With Yaw Control Patents (Class 303/146)
  • Patent number: 9868439
    Abstract: A vehicle control system is provided to execute a turning performance improving control for stabilizing vehicle behavior by controlling drive force during turning. The vehicle control system is provided with: a steering detecting means that detects a steering operation of a driver; a drive force limiting means that restricts the drive force during execution of a turning performance improving control; and a restriction relaxing means that temporarily changes the drive force in a direction of changing the drive force by the turning performance improving control, if the steering operation of the driver detected by the steering detecting means while restricting the drive force by the drive force limiting means is carried out to increase a steering angle during execution of the turning performance improving control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hitoshi Matsunaga, Kazuya Okumura
  • Patent number: 9771078
    Abstract: An autonomous mode controller (61) that outputs an acceleration command (SAa), a braking command (SBa) and a torque command (Ta) is connected to a steering actuator (33) and a traveling drive unit (52). The steering actuator (33) generates combined torque (T1) based upon steering torque (Tm) from a steering handle (32) and the torque command (Ta), and controls a steering angle (?) of a vehicle based upon the combined torque (T1). The traveling drive unit (52) selects a larger one of an acceleration command (SAm) by an accelerator pedal (50) and the acceleration command (SAa) as an acceleration command (SA), and selects a larger one of a braking command (SBm) by a brake pedal (51) and the acceleration command (SBa) as a braking command (SB). The traveling drive unit (52) controls a vehicle speed based upon the acceleration command (SA) and the braking command (SB).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinjiro Saito, Hidefumi Ishimoto
  • Patent number: 9744953
    Abstract: An ECU is formed of an ABS control device for controlling operation of a braking device when a slip ratio of wheels FR to RL becomes greater than a threshold, an automatic brake control device that controls operation of the braking device based on information on surroundings of the vehicle, and the threshold changing device that changes the threshold at which the braking device is activated by the ABS control device so that the threshold when the braking device is being operated by the automatic brake control device is smaller than the threshold when the braking device is not being operated by the automatic brake control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Satoshi Udaka
  • Patent number: 9637025
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a vehicle motor is provided with: a characteristic switching device configured to switch a characteristic of a motor between a first characteristic in which the output upper limit is first predetermined torque and a second characteristic in which the output upper limit is second predetermined torque, which is smaller than the first predetermined torque; a characteristic determining device configured to determine whether the characteristic of the motor is the first characteristic or the second characteristic; and a characteristic controlling device configured to control the characteristic switching device to switch the characteristic of the motor to the first characteristic and to start the motor with the first characteristic at a next start of the driven body if it is determined that the characteristic of the motor is not the first characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takashi Kawai, Takuro Kumada
  • Patent number: 9592812
    Abstract: A method for operating an electromechanical vehicle brake system is provided. The method includes determining that an activation condition has been met, selecting a pre-charge pressure based at least in part on the activation condition, building up at least an initial portion of the pre-charge pressure in the brake system, and applying at least the initial portion of the pre-charge pressure to at least one wheel brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Svensson, Tim Jurkiw
  • Patent number: 9573617
    Abstract: To suppress a voltage drop of a battery in an idle reduction state, a vehicle includes an idle reduction function of stopping the idling of the engine and restarting the engine when the vehicle starts moving. Then, a steering-by-wire control processing is performed to disengage a clutch and to control driving of turning motors. When the idling of the engine is stopped by the idle reduction function, a disengaged state of the clutch is maintained and the driving of the turning motors is restricted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaki Shibuya, Shogo Miyasaka
  • Patent number: 9469214
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed toward a geared traction drive system configured to drive a wheel of a vehicle, comprising: a driveshaft for transmitting power to the wheel; an electric drive motor for driving the driveshaft, the electric drive motor configured to receive signals from a vehicle dynamic control system to command a required speed; a gear reduction component for reducing the speed of the motor by a predetermined factor to a lower speed suitable for driving the wheel; and a drive electronics component that works with the electric drive motor to drive the wheel to the speed commanded by the vehicle dynamic control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Wrightspeed, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian Wright, Ryan Cash
  • Patent number: 9403480
