With Yaw Control Patents (Class 303/140)
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Patent number: 8364365Abstract: The method for controlling a safety system (102-108) of a vehicle (10) determines a reference velocity from a first front wheel sensor (20A) and a second front wheel speed signal from a second front wheel sensor (20B). An axle speed sensor (20C) may be used to determine an axle speed signal. A first rear speed signal and a second rear speed signal are determined from the reference velocity, a slip effect and a yaw signal. The yaw signal may be determined from a yaw rate sensor (28). Safety system (102-108) may be controlled in response to the first rear wheel speed signal and the second rear wheel speed signal.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2004Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: Ford Global TechnologiesInventors: Michael Brewer, Todd Brown, Thomas Salmon
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Patent number: 8326504Abstract: A trailer sway intervention system. The trailer sway intervention system includes a trailer having a plurality of wheels, each wheel having a brake, and a vehicle towing the trailer. The vehicle includes a plurality of sensors configured to sense operating characteristics of the vehicle, and a controller. The controller receives the sensed operating characteristics from the sensors, determines an error based on a difference between an expected yaw rate and a sensed yaw rate, asymmetrically applies braking forces to one or more trailer wheels based on the difference, and symmetrically applies braking forces to the trailer wheels when the absolute value of the difference between the expected yaw rate and the sensed yaw rate is declining.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2009Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Hsien-cheng Wu, Jin-jae Chen, Nathan Drummond
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Patent number: 8311693Abstract: Systems and methods for stabilizing a hybrid electric vehicle (“HEV”) towing a trailer. One system includes a regenerative braking system, a non-regenerative braking system, and a stabilization system. The stabilization system determines a direction of rotation and a speed of the HEV and compares the HEV's speed to a predetermined low speed threshold value and a predetermined high speed threshold value. The stabilization system instructs the regenerative braking system to brake at least one wheel when the speed is less than or equal to the predetermined low speed threshold value and instructs the regenerative braking system to brake at least one wheel opposite the direction of rotation and at least one of the regenerative braking system and the non-regenerative braking system to provide an extra stabilizing braking torque to at least one wheel opposite the direction of rotation when the speed is greater than the predetermined high speed threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2010Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Hsien-Cheng (Kevin) Wu, Bo Xu
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Patent number: 8285449Abstract: A suspension ECU computes an actual roll angle and an actual pitch angle of a vehicle, and computes a difference between a target pitch angle and the actual pitch angle. The ECU then computes a total demanded damping force which must be cooperatively generated by shock absorbers so as to decrease the computed difference to zero, and distributes the total demanded damping force in proportion to the magnitude of a lateral acceleration such that a demanded damping force on the turn-locus inner side becomes greater than a demanded damping force on the turn-locus outer side. Further, the ECU determines whether or not the vehicle body is vibrating in the vertical direction as a result of input of a road surface disturbance, calculates a vibration-suppressing damping force needed for damping the vibration, and determines the demanded damping forces by use of the vibration-suppressing damping force.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2009Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Ikuhide Iyoda, Motohiko Honma
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Patent number: 8229642Abstract: Improved methods of controlling the stability of a vehicle are provided via the cooperative operation of vehicle stability control systems such as an Active Yaw Control system, Antilock Braking System, and Traction Control System. These methods use recognition of road surface information including the road friction coefficient (mu), wheel slippage, and yaw deviations. The methods then modify the settings of the active damping system and/or the distribution of drive torque, as necessary, to increase/reduce damping in the suspension and shift torque application at the wheels, thus preventing a significant shift of load in the vehicle and/or improving vehicle drivability and comfort. The adjustments of the active damping system or torque distribution temporarily override any characteristics that were pre-selected by the driver.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2008Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: James W. Post, II, Xiaodi Kang, William Monsma
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Patent number: 8126626Abstract: A motor vehicle travel path control which monitors, during an autonomous braking event initiated by a collision preparation system the actual motor vehicle travel path in relation to the driver intended motor vehicle travel path, and in the event a departure from the driver intended motor vehicle path occurs, the motor vehicle travel path control adjusts braking so as to return the motor vehicle travel path to that intended by the driver.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2008Date of Patent: February 28, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Chad T. Zagorski
