Determining Balance Or Center Of Gravity (e.g., Load Distribution Of Vehicle) Patents (Class 701/124)
  • Patent number: 8504282
    Abstract: When a vehicle is stopped on a slope, a brake is operated to stop rotation of a drive wheel so that no torque is applied thereto, and the posture of the body is controlled by moving an active weight portion so that stabilized stop state of the vehicle can be achieved without consuming a large quantity of energy. The vehicle comprises the drive wheel attached rotatably to the body, the active weight portion attached movably to the body, and a vehicle controller for controlling the posture of the body by controlling at least one of the drive torque imparted to the drive wheel and the position of the active weight portion, wherein the vehicle controller controls the posture of the body by controlling only the position of the active weight portion when the vehicle is stopped on a slope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Equos Research Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Naoki Gorai
  • Publication number: 20130197792
    Abstract: A device for determining the actual center of gravity of a vehicle, having a control command input interface, a movement modeling unit, a sensor interface, and a computation unit. The control command input interface determines control command inputs for controlling the movement of the vehicle. The movement modeling unit calculates reference acceleration data at a model reference point of the vehicle on the basis of movements of the vehicle, which are derived from a vehicle movement model, with respect to the control command inputs. The sensor interface determines sensor acceleration data which are measured at a sensor reference point of the vehicle and relate to the vehicle's actual movements resulting from the command inputs. The computation unit determines the actual center of gravity of the vehicle on the basis of an assumed center of gravity and the difference between the reference acceleration data and the sensor acceleration data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: DEUTSCHES ZENTRUM FUER LUFT- UND RAUMFAHRT E.V.
    Inventor: Deutsches Zentrum fuer Luft-und Raumfahrt e.V.
  • Patent number: 8483942
    Abstract: A center-of-gravity detection system includes a vehicle capable of carrying cargo and adapted to be towed by a towing vehicle, a shake detector configured to detect shakes in the directions of the self-weight and width of the towed vehicle during travel of the towed vehicle, and an arithmetic unit. The arithmetic unit is configured to derive, based upon physical quantities that correlate with the shakes, the location of the center of gravity, in three-dimensional space, of the towed vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: National University Corporatioin Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology
    Inventor: Yutaka Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8478484
    Abstract: A motor vehicle includes a body characterized by a center of gravity, a plurality of wheels for maintaining contact with a road surface, and a roll-reduction apparatus. The apparatus is configured to resist an impending rollover of the vehicle via at least one of i) applying a force between the body and at least one of the plurality of wheels and ii) lowering of the center of gravity of the vehicle. The vehicle also includes a sensing device configured to detect a roll moment acting on the vehicle and having a threshold magnitude. The vehicle additionally includes a controller configured to trigger the roll-reduction apparatus to generate a moment on the body opposite to the detected threshold moment such that an angle of the vehicle relative to the road surface during rollover is reduced. A method of reducing the angle of the body during rollover is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Prabhakar R. Marur
  • Patent number: 8467922
    Abstract: A control device of an inverted pendulum type vehicle comprising: a drive unit driving a vehicle movable on a floor surface in all directions comprising a first direction and a second direction, the first direction being orthogonal to the second direction; a base body comprising a payload supporting part receiving a load of the drive unit and a passenger; and a control unit controlling the drive unit so that an inverted pendulum control is performed with respect to a vehicle system center-of-gravity point, wherein the inverted pendulum type vehicle comprises a periodic moving unit being comprised in the base body and receiving a predetermined periodic movement by the passenger, and a periodic detector detecting a period of the periodic moving unit; and the control unit controls the drive unit according to the period of the periodic moving unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toru Takenaka
  • Patent number: 8467921
    Abstract: This invention relates to a ready system for providing floating dock deflection management systems increasing operations efficiency and providing accurate, safe control to eliminate man-made accidents. This invention also relates to a ready system for providing floating dock deflection management systems providing information to safely operate at least one dry dock without over-stressing the metallurgy of the dry dock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Inventors: David Q. Smith, Alan P. LeVezu