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for providing feedback in the event of a lane deviation of a vehicle having a power steering system. Vehicle data, such as speed, a steering angle, and the like, may be acquired (e.g., from a sensor system of the vehicle). An activation signal may be generated based on the acquired data. A haptic warning may then be generated using the power steering system of the vehicle based on the activation signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Faeuster, Erik Jürgen Stumpf, Attila Benak, Andrew Brown, Sergio Codonesu, Karl-Peter Hesseler, Jan Bremkens
  • Patent number: 9376107
    Abstract: In order to suppress misoperation of stability control resulting from neutral position displacement, between the steering input mechanism configured so that a steering shaft rotates in accordance with the steering manipulation of the driver and a turning output mechanism configured so that wheels are turned with the rotation of the pinion shaft, a clutch is inserted that disconnectably joins the steering shaft and the pinion shaft. A first turning motor and a second turning motor are provided that can give a turning force to the turning output mechanism, and the first turning motor and the second turning motor are driven and controlled so that a turning angle in accordance with the steering manipulation by the driver is realized while the clutch is disconnected. When neutral position displacement occurs of the neutral position of the steering shaft and the neutral position of the pinion shaft, the stability control is suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Taku Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9334681
    Abstract: An automated child safety unlocking system for automobiles which disengages the child safety locks and unlocks the doors at appropriate times during events such as vehicle crashes. The vehicle ECU continually monitors the status of the vehicle to check if a crash event has occurred via various methods such as the status of airbag deployment, accelerometers placed in the car, and crumple points. In the event of a crash the vehicle ECU transmits one of at least two CSL command signals a child safety lock ECU. The command signals are each specific to an event severity and event type, and the child safety lock ECU then interprets the signal and acts according to the signal type. If the data interpreted indicates a crash, the child safety lock ECU unlocks the child safety locks, and if it does not determine a crash has not occurred, the locks remain engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David Fernandez-Aguilera, Arturo Carlos-Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 9296424
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a vehicle sideslip control system for maintaining a non-zero value of sideslip while cornering. The system comprises a vehicle sideslip controller operable automatically to control the vehicle to apply a positive or negative torque to one or more wheels of the vehicle in such a manner as to maintain the non-zero value of sideslip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventor: Tim Cotgrove
  • Patent number: 9290200
    Abstract: In the vehicle power steering system, a first assist torque component is computed based on a steering torque and a vehicle speed. A target steered angle is computed based on the first assist torque component and the steering torque, and a second assist torque component is set based on the target steered angle and an actual steered angle. Then, the vehicle power steering system assists a steering operation by applying an assist torque Tas corresponding to the first assist torque component and the second assist torque component. Further, an ideal steered angle at which a vehicle is able to keep travelling in a lane is set based on image information on the lane captured by a camera, and a correction value is computed based on the deviation between the ideal steered angle and the actual steered angle. Then, the target steered angle is corrected by the correction value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Terutaka Tamaizumi, Hirozumi Eki, Masayuki Kita, Isao Namikawa
  • Patent number: 9233674
    Abstract: A turning control device for a vehicle includes: a first standard yaw rate calculation unit that calculates a first standard yaw rate on the basis of detection signals of the lateral acceleration detection unit and the vehicle speed detection unit, a correction unit that corrects the first standard yaw rate, in an increasing direction on the basis of detection signals of a steering amount detection unit and the vehicle speed detection unit, and calculates a second standard yaw rate, a braking force control amount calculation unit that calculates a yaw rate deviation that is a deviation between the second standard yaw rate and an actual yaw rate, which is detected by the yaw rate detection unit, and determines a braking force control amount so as to cancel out the yaw rate deviation, and a braking control unit that controls the braking force on the basis of the braking force control amount determined by the braking force control amount calculation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Futamura, Takeshi Kojima, Kazutaka Ohmura
  • Patent number: 9205817
    Abstract: A braking device and a controller are provided. The braking device individually adjusts braking forces that are respectively generated at wheels of a vehicle. The controller executes braking force distribution control for individually controlling the braking forces at the right and left wheels of the vehicle such that slip conditions of the right and left wheels are equal to each other through control of the braking device. The controller executes the braking force distribution control on the basis of an upper limit of a right and left braking force deviation that is a deviation in braking force between the right and left wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshinori Watanabe, Satoshi Shimizu