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Patent number: 8116942Abstract: A steering angle control apparatus for a vehicle includes a first calculating means calculating a longitudinal force, a second calculating device calculating a longitudinal force difference between at least one of right side wheels and at least one of left side wheels based on the longitudinal force, a third calculating device calculating a contribution rate of front wheels at a steering angle control and a contribution rate of rear wheels at the steering angle control, a fourth calculating device calculating a front wheel correction steering angle and a rear wheel correction steering angle based on the contribution rate of the front wheel, the contribution rate of the rear wheel, and a state quantity including the longitudinal force difference, and a driving device outputting a control command value based on the front wheel correction steering angle and the rear wheel correction steering angle.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2007Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: Advics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoshiyuki Yasui, Hiroaki Aizawa
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Patent number: 8086383Abstract: A control input for operating an actual vehicle actuator and a control input for operating a vehicle model are determined by an FB distribution law based on a difference between a reference state amount determined by a vehicle model and an actual state amount of an actual vehicle such that the state amount error is approximated to zero, and then an actuator device of the actual vehicle and the model vehicle are operated based on the control inputs. The FB distribution law determines a control input for operating the model such that a state amount error is approximated to zero while restraining a predetermined restriction object amount from deviating from a permissible range. A vehicle control device capable of enhancing robustness against disturbance factors or their changes while performing operation control of actuators that is as suited to behaviors of an actual vehicle as possible is provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2006Date of Patent: December 27, 2011Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Toru Takenaka, Hiroshi Kono, Takayuki Toyoshima, Hiroyuki Urabe, Shuji Shiraishi, Yukihiro Orimoto
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Patent number: 8020947Abstract: A vehicle turning motion control apparatus includes a turning condition sensing section to sense a turning condition of the vehicle; and a vehicle deceleration control section to initiate a deceleration control to decelerate the vehicle when the turning condition exceeds a deceleration start threshold. The control apparatus further includes a running state sensing section configured to sense a running state of the vehicle, and a threshold setting section configured to set the deceleration start threshold in accordance with the running condition.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2005Date of Patent: September 20, 2011Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Takeshi Ishimoto
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Patent number: 8024099Abstract: A deceleration control apparatus and method for controlling deceleration of a vehicle where a controller is operable to set a target vehicular speed calculated based on a turning condition of the vehicle and a lateral acceleration limitation value. The controller is also operable to apply deceleration to the vehicle based on the actual vehicular speed and the target vehicular speed and to correct the deceleration used when the vehicle is traveling along a detected curve. Correcting the deceleration can be done by, for example, correcting the lateral acceleration limitation value.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2006Date of Patent: September 20, 2011Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tatsuya Suzuki, Shinji Matsumoto, Masahide Nakamura, Tomohiro Jimbo
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Patent number: 8024091Abstract: An FB distribution rule 20 determines an actual vehicle actuator operation control input and a vehicle model operation control input such that a difference between a reference state amount determined by a vehicle model 16 and an actual state amount of an actual vehicle 1 (a state amount error) approximates to zero, and the control inputs are used to operate an actuator device 3 of the actual vehicle 1 and the vehicle model 16. In the FB distribution law 20, when an actual vehicle feedback required amount based on the state amount error exists in a dead zone, then an actual vehicle actuator operation control input is determined by using the required amount as a predetermined value. A vehicle model manipulated variable control input is determined such that a state amount error is brought close to zero, independently of whether an actual vehicle feedback required amount exists in a dead zone.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2006Date of Patent: September 20, 2011Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Toru Takenaka, Takayuki Toyoshima, Hiroyuki Urabe, Hiroshi Kono
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Patent number: 8019498Abstract: An instruction value conversion section (31) of an operation target calculation section (30) converts an instruction signal from a joystick (25). In order to obtain a movement mode of a ship intended by an operator, a target propeller speed calculation section (32) calculates, using each converted value, target rotation speed of right and left propellers (13) and the propeller (14b) of a thruster (14). At a main engine operation control section (40), a slip rate determination section (41) calculates the slip rate U of a clutch mechanism (120) of a marine gear (12) in order to rotate the propellers (13) at the target rotation speed. A drive control section (42) controls operation of the main engine (11) and the clutch mechanism (120). Further, in a thruster operation control section (50), a drive control section (52) controls drive of the propeller (14b) in the rotational direction determined by an operation determining section (51).Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2006Date of Patent: September 13, 2011Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takayoshi Yamazaki, Atsuyuki Tsuzuki, Kouichi Iguchi