  • Patent number: 8452525
    Abstract: A weighing system for detecting total weight, including optional external loads, and monitoring of center of gravity of a helicopter (2), comprising a fuselage (1), a landing gear (4), mounted to the fuselage (1) by flanges (10-13) and weighing cells (41-44). The weighing cells (41-44) are integral with the flanges (10-13) between the fuselage (1) and the landing gear (4). Attachment means are provided at the landing gear (4) for external loads (39, 40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Eurocopter, Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Johann Sendlinger, Markus Wahnfried
  • Patent number: 8447506
    Abstract: A traveling device 10 includes ground touching detection means to detect a ground touching state in which a ground touching member touches a road surface, and control means to perform inversion control by controlling the driving of a wheel. When a ground touching state of the ground touching member is detected by the ground touching detection means, the control means suspends the inversion control. Further, when the start of braking is detected by the braking detection means and a ground touching state of the ground touching member is detected by the ground touching means, the control means may suspend the inversion control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshio Fuwa, Yushi Takeuchi, Takashi Izuo
  • Patent number: 8442753
    Abstract: The gradient of a road surface is estimated with a change in the attitude of a vehicle also taken into consideration. As a result, the gradient of the road surface can be estimated with high accuracy, and this enables the vehicle to stably stop and travel independently of the gradient of the road surface. The vehicle has a drive wheel rotatably mounted on a vehicle body and also has a vehicle control device for controlling the attitude of the vehicle by controlling drive torque applied to the drive wheel. The vehicle control device estimates the gradient of the road surface based on the attitude of the vehicle and corrects the drive torque based on the gradient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Equos Research Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsunori Doi
  • Patent number: 8437912
    Abstract: A high efficiency vehicle propulsion system to propel a vehicle using a hydraulic motor pump functioning as motor connected to the vehicle wheels. Vehicle braking and deceleration energy is recaptured using the same hydraulic motor pump functioning as a pump and stored in an inertia wheel configured as a gyroscope. Energy is stored in and retrieved from the inertia wheel by the use of a hydraulic motor pump functioning as a motor to store energy in the inertia wheel of the gyroscope or as a pump or to retrieve energy from the inertial wheel of the gyroscope. Energy to serve the system is derived from the use of a small engine running infrequently and intermittently. Additional energy is retrieved by the use of an active shock absorption system. Energy management and vehicle propulsion are controlled by a central computer processing signals derived from action of an on-board operator, an on-board program of from a remote source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Inventor: Gerald Frank Simons
  • Patent number: 8437950
    Abstract: A method for increasing the driving stability of a vehicle, particularly of a commercial vehicle, which counteracts a vehicle instability by a control intervention in a control system operating the drive and/or the brakes of the vehicle, in which the control intervention occurs as a function of the ratio between the height of the center of gravity of the vehicle and a spring constant of the vehicle suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Knorr-Bremse Systeme fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventors: Herbert Schramm, Falk Hecker, Matthias Horn, Ulrich Guecker, Stefan Hummel
  • Publication number: 20130110389
    Abstract: Representative implementations of devices and techniques provide leveling for a vehicle, such as an overland vehicle. Sensors associated with the vehicle may provide signals representing one or more operating conditions of the vehicle, including forces acting on the vehicle and a path of travel of the vehicle. The vehicle can be leveled based on one or more of the signals from the sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: Arrow Machinery, Inc
    Inventors: Jeff Solbrack, Dennis R. Solbrack
  • Patent number: 8428788
    Abstract: An inverted pendulum type moving body moving over a floor surface in a self standing manner, the inverted pendulum type moving body comprising: an information acquisition unit obtaining a state information indicating a current state of an another moving body; and a movement control unit controlling a movement of a self moving body, based on the state information, so that a state of the self moving body with respect to the current state of the another moving body satisfies a predetermined condition established so that the self moving body and the another moving body moves in alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toru Takenaka, Shinichiro Kobashi, Taiji Koyama, Hideharu Izumi, Kazuya Kuwabara