  • Patent number: 9199650
    Abstract: A vehicle driving force control device controls engine torque so as to correct driver's request-engine-torque with the torque-down amount by an engine control unit, the torque-down amount being set into the lower one of a first torque-down amount and a second torque-down amount by a control-amount setting unit, the first torque-down amount being calculated on the basis of a relation between a tire force generated on a tire and a maximum tire force which the tire is capable of exercising against a current road-surface by a first traction control unit, the second torque-down amount being calculated on the basis of a slip rate of the tire by a second traction control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: FUJI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koji Matsuno, Takeshi Yoneda
  • Patent number: 9132731
    Abstract: A controller (8) controlling a drive force distributed to each wheel (1-4) of a vehicle sets dynamic drive force target values (Fxf**, Fx3**, Fx4**) to the wheels, and determines a variation amount target ratio related to variation amounts (?M, ?Fx, ?Fy) of a vehicle yaw moment (M), a vehicle front/aft force (Fx), and a vehicle lateral force (Fy) such that a vehicle behavior generated by the dynamic drive force target values does not vary. The controller (8) determines sets of the drive forces (Fxf(j, k), Fx3(j, k), Fx4(j, k)) realizing the variation amount target ratio, selects drive force command values from these sets such that each drive force command value is within a drive force limiting range, and controls a drive force regulating mechanism (20, 12, 13, 15,16) according to the selected drive force command values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ichiro Yamaguchi, Yoshitaka Deguchi
  • Patent number: 9086104
    Abstract: An electronic traction optimization system includes a control unit adapted to produce a corner speed estimate signal for each wheel of a machine, produce an ideal target speed signal for each wheel having a value at least partially responsive to the corner speed estimate signals, produces a practical target speed signal for each wheel, generates an actual target speed signal having a value responsive to a comparison of the ideal target speed signal and the practical target speed signal for each wheel. The control unit compares each actual target speed signal to an associated wheel speed signal to obtain a wheel speed error signal for each wheel and converts each wheel speed error signal to a clutch control signal, wherein each differential clutch actuator is responsive to an associated clutch control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Gerry O. McCann, Yun Liu, Keith F. Harvey
  • Patent number: 9061663
    Abstract: A system for stabilizing a sway of a trailer attached to a vehicle. In one embodiment, the system includes a controller, a plurality of sensors in electronic communication with the controller and transmitting sensor data to the controller, a torque vectoring device in electronic communication with the controller, and a computer readable memory storing instructions executed by the controller. The instructions cause the controller to evaluate the sensor data received from the sensors to determine a current vehicle yaw rate, a target vehicle yaw rate, and a yaw rate error of the vehicle. The instructions further cause the controller to determine if the vehicle is traveling in a straight line, to determine a torque distribution signal, and to transmit this signal to the torque vectoring device to stabilize the sway of the trailer without braking the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Hsien-Cheng (Kevin) Wu
  • Patent number: 9043107
    Abstract: A vehicle yaw stability control method and a vehicle yaw stability control apparatus are provided. The yaw rate {dot over (?)} of the vehicle is measured. A first reference yaw rate {dot over (?)}ref is set. A difference yaw rate ?{dot over (?)} is set. Stabilizing braking intervention is triggered when a value of the difference yaw rate ?{dot over (?)} exceeds limits defined by difference yaw rate threshold values ?{dot over (?)}min, ?{dot over (?)}max. Information regarding the shape of the road ahead of the vehicle is acquired. The reliability of the driver steering input ? is evaluated upon stabilizing braking intervention being triggered. In case the driver steering input ? is deemed unreliable a replacement reference yaw rate {dot over (?)}refroad is set based on the acquired road shape and a replacement difference yaw rate ?{dot over (?)}road is set whereupon stabilizing braking intervention is performed based on the replacement difference yaw rate ?{dot over (?)}road.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventors: Mohammad Ali, Mattias Bengtsson, Per Landfors
  • Patent number: 9022487
    Abstract: A system and method for brake assisted turning are provided. One system includes a pedal operated braking system configured to apply hydraulic brake pressure to brakes of a vehicle when one or more brake pedals are pressed. The system also includes a steer assist braking system configured to apply hydraulic brake pressure to the brakes of the vehicle based at least partly on a steering angle. The system includes hydraulic shut-off circuitry configured to selectively enable and disable operation of the steer assist braking system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Jerry Lee Brinkley, Benjamin Lee McCash, Adam Robert Rusciolelli
  • Patent number: 8983723