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Patent number: 7974761Abstract: According to the present invention, when a target braking/driving force and a vehicle target yaw moment required to a vehicle cannot be achieved through a control of a braking/driving forces of wheels, in a rectangular coordinate of the braking/driving force and the yaw moment, a polygon indicating the maximum range of the braking/driving force and the yaw moment attainable by the braking/driving forces of the wheels, and an ellipse that crosses each side of the polygon and has a major axis and a minor axis aligning with the coordinate axis of the rectangular coordinate are set, for example.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2006Date of Patent: July 5, 2011Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoshinori Maeda, Kazuya Okumura, Michitaka Tsuchida, Yoshio Uragami, Kensuke Yoshizue, Satoshi Ando, Koji Sugiyama
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Patent number: 7949456Abstract: A turning control apparatus for a vehicle that improves turning ability while avoiding degradation of acceleration ability is provided. The turning control apparatus comprises: a driving torque controller (31) for adjusting driving torque between a left and right wheels (14L and 14R); a unit (62) for calculating a necessary yaw momentum value indicating degree of necessary yaw momentum for the turning of the vehicle; and a clipping unit (63) for clipping the necessary yaw momentum value as a target yaw momentum at a maximum yaw momentum value, which is defined according to difference between rotation speeds of inside and outside wheels, if the necessary yaw momentum value is over the maximum yaw momentum value. The controller adjusts driving torque of the left and right wheels to generate target yaw momentum at the vehicle corresponding to the target yaw momentum value obtained by the clipping unit.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2007Date of Patent: May 24, 2011Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Takami Miura
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Publication number: 20110108375Abstract: A brake device for motor vehicles has at least two hydraulic brake circuits which are directly connected to a master brake cylinder, as well as an additional brake circuit, which is able to be actuated via a control device, independently of the master brake cylinder. Because of the separate hydraulic brake circuits in the region of the front axle, redundancy is provided, while the third brake circuit, that is able to be actuated independently of the master brake cylinder and typically acts on the rear wheels, during automatic actuation, permits taking into account a braking effect by additional active assemblies, such as a driven generator.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2009Publication date: May 12, 2011Inventors: Gebhard Wuerth, Volker Mehl, Michael Kunz, Matthias Leiblein, Werner Quirant
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Patent number: 7917270Abstract: A method for operating a vehicle electronic stability control (“ESC”) system utilizing values for a variable obtained from a primary source and a redundant source includes the steps of receiving a first value for the variable from the primary source, receiving a second value for the variable from the redundant source, generating a normalized value as a function of the first value and the second value, determining whether the primary source is operating correctly, utilizing the first value for operation of the vehicle ESC system if the primary source is operating correctly, and utilizing the second value for operation of the vehicle ESC system if the primary source is not operating correctly and the second value is not greater in absolute value than the normalized value.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2007Date of Patent: March 29, 2011Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Kerfegar K. Katrak, Hualin Tan, David M. Sidlosky, Theresa M. Kondel
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Patent number: 7909126Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for integrating a torque vectoring differential (TVD) and a stability control system in a motor vehicle. The integrated system is utilized for more efficiently correcting understeer and/or oversteer slides in a motor vehicle. In correcting these slides, the integrated system utilizes the TVD to rotate two wheels on opposite sides of the motor vehicle at different rates to create a yaw moment at the vehicle's center of gravity until the TVD reaches a saturation point and the understeer or oversteer slide is not corrected. Once the saturation point is reached without correcting the understeer or oversteer slide, the stability control system is employed to selectively apply one or more of the vehicle's brakes in a further effort to correct the understeer or oversteer slide.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2008Date of Patent: March 22, 2011Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Edmund F. Gaffney
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Patent number: 7873454Abstract: A method for controlling stability of a vehicle includes the steps of determining a predictive lateral load transfer ratio of the vehicle by evaluating vehicle performance factors over a period of time, and controlling operation of the vehicle based on the predictive lateral load transfer ratio.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2007Date of Patent: January 18, 2011Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Damrongrit Piyabongkarn, Qinghui Yuan, Jae Y. Lew