  • Patent number: 8423274
    Abstract: A vehicle provides upstanding and tilted (standstill for allowing a user to get on an off the vehicle) positions without movement of the vehicle. In the vehicle, even if the vehicle body tilts, a riding section is moved in the forward-backward direction to bring the vehicle to an orientation where the center of gravity (P) of the vehicle body is on a vertical line (V) passing through ground contact points (S1) or drive wheels (12). This controls the tilt angle of the vehicle body and the position of the riding section (13) so that the center of gravity (P) does not move. Thus, the upright position and the tilted position of the vehicle are achieved without movement of the vehicle (without rotation of the wheels). Further, influences such as an error in parameters and disturbance are compensated for by a balancer that moves in the forward-backward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Equos Research Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsunori Doi
  • Patent number: 8417404
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a personal, green-energy, transportation device with single wheel and self-balancing function, and especially to a self-balancing single-wheel transportation device. The driver can drive the transportation device by manpower, and the transportation device would simultaneously execute a self-balancing function during driving. The transportation device comprises: a body, a wheel, a pedal portion, a roller chain, an in-wheel motor, and a sensing-control module, wherein the sensing-control module is used for detecting the balance condition of the body when the transportation device is driven, and then the sensing-control module controls the in-wheel motor to output a balancing torque for maintaining the self balance of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: National Tsing Hua University
    Inventors: Ting-Jen Yen, Yu-Ting Chen, Feng-Guang Wu, De-In Shaw
  • Patent number: 8412447
    Abstract: A method is for effecting a computer-aided estimation of the mass of a vehicle, e.g., of a goods-carrying vehicle, based on the equilibrium ratio between the driving force and the sum of the inertial force and drive resistances, in which the mass and a gradient angle of the roadway are contained as quantities. The method may include: a) computer-aided differentiation of the equilibrium ratio according to the time with the assumption that the gradient angle is constant; and b) calculating the mass of the vehicle and/or the reciprocal value of the mass from the equilibrium ratio differentiated according the time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Knorr-Bremse Systeme fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventors: Falk Hecker, Matthias Horn, Ulrich Guecker, Stefan Hummel
  • Patent number: 8398029
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an on-board device for measuring the mass and the position of the center of gravity of an aircraft having a plurality of landing gears (T1, T2), each landing gear (T1, T2) being provided with at least one contact member (2) having a deformable element (3) that is deformable under the action of the weight of the aircraft when the aircraft is standing on a surface, and is remarkable in that the formable element (3) is provided with a bar (4) having an eddy current sensor (6) at its free end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Eurocopter
    Inventors: Julie Leroy, Bertrand Tardy
  • Patent number: 8396627
    Abstract: In a method for operating a vehicle with wheel suspensions which each have a characteristic curve, the characteristic curve generates a relation between the weight of the vehicle, applied to each wheel suspension, and the respective height of the vehicle at the wheel suspension point. At least two height sensors detect the height at the wheel suspensions, a reference height is associated with the height sensors and represents a pre-defined loading state of the vehicle. The method provides: detecting the height, determining the forces applied to the vehicle, determining the acceleration of the vehicle on the basis of the forces applied to the vehicle, determining an estimated value for the mass of the vehicle from the forces and the acceleration of the vehicle, and determining values representing the reference heights from at least the estimated value for the mass of the vehicle, the characteristic curves of the wheel suspensions, and the detected heights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Jung, Rainer Marstaller, Andreas Mayer
  • Patent number: 8392104