    Abstract: Braking/driving force control that includes: detecting a driver's operating state for causing the vehicle to run; detecting a vehicle body motional state while the vehicle is running; computing a target longitudinal driving force for causing the vehicle to run and motional state amounts for controlling a vehicle body behavior on the basis of the detected operating state and motional state; and computing driving or braking forces allocated to the wheels so as to achieve the computed target longitudinal driving force and target motional state amounts and that the braking/driving force generating mechanism causes the wheels to generate independently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Etsuo Katsuyama
  • Patent number: 8960813
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method in which the driving stability of a vehicle is controlled, wherein a yaw rate difference is influenced by an additional yaw moment which is generated at least partially by building up braking torque independently of the driver at one or more wheels. According to the invention, the braking torque which influences the additional yaw moment is variably apportioned between the front axle and the rear axle of the vehicle in an oversteering situation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Matthias Muntu, Volker Bremeier
  • Patent number: 8955923
    Abstract: A brake system for a motor vehicle, in particular for a utility vehicle, with a device for reducing the yawing moment on the front axle of the vehicle, characterized in that a device for measuring the slip and/or a device for measuring the load on the rear axle or on two running wheels of the rear axle of the vehicle arranged on sides opposite one another is present and a regulating or control device for influencing the brake pressure on the front wheels is present which limits the brake pressure on the front wheels depending on the measured slip and/or depending on the measured load on the rear axle or on the running wheels of the rear axle, the regulating or control device multiplying the difference of the brake pressures on the front wheels by a value which is smaller than 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Knorr-Bremse Systeme Fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventors: Adnan Mustapha, Dieter Woerner
  • Patent number: 8855883
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a lane-change assistance system of a vehicle and a lane-change assistance method thereof. The lane change assistance system includes a wheel speed sensor to detect a wheel speed of the vehicle, a steering angle sensor to detect a steering angle of the vehicle, and a micro controller unit to calculate, using the wheel speed and the steering angle, a desired yaw rate value required to allow the vehicle to return to an original lane when attempting to move the vehicle to an adjacent lane, but another vehicle in the adjacent lane threatens the corresponding vehicle, to compare the desired yaw rate value with a preset threshold value, and to assist a lane change maneuver of the vehicle based on the comparison result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Mando Corporation
    Inventor: Man Bok Park
  • Patent number: 8849514
    Abstract: A conventional brake control can generate only a small yaw moment compared with a steering control, so that reliable avoidance of obstacles cannot be obtained. With a steering control, the driver gets behind the wheel every time when crossing a lane and has an uncomfortable feeling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiharu Sugawara, Atsushi Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 8838336
    Abstract: A vehicle body attitude control apparatus capable improving cornering operability, steering stability, and ride comfort while a vehicle is running. A controller includes a gain, a determination unit, a multiplication unit, an FF control unit, a difference calculation unit, an FB control unit, an average value calculation unit, a target damping force calculation unit, and a damper instruction value calculation unit so as to enable such control that a pitch rate and a roll rate are set into a proportional relationship while the vehicle is cornering. The controller calculates a target pitch rate proportional to the roll rate, variably controls a damping force characteristic of a damping force variable damper disposed at each the wheels so as to achieve the target pitch rate, and generates a pitch moment to be applied to the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryusuke Hirao, Makoto Yamakado, Nobuyuki Ichimaru
  • Patent number: 8825334
    Abstract: A vehicle behavior control apparatus is equipped with a slip angle detector that detects a slip angle of a vehicle, a control amount calculation portion that calculates a control amount from the slip angle detected by the slip angle detector, a derivative of the slip angle, and a second order derivative of the slip angle, and a control portion that executes a behavior control for the vehicle based on the calculated control amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ryochi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8825332
    Abstract: A method is described for stabilizing a vehicle during a braking maneuver, in which the vehicle is steered at the same time. In order to bring the vehicle back again into a controlled state as rapidly as possible, the driving state is monitored with respect to a driving situation in which the wheel slip of the front wheels is greater than a specified threshold value, and besides that, a steering requirement is present. If such a driving situation has been detected, the brake pressure is first reduced at a first front wheel and after that at a second front wheel on the other side of the vehicle, until the wheel start-up pressure is reached. Because of that, the first wheel starts up substantially faster than in response to a simultaneous pressure reduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Philipp Frueh, Rainer Brueggemann