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Patent number: 7848864Abstract: A system and method for estimating vehicle states, such as vehicle roll-rate, vehicle roll angle, vehicle lateral velocity and vehicle yaw-rate, for use in rollover reduction. The system includes an extended Kalman filter observer responsive to a steering angle signal, a yaw-rate signal, a roll-rate signal, a speed signal and a lateral acceleration signal that calculates an estimated yaw-rate signal, an estimated roll-rate, an estimated roll angle and an estimated lateral velocity. The system also includes a lateral velocity estimation processor responsive to the roll-rate signal, the estimated roll angle signal, the estimated lateral velocity signal and the lateral acceleration signal that calculates a modified lateral velocity estimation signal when the vehicle is operating in a non-linear region.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2007Date of Patent: December 7, 2010Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventor: Jihua Huang
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Patent number: 7797094Abstract: The turning control apparatus for a vehicle has a driving torque controlling mechanism adjusting driving torque of left and right wheels. The apparatus includes a maximum-yaw momentum value calculating means having means for estimating an outside-wheel gripping capacity, which is capacity of adhesive friction between the outside-wheel and a road surface, and an inside-wheel gripping capacity, which is capacity of adhesive friction between the inside-wheel and the road surface, and means for calculating a torque adjustment limiting value indicating an adjustment amount of driving torque by the driving torque controlling mechanism so that the adjustment amount does not exceed the gripping capacity. The maximum-yaw momentum value calculating means sets the maximum-yaw momentum value indicating possible yaw momentum, which is estimated if the driving torque is adjusted along with the torque-adjustment-limit value calculated by the torque adjustment limiting value calculating means.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2007Date of Patent: September 14, 2010Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Takami Miura
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Patent number: 7769519Abstract: A motion control device for a vehicle is configured so that a hydraulic unit mounting therein a pump for generating a controlled hydraulic pressure applied to respective wheel cylinders of the vehicle is integrated with a control unit provided with a yaw rate sensor for detecting a yaw rate of the vehicle and capable of controlling the hydraulic unit. The pump is composed of a pump drive section, drivingly rotated by a motor, and pumping sections which perform a pump function with the rotation of the pump drive section. The yaw rate sensor, the motor and the pump are arranged to satisfy a positional relation that the extending direction of a detection axis of the yaw rate sensor does not coincide with both of the extending directions of a rotational axis of the motor and a rotational axis of the pump drive section.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2007Date of Patent: August 3, 2010Assignee: Advics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masahiko Kamiya, Tadayoshi Usami
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Patent number: 7765048Abstract: In deceleration control apparatus and method for an automotive vehicle, a deceleration control is performed on the basis of a turning of the vehicle; and a controlled variable of the deceleration control is decreased when the vehicle is traveling on an outlet of a curved road.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2004Date of Patent: July 27, 2010Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tatsuya Suzuki, Shinji Matsumoto
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Patent number: 7751960Abstract: A vehicle stability enhancement system that is adapted for an estimated driver workload. The system includes a driver workload estimation processor that estimates the driver workload based on certain factors, such as the vehicle speed or driver-behavior factors. The driver workload estimation is used to adjust the damping ratio and natural frequency in dynamic filters in a command interpreter to adjust a desired yaw rate signal and a desired side-slip signal. The driver workload estimation is also used to generate a yaw rate multiplication factor and a side-slip multiplication factor that modify a yaw rate stability signal and a side-slip stability signal in a feedback control processor that generates a stability control signal.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2006Date of Patent: July 6, 2010Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Yilu Zhang, William C. Lin, Jing Zhang, Yuen-Kwok Chin
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Patent number: 7734406Abstract: A method, computer usable medium including a program, and a system for braking a vehicle during brake failure. The method and computer usable medium include the steps of determining a brake force lost corresponding to a failed brake, and determining a brake force reserve corresponding to at least one non-failed brake. At least one commanded brake force is determined based on the brake force lost and the brake force reserve. Then at least one command brake force is applied to the at least one non-failed brake wherein at least one of an undesired yaw moment and a yaw moment rate of change are limited to predetermined values. The system includes a plurality of brake assemblies wherein a commanded brake force is applied to at least one non-failed brake.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2006Date of Patent: June 8, 2010Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air ForceInventors: Michael W. Oppenheimer, David B. Doman, Aleksander B. Hac
