Abstract: Disclosed is an automatic vehicle suspension tuning system. The system has a control module to receive user input, an ECU with a processor and a memory, one or more road condition sensors, and one or more controllable suspension system components. The ECU controls the adjustments of the controllable suspension system component in response to user input to the control module as well as input from the road condition sensors during operation of the vehicle. A method of tuning a controllable suspension system component is also disclosed.

Abstract: A steering system includes an arm, a knuckle, a joint, and a steering sensor. The arm defines a first passage. The knuckle has a knuckle arm defining a second passage. The joint has a ball portion and a shaft portion extending. The ball portion is disposed within the first passage and the shaft portion is disposed within the second passage. The ball portion defines a conical recess that has an opening at an upper end of the ball portion and terminates inside the ball portion with a pocket. The steering sensor has a driveshaft extending along a longitudinal axis into the conical recess. The driveshaft includes a head that engages with the pocket. The ball portion is configured to pivot within the first passage relative to the longitudinal axis and the head. The joint and the driveshaft are configured to rotate together about the longitudinal axis as the knuckle is turned.

Abstract: An adjustable steering stop includes a chassis stop configured to be coupled to a chassis member of a vehicle and a knuckle stop configured to be coupled to a steering knuckle. The chassis stop and the knuckle stop together define a steering limit location where the knuckle stop contacts the chassis stop. The adjustable steering stop further includes an adjustment actuator coupled to one of the chassis stop or the knuckle stop to move the chassis stop or the knuckle stop thereby changing the steering limit location.

Abstract: A transmission system includes a transmission, first and second composite sensors, and a controller. The transmission has a clutch switchable between an engaged state and a disengaged state, a first shaft disposed on an input side of the clutch, and a second shaft disposed on an output side of the clutch. The first and second composite sensors detect rotation speeds and rotation phases of the first and second shafts, respectively. The controller acquires a load torque applied to the transmission. When the clutch is switched from the disengaged state to the engaged state, the controller derives a phase difference between the rotation phase of the first shaft detected by the first composite sensor and the rotation phase of the second shaft detected by the second composite sensor based on the time when the clutch has stopped slipping. The controller acquires the load torque based on the derived phase difference.

Abstract: Provided is a motor-driven power steering system including: a motor driver; and a controller, wherein the controller is configured to: receive a first rotation angle obtained by a steering wheel angle sensor according to steering and a second rotation angle obtained by a motor position sensor, when a steered position of the steering wheel is in an auxiliary steering limit section and a difference value between the first rotation angle and the second rotation angle is different from a predetermined reference value, change a rotation position of the steering wheel angle sensor and a rotation position of the motor position sensor to an initial original position, when changed to the initial original position, receive the first rotation angle and the second rotation angle again, and control the motor driver to perform auxiliary steering based on the first rotation angle and the second rotation angle received again.

Abstract: A steering system includes an arm, a knuckle, a joint, and a steering sensor. The arm defines a first passage. The knuckle has a knuckle arm defining a second passage. The joint has a ball portion and a shaft portion extending. The ball portion is disposed within the first passage and the shaft portion is disposed within the second passage. The ball portion defines a conical recess that has an opening at an upper end of the ball portion and terminates inside the ball portion with a pocket. The steering sensor has a driveshaft extending along a longitudinal axis into the conical recess. The driveshaft includes a head that engages with the pocket. The ball portion is configured to pivot within the first passage relative to the longitudinal axis and the head. The joint and the driveshaft are configured to rotate together about the longitudinal axis as the knuckle is turned.

Abstract: A system for damping control for a vehicle includes a parameter component and a damping adjustment component. The parameter component is configured to determine one or more driving parameters of a vehicle. The one or more driving parameters include a velocity of the vehicle. The damping adjustment component is configured to adjust damping of suspension of the vehicle during driving based on the one or more driving parameters. The damping adjustment component is also configured to adjust damping of suspension at a zero velocity for a threshold time period in response to transitioning from a non-zero velocity to the zero velocity.

Abstract: A transmission includes an input shaft and an output shaft, the input shaft selectively accepting a torque input from a prime mover, and the output shaft selectively providing torque output to a driveline. A controller determines a shaft displacement angle representing an angle value of rotational displacement difference between at least two shafts of the transmission, and performs a transmission operation responsive to the shaft displacement angle.