    Abstract: Provided is an avoidance maneuver calculation device that calculates a driving maneuver amount that enables an automotive vehicle to avoid an obstacle within a travelable range of a road. The device includes: a road boundary detector for detecting a road 13 where a vehicle 12 is traveling and a boundary section thereof; an obstacle detector for detecting an obstacle 14 existing on the road 13; an automotive vehicle information detector for detecting information on the vehicle 12; and an avoidance maneuver calculator 28 for calculating a maneuver amount for avoiding the obstacle 14 on the road 13.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hikaru Nishira, Yoshitaka Deguchi
  • Patent number: 8392102
    Abstract: In a method for estimating the height of the center of gravity of a vehicle, a lateral acceleration is determined. Predefined first and second driving situation are detected at a first time as a function of a determined roll rate or of a determined roll angle and at a second time as a function of the roll rate or of the roll angle. In a time period delimited by the first and second times, a differential angle by which a vehicle body tilts during the time period is determined. Also determined are an angular speed: formula and an angular acceleration: formula of the vehicle tilting movement in the time period. A height of the center of gravity of the vehicle is estimated on the basis of an equation of motion as a function of the lateral acceleration, of the differential angle, of the angular speed: formula and of the angular acceleration: formula.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Jens Fiedler, Rainer Marstaller, Andreas Mayer
  • Publication number: 20130054126
    Abstract: Two-wheeled vehicle (4, 5), comprising: a cockpit (1) within which is provided at least one seat (3) for the driver and a command steering wheel (2); a gyroscopic system able to provide induced stability and self-balancing, even in static conditions, and including at least a couple of contrarotating gyrostats associated with operation means controlled by an electronic control unit; and a parking system (8) equipped with a pair of side wheels (9) having means (10) able to allow any possible lowering and lifting; such parking system (8) cooperates with the gyroscopic system under the control of the electronic control unit and is designed to act automatically, lowering these side wheels (9), in emergencies or in case of stopping, under static conditions, of such gyrostats.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventor: Massimo Lazzari
  • Patent number: 8386159
    Abstract: According to a vehicle 1 of the present invention, coordinate systems of a past estimated value and an instantaneous provisional value of a two-dimensional floor inclination are conformed, by coordinate converting at least one of the “past estimated value” and the “instantaneous provisional value” of the two-dimensional floor inclination, using an orientation of the vehicle 1 or a rate of change thereof. Thereafter, a new estimated value of the two-dimensional floor inclination is calculated, by calculating a weighed mean value or a low-pass filter value using the past estimated value and the instantaneous provisional value of the two-dimensional floor inclination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toru Takenaka, Kazushi Akimoto
  • Patent number: 8386134
    Abstract: A method for enhancing payload control is disclosed. The method includes removing material during a plurality of work cycles with at least one loading machine and associating the loading machine relative to at least one haulage machine. The method also includes determining the relative locations of the loading machine and the haulage machine and, during the plurality of work cycles, loading removed material into the haulage machine with the loading machine. The method also includes determining payload and payload distribution within the haulage machine at least before a last work cycle of the plurality of work cycles and communicating to the loading machine, via a machine-to-machine communication system, the amount and position within the haulage machine of additional payload desired in at least the last work cycle of the plurality of work cycles for desired payload and payload distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen J. Morey, Timothy A. Vik, Richard D. Johnston, Jonathan W. Rothwell
  • Patent number: 8380390
    Abstract: A system and method for determining characteristics of a trailer being towed by a vehicle. The trailer is coupled to the vehicle using a trailer hitch using at least one intelligent bolt or fastener. The intelligent fastener has structural characteristics similar to those of traditional bolts for fastening a trailer to a vehicle (e.g., shear strength, diameter, etc.), but the intelligent fastener is configured to sense forces at a junction between the trailer and the vehicle. An ESC system receives force readings from the intelligent fastener sensors along with signals from a plurality of other sensors and determines one or more characteristics of the trailer. The ESC system compensates the motion of the vehicle based on the forces sensed at the junction and the characteristics of the trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Williamson Sy, Doug Johnston, Pascal Martin, Damian Nowicki