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Patent number: 7698034Abstract: An integrated vehicle control system includes a first control system having a maximum authority to selectively operate a first vehicle sub-system and a second control system to selectively operate a second vehicle sub-system. A controller is adapted to monitor a first parameter associated with the first vehicle sub-system and a second parameter associated with the second vehicle sub-system. The controller is operable to control the first and second parameters by selectively invoking operation of the second control system when the first control system exceeds the maximum authority and the second parameter exceeds an upper threshold.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2004Date of Patent: April 13, 2010Inventor: Youssef A Ghoneim
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Patent number: 7668637Abstract: A technique for determining a slip angle of a motor vehicle, while compensating for bank angle of the motor vehicle, includes a number of steps. Initially, a first lateral velocity of a motor vehicle is determined, without consideration of a bank angle and is derived from an integral of a first lateral velocity derivative (vy dot). A second lateral velocity of the motor vehicle is also determined, with consideration of the bank angle and is derived from an integral of a second lateral velocity derivative. A third lateral velocity of the motor vehicle is also determined, with consideration of the bank angle and the first and second lateral velocities and is derived from an integral of a third lateral velocity derivative. A longitudinal velocity of the motor vehicle is also determined. A slip angle of the motor vehicle is then determined, based upon the third lateral velocity and the longitudinal velocity or the first lateral velocity and the longitudinal velocity.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2005Date of Patent: February 23, 2010Inventor: Kevin Austin O'Dea
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Patent number: 7658454Abstract: A proportional pressure difference valve is disclosed between a master cylinder and normally open valves for supplying hydraulic pressure discharged from the master cylinder into wheel brake cylinders, which are connected to normally closed valves for reducing pressure. The normally open valve connected to one of the wheel brake cylinders in one hydraulic circuit is placed in its closed position, and the normally open valve connected to the other one of the wheel brake cylinders is placed in its open position and then the pressure difference valve is controlled on the basis of a monitored vehicle state variable to regulate a pressure difference between the pressure at the side of the master cylinder and the pressure at the side of the normally open valves.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2004Date of Patent: February 9, 2010Assignee: Advics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Toshihisa Kato, Hideaki Yasui, Kazutoshi Yogo
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Patent number: 7644998Abstract: Even in the case that at least one braking force generating function fails, it is possible to secure a maximum braking force as well as suppressing a yaw moment generated on the basis of the failure as much as possible even at a time when whatever braking force is requested, A target braking force to a normal brake apparatus is calculated on the basis of a result of detection by a malfunction detecting portion, in such a manner that a total of braking forces generated in the brake apparatuses in respective wheels becomes as equal as possible to a requested braking force, at a time when a malfunction is generated in the brake apparatus or a braking force control portion.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2007Date of Patent: January 12, 2010Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Kimio Nishino, Toshiharu Sugawara, Kenichiro Matsubara, Toshiyuki Innami, Hitoshi Kobayashi
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Patent number: 7630816Abstract: In rollover prevention control, an inner front wheel braking force is generated only in a front wheel located on the radially inner side of a turning locus in a relatively early stage where the absolute value of actual lateral acceleration is between a first value and a second value. When the absolute value becomes greater than the second value, in addition to the inner front wheel braking force, an inner rear wheel braking force is generated in a rear wheel located on the radially inner side of the turning locus. When the absolute value becomes greater than a third value, in addition to the inner rear wheel breaking wheel, an outer wheel braking force is generated in the front wheel located on the radially outer side of the turning locus. Thus, an increase in the roll angle is suppressed, and a desired turning locus tracing performance is maintained satisfactorily.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2006Date of Patent: December 8, 2009Assignee: Advics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Toshio Yasutake, Toshihisa Kato, Shinji Tsugawa
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Patent number: 7575089Abstract: A front steering gear (18) is connected with steerable front wheels (12 and 14) of a vehicle (10). A rear steering gear (28) is connected with steerable rear wheels (30 and 32) of the vehicle (10). A torque sensor (40) connected with a steering wheel (16) provides an output to a controller (42). The controller (42) effects operation of the rear steering gear (28) in response to an output of the torque sensor (40) corresponding to manual application of at least a predetermined force to the steering wheel (16). Alternatively or in addition, the controller (42) may effect operation of a rear wheel brake (50 or 52) which is disposed on a radially inner side of a turn in response to the output from the torque sensor (40).Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2005Date of Patent: August 18, 2009Assignee: TRW Automotive U.S. LLCInventor: Kenneth A. Sherwin