  • Patent number: 8789897
    Abstract: A method for dimensioning the admission pressure at a first, analogized, electromagnetically actuated hydraulic valve for sensitively regulating the pressure in a pressure circuit in which the admission pressure at the first valve can be set by the delivery capacity of an engine pump assembly which is connected to the first valve via a pump-outlet-side pressure line, in particular in a hydraulic motor vehicle brake system, wherein the admission pressure is set by electronically evaluating the tappet reaction of the first valve or of a further hydraulic valve which is also actuated electromagnetically and is connected to the pump-outlet-side pressure line. An electronically controlled motor vehicle brake pressure control device with which the above method can be carried out is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventor: Erhard Beck
  • Patent number: 8764126
    Abstract: A controller for controlling braking of a wheel of a vehicle. The controller includes a first connection to a friction brake, a second connection to a motor/generator, a third connection to a plurality of sensors, and a fuzzy logic module. The motor/generator is configured to drive the wheel in a driving mode and to brake the wheel in a regenerative braking mode. Operating parameters of the vehicle are sensed by the plurality of sensors. The fuzzy logic module is configured to determine a stability of the vehicle and the wheel based on data from the plurality of sensors. The fuzzy logic module allocates braking force between the friction brake and the motor/generator operating in the regenerative braking mode based on the stability of the vehicle and the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Hsien-Cheng Kevin Wu, Edward Heil
  • Patent number: 8764124
    Abstract: A brake control apparatus includes a braking force generating section and a control unit. The braking force generating section generates braking forces at wheels of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Furuyama
  • Patent number: 8740317
    Abstract: A method, and a system using the method, of controlling a towing vehicle that is connected to a vehicle trailer. The method includes sensing a set of vehicle targets and a set of vehicle conditions in response to the set of vehicle targets. The method also includes determining a plurality of differences between the set of vehicle targets and the set of vehicle conditions, determining a trend of the plurality of differences, generating at least one of a symmetric signal and an asymmetric signal based on the trend, and actuating a vehicle system with the at least one of a symmetric signal and an asymmetric signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Hsien-cheng Wu, Flavio Nardi, Jin-Jae Chen, Eric Hartman
  • Patent number: 8738264
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle braking system and method for controlling the same. The system includes an electronic controller communicatively coupled to a vehicle braking system and a vehicle motion detection device. The braking system is configured to be automatically activated in response to detection of an object in a path of the vehicle. Once activated, the braking system is deactivated either by the driver or a pre-determined time period after detection that motion of the vehicle has stopped. Prior to deactivation of the vehicle braking system an HMI message is activated indicating imminent deactivation of the vehicle braking system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Wilford Trent Yopp, Wangdong Luo, Stephen Varghese Samuel
  • Patent number: 8714663
    Abstract: A target braking-driving force Fvn and a target yaw moment Mvn of the entire vehicle are calculated, and when the target braking-driving force Fvn and the target yaw moment Mvn cannot be achieved by the braking-driving forces of the front wheels, a target braking-driving force Fvft and a target yaw moment Mvft of the front wheels are adjusted such that the magnitudes of the braking-driving force and yaw moment of the vehicle produced by the braking-driving forces of the front wheels become the maximum at a ratio between Fvn and Mvn. A target braking-driving force Fvrt and a target yaw moment Mvrt of the rear wheels are calculated on the basis of Fvn, Mvn, Fvft, and Mvft, and similar adjustment is performed for them when necessarily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshinori Maeda, Yasuhiro Oshiumi, Michitaka Tsuchida, Kazuya Okumura, Kensuke Yoshizue, Akihiro Hosokawa, Koji Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 8706378
    Abstract: The vehicle described herein employs a mu logic module. The mu logic module monitors vehicle operating conditions, and based on those operating conditions determines a road surface mu in response to a wheel slip event. The road surface mu is then used to determine a drive force to minimize or control the wheel slip event. The mu logic module continually monitors and adjusts the drive force provided to at least one of the wheels to maximize the applied drive force, while stabilizing and controlling wheel slip events to ensure safe operation of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Jordan Choby
  • Patent number: 8670912