Abstract: Disclosed is an automatic vehicle suspension tuning system. The system has a control module to receive user input, an ECU with a processor and a memory, one or more road condition sensors, and one or more controllable suspension system components. The ECU controls the adjustments of the controllable suspension system component in response to user input to the control module as well as input from the road condition sensors during operation of the vehicle. A method of tuning a controllable suspension system component is also disclosed.

Abstract: A trailed vehicle comprises a cargo area, a wheeled axle assembly supporting the cargo area, a hitch assembly configured to secure the trailed vehicle to a tow vehicle, and a weight sensing system comprising a weight processing module and a user interface. The weight processing module comprises a processor and non-transitory computer readable storage comprising instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the weight processing module to execute an axle-specific vehicle weight determination, an axle-specific vehicle weight display presented at the user interface, a hitch-specific vehicle weight determination, a hitch-specific vehicle weight display presented at the user interface, a hitch-specific weight percentage determination, a hitch-specific weight percentage display presented at the user interface, a total weight determination, a total weight display presented at the user interface, an available cargo weight determination, and an available cargo weight display presented at the user interface.

Abstract: An alignment tool for a work vehicle includes: an axle housing connecting portion having a housing mating feature configured to mount to a respective mating feature of an axle housing; and a steering knuckle connecting portion coupled with the axle housing connecting portion and having a knuckle mating feature configured to mount to a respective mating feature of a steering knuckle, the steering knuckle connecting portion being coupled to the axle housing connecting portion and angled with respect to the axle housing connecting portion such that the housing mating feature is mountable to the mating feature of the axle housing and the knuckle mating feature is mountable to the mating feature of the steering knuckle only when the steering knuckle is at a fully steered position.

Abstract: A steering wheel arrangement for a motor vehicle has a steering wheel which is coupled in terms of movement to a steerable axle of the motor vehicle via a steering axle. The steering wheel is arranged rotatably on a steering column having a housing body. The housing body has at least one upwardly open recess which is bounded at least by two opposite walls extending transversely with respect to the longitudinal centre axis of the housing body.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method which includes: filtering the torque signal using a low-pass filter of the first order at a variable cut-off frequency which takes on, respectively, a minimum value or a maximum value depending on whether the amplitude of the torque signal is, respectively, lower or higher than a predetermined threshold; then in producing a signal indicating, respectively, a steering wheel release or a steering wheel grip depending on whether the amplitude of the filtered torque signal is, respectively, lower or higher than a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a decrease in air pressure of a tire attached to a vehicle includes a rotation speed detection means for periodically detecting rotation speeds of tires of respective wheels of the vehicle; a rotation wheel speed ratio calculation means for calculating a rotation wheel speed ratio between front wheels and rear wheels of the vehicle; a wheel torque calculation means for calculating a wheel torque of the vehicle; an initialization means for obtaining a relation at a normal internal pressure between the wheel torque and the rotation wheel speed ratio; a comparison means for comparing the rotation wheel speed ratio with the rotation wheel speed ratio at a normal internal pressure obtained from the wheel torque and the relation; and a determination means for correcting the comparison result by a front-to-rear direction acceleration and determining whether there is a tire having a decreased air pressure or not.

Abstract: An automatically adjustable axle stop of an agricultural combine (100) includes a sensor (222, 224) to sense the position of an extendible axle (200) supported on the chassis (214) of the agricultural combine (100) at a pivot coupling (206), the extendable axle (200) being configured to pivot about a longitudinal pivotal axis (208) with respect to the chassis (214), an electronic control unit (400) to read the sensor (222, 224), to calculate a stop position based at least on the sensor signal, and to control an axle oscillation stop (210, 212) in order to limit the range of pivoting of the extendible axle (200) about the pivotal axis (208).