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Patent number: 7571033Abstract: 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 4, 2009Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiroshi Fujioka, Takanori Matsunaga, Takashi Maeda, Toshinori Matsui, Masahiko Kurishige, Hideyuki Tanaka
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Patent number: 7567863Abstract: A novel vehicle stability control device through steering wheels independently of the driver's handling operation is provided, in which a suitable steering angle parameter in determining a target value for a turning state parameter is selected. The control device calculates a provisional target steering angle for wheels based upon an amount of an operation of a driver and a predetermined steering characteristic; a target value for the turning state parameter; and a target steering angle for wheels for reducing a magnitude of a deviation of the actual turning state parameter from its target value when the magnitude of the deviation is at a reference value or above, and thereby controlling a steering angle based upon the target steering angle. During execution of controlling the steering angle based upon the target steering angle, the target value of the turning state parameter is calculated based upon the provisional target steering angle.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2005Date of Patent: July 28, 2009Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masato Suzumura, Kenji Asano
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Publication number: 20090184572Abstract: A brake control device that controls braking forces applied to wheels to stabilize the behavior of a vehicle turning a corner, and includes a turning condition detection unit detecting a turning condition of the vehicle; a braking amount setting unit setting braking amounts for the respective wheels based on the turning condition detected by the turning condition detection unit; a brake control unit applying braking forces to the wheels according to the braking amounts set by the braking amount setting unit; and a road surface friction coefficient estimation unit estimating a road surface friction coefficient of the road on which the vehicle is running. The braking amount setting unit changes upper limits of the braking amounts for the respective wheels according to the road surface friction coefficient when the vehicle is in a center differential lock mode or a direct four-wheel drive mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2007Publication date: July 23, 2009Inventors: Yoshihisa Yamada, Yasushi Kobayashi, Tatsushi Takasu, Kota Shimoga
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Patent number: 7562948Abstract: There is provided a deceleration control apparatus for an automotive vehicle, which has a control unit including a deceleration control block that causes deceleration of the vehicle in accordance with a traveling state of the vehicle, an estimation block that estimates a change in vehicle behavior produced by causing the vehicle deceleration, and a suppression block that controls a braking force on each vehicle wheel so as to suppress the estimated vehicle behavior change.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2005Date of Patent: July 21, 2009Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shinji Matsumoto, Tatsuya Suzuki, Masahide Nakamura
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Patent number: 7562947Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the driving force of a vehicle is capable of using brakes to limit a differential operation, securing sufficient torque, and suppressing the heating and wearing of the brakes. In the vehicle, an engine generates torque to drive front wheels and/or rear wheels. A front differential allows differential rotation between the front wheels and transmits torque of the engine to the front wheels. A rear differential allows differential rotation between the rear wheels and transmits torque of the engine to the rear wheels. Disk brakes separately brake the front and rear wheels. An ABS/attitude electric control unit controls the disk brakes to limit differential rotation between the front wheels or between the rear wheels. At least one of the front and rear differentials is provided with a differential limiting mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2005Date of Patent: July 21, 2009Assignee: GKN Driveline Torque Technology KKInventors: Kunio Katada, Masatoshi Noguchi, Masao Teraoka
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Patent number: 7551996Abstract: A vehicle motion control device is configured to determine whether the lane in which the vehicle is traveling is straight or curved. If the road is curved, a target yaw rate is set such that the yaw rate of the vehicle to the target position is averaged. If the road is straight, the target yaw rate is set such that the response delay does not exceed a target value. Therefore, wavering of the vehicle with respect to the lane is suppressed, and the vehicle is controlled to move smoothly when the road is curved and briskly when the road is straight. When the road switches between a curved road and a straight road, the target yaw rate is gradually changed between a target yaw rate calculated for a curved road and a target yaw rate calculated for a straight road.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2005Date of Patent: June 23, 2009Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Ryota Shirato, Hiroshi Mouri