    Abstract: An attitude change reduction structure, which reduces a vehicle attitude change that occurs during braking due to known left-right asymmetry of a vehicle structure, includes a brake pressure control mechanism that increases a brake pressure at a brake for a wheel (9) on a right side and a brake pressure at a brake for a wheel (9) on a left side to a same target brake pressure; and a brake pressure change rate differentiation structure that makes a rate of change in the brake pressure at the brake for the wheel (9) on the right side with respect to time different from a rate of change in the brake pressure at the brake for the wheel (9) on the left side with respect to time, based on the known left-right asymmetry of the vehicle structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinichi Fujiwara, Kohei Kozono
  • Patent number: 8571758
    Abstract: A system and method of continuously updating a steering wheel angle offset value to adapt to changing road conditions. A vehicle control system receives a plurality of vehicle parameter values each from a different vehicle sensor. The system then calculates a plurality of observed steering angle values, each using a different calculation method based on one or more of the plurality of vehicle parameter values. The plurality of observed steering angle values are then used to calculate a vehicle steering angle. A steering wheel angle offset value is then calculated based on the steering wheel angle and the calculated vehicle steering angle. The steering wheel angle offset value and the steering wheel angle are used to control the vehicle's steering system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Willy Klier, David VanderLugt
  • Patent number: 8548706
    Abstract: A device operable to control a turning of a vehicle, includes: a motion controller operable to: control a first adjuster so as to increase a drive force applied to at least one of front wheels and rear wheels situated in an inner side of the turning, and control a second adjuster so as to increase the braking force applied to at least one of the front wheels and the rear wheels situated in an outer side of the turning; and control the first adjuster so as to increase the drive force applied to at least one of the front wheels and the rear wheels situated in an outer side of the turning, and control the second adjuster so as to increase the braking force applied to at least one of the front wheels and the rear wheels situated in an inner side of the turning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takami Miura, Kaoru Sawase, Takao Matsui, Yuichi Ushiroda, Naoki Takahashi, Keiji Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20130245907
    Abstract: A system and method for adjusting a yaw of an aircraft having an antilock braking system is disclosed. The antilock braking system includes a controller configured to receive a directional input from a rudder. The controller is further configured to deliver a braking output to at least one of a left wheel brake and a right wheel brake. A position of the rudder indicates a pilot's desired steering response, and to allow for braking optimization by the antilock braking system, the pilot depresses fully the left wheel brake pedal and the right wheel brake pedal. The controller receives the directional input after both the right wheel brake pedal and the left wheel brake pedal have been fully depressed. The controller then delivers the braking output and a pressure on one of the left wheel brake and the right wheel brake is reduced in accordance with the directional input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Inventor: Gary E. McKay
  • Patent number: 8532897
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a controller for a vehicle braking system capable of determining vehicle pull during automated braking, are disclosed. The controller comprises a yaw rate input for receiving a yaw rate signal indicative of a yaw rate of the vehicle; a stability input for receiving a stability signal from a stability sensor of the vehicle; a deceleration input for receiving a deceleration signal indicative of an automated deceleration request and a brake output for transmitting a brake control signal. The controller includes control logic to determine vehicle pull based on the yaw rate signal and the stability signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventors: Michael D. Tober, Kenneth A. Grolle, Eric A. Matoy
  • Patent number: 8500219
    Abstract: A method is proposed for stabilizing a vehicle including a braking system that can be actuated by a driver of the vehicle for applying a braking force to at least two vehicle wheels. A braking force corresponding to driver specifications is applied at a first vehicle wheel of an axle, and a braking force that is smaller than the driver specifications is applied to a second vehicle wheel of the axle during a braking actuation by the driver when it is determined that an activation criterion is met. This provides a comfortable stabilization of the vehicle without an active buildup of braking force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventor: Ivica Batistic
  • Patent number: 8494714
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are stability display apparatus and methods. One apparatus comprises a driving state detection unit configured to detect a driving state of a vehicle in operation; a controller comprising an instability estimation unit configured to estimate an instability index indicating driving instability of the vehicle based on the driving state of the vehicle detected by the driving state detection unit and configured to determine changes in the instability index; and a display unit configured to display the instability index estimated by the instability estimation unit in a display region within a range less than or equal to an upper limit that is a limit of display and configured to display in the display region a representation of the changes of the instability index when the instability index is beyond the upper limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Kuge, Takayuki Kondoh, Yoshiki Yasuno
