device maintains the transmission torque as it is, and the vehicle is then restarted with the transmission torque being lowered. Thus, when the motor vehicle which was stopped momentarily with a large steering angle is then restarted, the tight-corner braking phenomenon can be prevented from occurring from the beginning of the restarting.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2003Date of Patent: August 21, 2007Assignee: JTEKT CorporationInventors: Akihiro Ohno, Tsuyoshi Murakami, Akira Kodama
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Publication number: 20070187158Abstract: A control apparatus for an electric vehicle includes a road surface condition detection portion, a slip determination portion, a torque reduction device, and a voltage control device. The electric vehicle includes a motor that generates drive power for the electric vehicle, and a drive device that drives the motor. The road surface condition detection portion detects the condition of a road surface on which the electric vehicle is driven. The slip determination portion determines whether the electric vehicle is slipping. The torque reduction device reduces the torque of the motor when the slip determination portion determines that the electric vehicle is slipping. The voltage control device controls a voltage input to the drive device to reduce the voltage when the road surface condition detection portion determines that the road surface has a friction coefficient lower than a predetermined value.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2007Publication date: August 16, 2007Inventors: Koichiro Muta, Ippei Nagao
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Patent number: 7237639Abstract: A control device controls a hybrid-four-wheel-driven vehicle wherein one of the front-wheel pair and the rear-wheel pair is an engine-driven-wheel pair which is driven by an engine, and the other pair is an electric-motor-driven-wheel pair which is driven by an electric motor. In the event of slipping of the engine-driven wheels, the system increases the engine output so as to increase the driving force of the electric-motor-driven wheels for increasing the total driving force mad up of the engine-driven-wheel driving force and the electric-motor-driven-wheel driving force, thereby improving acceleration performance, unlike conventional techniques. This provides a control device for suppressing deterioration in acceleration performance of the vehicle in a case of slipping of engine-driven wheels during acceleration.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2006Date of Patent: July 3, 2007Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Takehiko Kowatari, Tatsuyuki Yamamoto