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Patent number: 7542838Abstract: The invention relates to a method of adjusting an electronic stability program (ESP) for a motor vehicle. This method comprises various steps, including in particular: establishing the curve of the consumption values (Cesp) as a function of time, said curve being representative of the differences (dCM) of the measured yaw angles and the setpoint yaw angles (dCM=LM?LC) versus the measured triggering threshold values (St), modifying the nominal threshold values (Sv) by a percentage that is proportional to the consumption values (Cesp).Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2008Date of Patent: June 2, 2009Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Christophe Bouchard, Richard Sautereau
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Patent number: 7516008Abstract: This vehicle motion control apparatus obtains a yaw rate deviation by subtracting the value (actual-yaw-rate-after-low-pass-filter-process Yrfilter), which is obtained by providing with a time constant ?1 (>?2) the low-pass filter process to the actual yaw rate Yr obtained from the yaw rate sensor incorporated in the HU, from the value (turning-angle-yaw-rate-after-low-pass-filter-process Yrtfilter) obtained by providing with the time constant ?2 the low-pass filter process to the turning angle yaw rate Yrt obtained on the basis of the actual steering angle obtained from the steering angle sensor, which is provided separate from the hydraulic unit HU. When this yaw rate deviation exceeds the threshold value Yrth (time t3?), this apparatus starts an under-steer suppression control.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2005Date of Patent: April 7, 2009Assignee: Advics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masanobu Fukami, Hirohisa Tanaka
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Patent number: 7460037Abstract: Method, system and computer program product for replacing a portion of a digital signal by applying a first difference correction that, after range limiting, converts the samples in the replacement portion to extremum values; then applying a second difference correction based on the difference between the extremum values and the desired replacement values. The first and second sets of correction values are thus independent of the original values in the first digital signal.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2007Date of Patent: December 2, 2008Assignee: Ensequence, Inc.Inventors: Jeremy L. Cattone, Larry A. Westerman
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Patent number: 7412312Abstract: A system for automatically determining a public transport vehicle emergency braking characteristics, in particular of a railway vehicle, includes elements (1) for measuring the vehicle speed, elements (2) for measuring the distance travelled by it, and elements (3) for triggering an emergency braking of the vehicle to actuate its braking elements (4). The system includes elements for detecting (5) the activation of the elements (3) triggering the emergency braking and elements for detecting (5) when the vehicle stops, adapted to activate/deactivate the operation of elements (9) acquiring data concerning the speed and the distance travelled by the vehicle for a time interval running between the activation of the emergency triggering elements and the moment the vehicle stops, and elements (9) for analyzing the data to deliver at least a information concerning the distance travelled by the vehicle during the time interval.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2002Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Regie Autonome des Transports ParisiensInventors: Julien Leblanc, Bruno Perrin, Vincent Poupinet
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Patent number: 7349775Abstract: 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: March 25, 2008Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiroshi Fujioka, Takanori Matsunaga, Takashi Maeda, Toshinori Matsui, Masahiko Kurishige, Hideyuki Tanaka
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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: 7330785Abstract: A method for increasing the directional stability of a motor vehicle is provided, as well as a corresponding device, and a corresponding computer program product. A model-supported pilot control is used to determine a stabilizing yaw torque, which is applied to the motor vehicle to influence the yaw torque of the motor vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2007Date of Patent: February 12, 2008Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventors: Dirk Odenthal, Roland Lohninger
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Publication number: 20070290552Abstract: A brake hydraulic pressure control apparatus for a vehicle includes anti-skid control means for executing an anti-skid control including a pressure reducing control and a pressure increasing control for one of front wheels at which an anti-skid control start condition is established, yaw moment control means for executing a yaw moment control, while the anti-skid control has been executed only for a first front wheel, for a second front wheel, wheel cylinder pressure estimated value calculating means, pressure difference estimated value calculating means, pressure increasing control means, and the pressure difference estimated value calculating means including pressure difference at specific time calculating means for calculating a pressure difference estimated value at specific time on the basis of a pressure difference estimated value at the first front wheel and a wheel cylinder pressure difference between the wheel cylinder pressure estimated values at the second front wheel and the first front wheel.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2007Publication date: December 20, 2007Inventors: Yoshiaki Kito, Katsuo Obai, Masato Terasaka