  • Patent number: 8473174
    Abstract: In a method for determining the vehicle longitudinal velocity in a vehicle, a wheel longitudinal force is determined in an estimation equation as a function of the wheel speeds and the vehicle longitudinal velocity is ascertained as a function of the wheel longitudinal force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Patrick Kroeger, Sergey Antonov
  • Patent number: 8412433
    Abstract: A motion control device for a vehicle includes a vehicle speed obtaining device, a curvature obtaining device for obtaining a bending grade of a curve existing ahead of the vehicle, a position obtaining device for obtaining a relative position between the vehicle and the curve, a determination device for determining an appropriate vehicle speed for the vehicle passing through the curve based on the bending grade, a speed reduction control device for executing a speed reduction control for reducing the vehicle speed based on the vehicle speed and the relative position so that the vehicle passes through the curve at the appropriate vehicle speed, and a gradient obtaining device for obtain a gradient of the road on the curve existing in a traveling direction of the vehicle, wherein the determination device determines the appropriate vehicle speed based on the gradient of the road in addition to the bending grade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignees: Advics Co., Ltd., Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Yasui, Keita Nakano, Yosuke Kuki, Takayuki Miyajima, Yoshito Kondo, Atsushi Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 8412435
    Abstract: A system, method and computer program product is provided for detecting if a vehicle has spun. A normal force and a lateral force of each of a front and rear axle of a vehicle is estimated. A coefficient of friction representative of a surface is estimated. Lateral momenta of the front and rear axles based on the coefficient of friction and the normal and lateral forces is calculated. Whether a surplus momentum is present, is determined. If the surplus momentum is present, a yaw rate of the vehicle is integrated respect to time to obtain a vehicle rotation estimation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLC
    Inventor: Daniel S. Maitlen
  • Patent number: 8370025
    Abstract: A target value for yaw angle velocity gain is computed according to a map expressing a relationship between steering wheel angle and yaw angle velocity gain predetermined such that a direction as seen from a driver of a target destination point for vehicle travel at a predetermined time after a forward gaze and a direction as seen from the driver are caused to match each other, and a steering gear ratio is controlled accordingly. A target value for a steering wheel torque corresponding to the detected steering wheel angle and the acquired yaw angular velocity is set, based on a relationship between yaw angular velocity and resistance-feel level predetermined such that the resistance feel level for a driver monotonically increases with increasing yaw angular velocity. Control is then preformed so as to realize the steering wheel torque target value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Chuo Kenkyusho
    Inventors: Eiichi Ono, Yuji Muragishi, Daisuke Yamada, Shinsuke Sato
  • Patent number: 8365849
    Abstract: Systems for towing a trailer by a towing vehicle and a method for controlling such a system are disclosed. The systems and method are configured to maintain a constant towing load on the towing vehicle as well as optimizing other performance criteria such as fuel efficiency. The system comprises a closed loop controller, a towing arm assembly, a load measuring device, an electric hub motor, brakes, a motor controller and a brake controller disposed on the trailer. In another embodiment, two separate systems are installed, one on each side of the trailer. A load force feeds into a PID controller programmed with preset proportional, differential and integral parameters. The PID controller generates a command signal to either modulate the brakes or motor up or down depending on the sign of the command signal. A process output updates the system which continuously adjusts based on driving conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Inventor: Brian Daniel Bartel
  • Publication number: 20120306261
    Abstract: A brake system may include a brake booster, the piston-cylinder system of which is driven mechanically or hydraulically by an electric motor, in particular by means of transmission means, at least one working chamber of the piston-cylinder system being connected to at least two wheel brakes via hydraulic lines, each wheel brake being associated with a 2/2 distribution control valve and the hydraulic connecting lines between the wheels brakes and the piston-cylinder system being selectively disconnectable or jointly closable by means of the 2/2 distribution control valves such that in the wheel brakes a pressure can be adjusted consecutively in terms of a multiplex method and/or simultaneously, the electric motor and the control valves being actuated by a regulating device, characterized in that the regulating device calculates the respective pressure in the wheel brakes by means of a pressure model and transmits the calculated pressure values to at least one ABS-ESP regulator and to a pressure regulating devi
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: IPGATE AG
    Inventors: Heinz Leiber, Christian Koeglsperger, Anton Van Zanten
  • Patent number: 8326504
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Hsien-cheng Wu, Jin-jae Chen, Nathan Drummond
  • Patent number: 8311693
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Hsien-Cheng (Kevin) Wu, Bo Xu