Abstract: The invention provides a method of calibrating a steering system for a vehicle, e.g. an off-highway machinery, to allow automatic steering based on input from a position or tracking system, e.g. based on a Global Positioning System (GPS). At least two records, each comprising a position value and a curvature value are established. The position value represents a position of the steered element, e.g. a position of a steered wheel of the vehicle, and the curvature value could e.g. be expressed as a radius of a curve followed by the vehicle with that position of the steered element. The curvature value is determined by the positioning system during movement of the vehicle. Due to the records, it is easy to calibrate or recalibrate the system and the invention is therefore applicable e.g. in connection with manufacturing of vehicles in small batch numbers, e.g. for one of a kind production or for retrofitting of steering components to existing vehicles.

Abstract: A wheel-side end of a connection link is freely inclined relative to the wheel. A shaft-side end of the connection link is movable substantially in a width direction of the vehicle for steering the wheel. A steering shaft body is substantially in a rod shape extending substantially in the width direction. A steering shaft end is fixed to one end of the steering shaft body and freely inclined relative to the shaft-side end. The steering shaft body and the steering shaft end are movable substantially in the width direction according to an operation of a steering device. A load sensor is interposed between the steering shaft end and the steering shaft body for detecting load applied in an axial direction of the steering shaft to detect force applied to the wheel.

Abstract: A steering system disengages a wheel assembly of a vehicle in response to an event while driving. The steering system includes a suspension knuckle, a tie rod, and a puller. The puller includes a connector that removably engages the suspension knuckle and the tie rod to interconnect the suspension knuckle and the tie rod. The puller is operable to move the connector to disconnect the connector from at least one of the suspension knuckle and the tie rod in response to the event. The vehicle is operated along a longitudinal axis while driving and a moment of the vehicle about the longitudinal axis is sensed. If the moment exceeds the threshold, the puller is energized to disconnect the suspension knuckle from the tie rod.

Abstract: A wheel-side end of a connection link is freely inclined relative to the wheel. A shaft-side end of the connection link is movable substantially in a width direction of the vehicle for steering the wheel. A steering shaft body is substantially in a rod shape extending substantially in the width direction. A steering shaft end is fixed to one end of the steering shaft body and freely inclined relative to the shaft-side end. The steering shaft body and the steering shaft end are movable substantially in the width direction according to an operation of a steering device. A load sensor is interposed between the steering shaft end and the steering shaft body for detecting load applied in an axial direction of the steering shaft to detect force applied to the wheel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for determining a relative angle of rotation of two components and to a torque sensor, in particular for a divided steering column with torsion bar, in which a two-stage planetary gear is provided at the division of two shaft ends. The stages of the planetary gear are distinguished by a common planet carrier; in addition, both stages have the same tooth transmission ratio. The invention furthermore relates to use in the aforesaid divided steering column with torsion bar such that the steering column or a motor vehicle is equipped with such a device for angular measurement.

Abstract: An operator interface for controlling a vehicle includes a first operator control input device configured to generate a first signal indicative of a desired steering of the vehicle, and a second signal. The operator interface also includes a second operator control input device configured to generate a third signal. The second signal and the third signal are indicative of a desired vehicle speed.

Abstract: Apparatus for installing a sensor on a kingpin for a steering assembly, including a mount having a passage therethrough extending between opposite end portions thereof, one of the end portions being configured for mounting on one end of a kingpin in alignment with a passage therethrough such that the passage through the mount will serve as an extension of the passage through the kingpin and such that a steering axis of a wheel hub extending through the passage through the kingpin will extend through the passage through the mount, and the other of the end portions of the mount being configured for mounting a sensor thereon such that an input of the sensor will be located in a position for sensing a rotational position of an element extending through and rotatable within the passage through the kingpin.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of calibrating a steering system for a vehicle, e.g. an off-highway machinery, to allow automatic steering based on input from a position or tracking system, e.g. based on a Global Positioning System (GPS). At least two records, each comprising a position value and a curvature value are established. The position value represents a position of the steered element, e.g. a position of a steered wheel of the vehicle, and the curvature value could e.g. be expressed as a radius of a curve followed by the vehicle with that position of the steered element. The curvature value is determined by the positioning system during movement of the vehicle. Due to the records, it is easy to calibrate or recalibrate the system and the invention is therefore applicable e.g. in connection with manufacturing of vehicles in small batch numbers, e.g. for one of a kind production or for retrofitting of steering components to existing vehicles.