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Patent number: 7305292Abstract: Described is a device for stabilizing a vehicle in critical driving situations, including a vehicle dynamics control system having a control unit, including a vehicle dynamics control algorithm, and at least one actuator and an additional vehicle stability system having an associated actuator. Vehicle dynamics control may be executed in a particularly simple and trouble-free manner when the vehicle dynamics control algorithm is retrofitted with a distribution function which derives an actuating request for an actuator of the vehicle dynamics control system as well as an actuating request for at least one actuator of the vehicle stability system from a controller output variable.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2005Date of Patent: December 4, 2007Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Herbert Lohner, Ansgar Traechtler, Sylvia Futterer, Armin Verhagen, Karlheinz Frese, Manfred Gerdes, Martin Sackmann, Dietmar Martini
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Patent number: 7232191Abstract: An apparatus for controlling vehicle stability includes a pressure calculator calculating a brake pressure. In one embodiment, the calculated brake pressure is calculated based on a yaw rate signal input from a yaw rate sensor. In other embodiments, the calculated brake pressure is further calculated on the basis of signals input from a steering angle sensor, a lateral acceleration sensor, a vehicle speeds sensor, and a master brake pressure sensor. A method for controlling vehicle stability is also provided. The method and apparatus enhances stability and reliability during vehicle driving.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2005Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventors: Kyo Il Lee, Young Man Cho, Jin-Oh Hahn, Seung Han You, Seung Jin Yoo
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Patent number: 7229139Abstract: A system and method of controlling an automotive vehicle includes determining a steering wheel angle, determining a steering wheel direction, determining a steering wheel angular rate and applying brake-steer as a function of steering wheel angle, steering wheel angular rate and steering wheel direction.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2004Date of Patent: June 12, 2007Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Jianbo Lu, Timothy G. Offerle, Hongtei E. Tseng, Douglas S. Rhode, Gregory P. Brown
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Patent number: 7216942Abstract: This device is applied to a vehicle having a dual circuit brake conduit (so-called X-conduit) comprising a circuit for a front-right wheel and a rear-left wheel and a circuit for a front-left wheel and a rear-right wheel. This device obtains basic control volume Gb based upon a vehicle body speed and a road friction coefficient during an understeer restraining control or oversteer restraining control, and obtains yaw control volume Gd based upon a deviation between a target yaw rate and actual yaw rate. Then, it exerts braking force according to the basic control volume Gb respectively on two wheels of one circuit to which front wheel at the outer side of the turning direction and the rear wheel at the inner side of the turning direction belong, to thereby decelerate the vehicle, and further exerts braking force according to the yaw control volume Gd on either one wheel of the same circuit, thereby producing a yawing moment for making the turning state close to the target state.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2004Date of Patent: May 15, 2007Assignee: Advics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Toshio Yasutake, Kazuhiro Kato
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Patent number: 7213892Abstract: The present invention is directed to a vehicle motion control apparatus, which includes normally open valves to supply hydraulic pressure discharged from a master cylinder into wheel brake cylinders, normally closed valves to reduce wheel cylinder pressure, and a proportional pressure difference valve which is disposed between the master cylinder and the normally open valves, to regulate a pressure difference between the hydraulic pressure at the side of the master cylinder and the hydraulic pressure at the side of the normally open valves to be of a desired value. A pressure generating device is provided for generating the hydraulic pressure independently of the master cylinder to supply it into a passage between the pressure difference valve and the normally open valves. The hydraulic pressure in one of the wheel brake cylinders in one hydraulic circuit is regulated on the basis of monitored vehicle state variable.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2004Date of Patent: May 8, 2007Assignee: Advics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Toshihisa Kato, Shingo Nishigaki
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Patent number: 7178883Abstract: A vehicular brake system includes a brake actuator that enables brake assist to be carried out, the brake assist increasing a braking force exhibited by wheel brakes in response to a braking operation input by a vehicle driver in comparison with the braking force when it is unassisted. The system further includes braking operation detection means for detecting a braking operation by the driver; emergency avoidance steering operation detection means for detecting an emergency avoidance steering operation by the driver, and actuator control means for controlling operation of the brake actuator so as to carry out the brake assist in response to the detection means detecting a braking operation while an emergency avoidance steering operation is being detected by the detection means or during a period from the detection of the emergency avoidance steering operation by the detection means to the time when a predetermined period of time has elapsed after the detection has ended.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2005Date of Patent: February 20, 2007Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hiroshi Sekine