Abstract: A steerable element angular sensor system may include a sensor having a sensing axis positioned along an axis of rotation of a knuckle, a connector connecting a yoke and a knuckle of a steering system. The sensor may detect rotation of at least one of the knuckle and the connector. Also, the sensor system may include protection from rotation detection interference from linear and angular movements of at least one of the connector and the knuckle. The sensor system may be included within a steerable element assembly and provided within a vehicle.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for installing a sensor in connection with relatively movable members for sensing relative position thereof without adjustment, the sensor including a body mountable in a predetermined position on a first of the members, and a coupler being adjustably connectable to a second of the members and connectable in predetermined relation to an input of the sensor for coupling the input to the second member. The coupler is adjustably connectable to the second member in a predetermined relation to the first member such that when the input is connected to the coupler and the body is mounted in the predetermined position on the first member, the input and the body portion will be relatively positioned such that the sensor will provide a predetermined signal when the first and second members are in predetermined relative position.

Abstract: A device for determining the absolute angular position of a turning device with respect to a fixed structure, including an encoder provided with a main multipolar track and a multipolar track called “top turn”, said top turn track includes M singularities, a means for measuring the angular position of the turning device with an angular uncertainty T, in which the M singularities are each representative of an absolute angular position of the turning device and are distributed over the top turn track with an angular separation between each one greater that 2T. The invention also concerns a steering system for automobiles as well as a bearing including such a device.

Abstract: The invention concerns a suspension stop for a motor vehicle wheel, comprising a device for measuring the forces applied to the vehicle wheel, the said device comprising at least one deformation sensor (12) which is associated with a fixed member (1, 6) of the said stop so as to measure the deformations of the said member which are caused by the said forces applied, and a calculation means able, from these deformations, to calculate the corresponding forces applied.

Abstract: An angle sensor is used for determining the relative position of a steerable wheel hub, relative to a fixed wheel mounting hub. The angle sensor has a portion mounted on the fixed hub, but received in a recess in the kingpin. The kingpin has a central bore that receives a movable shaft of the sensor which is driven by the kingpin. As the steerable wheel hub is steered, it rotates about the axis of the kingpin and rotates the kingpin. The kingpin drives the shaft of the sensor to provide for an indication of the amount of pivotal movement between the wheel hub and the wheel mounting hub.

Abstract: The invention concerns an arrangement for carrying out steering angle or steering wheel angle measurements (&agr;) in motor vehicles. The arrangement uses a resolver for transmission purposes. Advantageous developments concern the use of the resolver for the additional transmission of switching information in both directions and for transmission of energy using frequency-separated or time-multiplexed transmission channels.

Abstract: Apparatus for sensing an angular position of a steerable wheel of a vehicle, such as a work machine or the like, about a steering axis thereof. The apparatus includes a support frame having an upper arm and a lower arm defining a space through which the steering axis passes, and a wheel hub located in the space for supporting the wheel. The steering axis extends through a predetermined bottom axial surface portion of the wheel hub, and a lower kingpin is mounted in a passage through the lower arm and supports the wheel hub in the space for rotation about the steering axis. The lower kingpin includes an axial passage therethrough extending between an upper axial opening facing the bottom axial surface portion of the wheel hub and an externally located bottom opening.

Abstract: The invention concerns an arrangement for carrying out steering angle or steering wheel angle measurements (&agr;) in motor vehicles. The arrangement uses a resolver for transmission purposes. Advantageous developments concern the use of the resolver for the additional transmission of switching information in both directions and for simultaneous transmission of energy using frequency-or time-division selected transmission channels.

Abstract: A gearbox monitoring apparatus is disclosed for use in combination with a gearbox (4) which provides a connection between an input shaft (3) driven by a motor (1) and an output shaft (2), said gearbox monitoring apparatus comprising a first position sensing means (11) and a second position sensing means (12), said first and second position sensing means generating a respective first and second output signal, said first output signal being representative of the angular position of the input shaft and said second output signal being representative of the angular position of the output shaft, a torque signal generating means (6) which generates a third output signal representative of the torque carried by the gearbox (4), and signal processing means (15) adapted to receive said output signals and to process said output signals to produce one or more modified output signals representative of the wear in the gearbox.