  • Publication number: 20130041577
    Abstract: A tilt sensor and method comprises a first accelerometer for measuring a first acceleration level associated with a first axis of the vehicle. A second accelerometer measures a second acceleration level associated with a second axis of the vehicle that is generally perpendicular to the first axis. A data processor is capable of determining an arcsine-derived tilt based on an arcsine equation and the determined first acceleration level. The data processor is capable of determining an arc-cosine-derived tilt based on an arccosine equation and the determined second acceleration level. The data processor comprises a selector for selecting the arcsine-derived tilt as the final tilt of the vehicle if the determined arcsine-derived tilt is lesser than the determined arccosine derived tilt such that the final tilt compensates for vertical acceleration associated with changes in the terrain in the direction of travel of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Puhalla, Nikolai R. Tevs
  • Patent number: 8374774
    Abstract: When a vehicle climbs up/down a step, driving torque suitable for the step climbing operation is applied to a driving wheel, and the center of gravity of a vehicle body is moved in an upward direction of the step. Thus, a stable traveling state and stable posture of the vehicle body can be maintained both when climbing up a step and when climbing down a step, whereby an occupant can operate the vehicle safely and comfortably even on a place having steps. In view of this, the vehicle includes: a vehicle body; a driving wheel rotatably attached to the vehicle body; and a vehicle control apparatus for controlling driving torque that is applied to the driving wheel and controlling posture of the vehicle body. When climbing up/down a step on a road, the vehicle control apparatus controls a position of center of gravity of the vehicle body in accordance with the step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Equos Research Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsunori Doi
  • Patent number: 8364439
    Abstract: A system and computer-implemented method for detecting concealed cargo and/or concealed passengers in a vehicle includes obtaining weight distribution data for the vehicle; obtaining vehicle loading data; measuring a center of mass of the vehicle to obtain an actual center of mass position of the vehicle; and executing one or more computer program modules configured to determined a predicted center of mass position of the vehicle using the obtained vehicle loading data and the obtained weight distribution data of the vehicle; compare the actual center of mass position of the vehicle with the predicted center of mass position of the vehicle; and provide a signal if the actual center of mass position of the vehicle departs from the predicted center of mass position of the vehicle by at least a predetermined threshold, the signal being representative of concealed cargo and/or concealed passengers in the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Nathan M. Mintz, Michael K. Holz, Brandon W. Pillans, Gregory V. Burnett, Anthony Ross
  • Patent number: 8359154
    Abstract: A system for determining a propellant content and a center of gravity in a three-axis stabilized spacecraft includes a ranging device that is coupled to an interior of a propellant tank of the spacecraft. The ranging device is configured to receive a ranging echo to facilitate determining a location of a membrane within the propellant tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Armando Benavides
  • Publication number: 20130013146
    Abstract: A motor vehicle includes a body characterized by a center of gravity, a plurality of wheels for maintaining contact with a road surface, and a roll-reduction apparatus. The apparatus is configured to resist an impending rollover of the vehicle via at least one of i) applying a force between the body and at least one of the plurality of wheels and ii) lowering of the center of gravity of the vehicle. The vehicle also includes a sensing device configured to detect a roll moment acting on the vehicle and having a threshold magnitude. The vehicle additionally includes a controller configured to trigger the roll-reduction apparatus to generate a moment on the body opposite to the detected threshold moment such that an angle of the vehicle relative to the road surface during rollover is reduced. A method of reducing the angle of the body during rollover is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Prabhakar R. Marur
  • Patent number: 8352170
    Abstract: A traveling apparatus is provided. The traveling apparatus includes: a driver configured to independently drive two wheels disposed in parallel; a chassis configured to connect the two wheels; a detector provided in the chassis configured to detect a posture angle of the chassis, rotating speed of the two wheels being set respectively based on information on the detected posture angle; and an empty vehicle controller configured to control a posture of a vehicle to stand the vehicle independently in a state of no rider on board. The empty vehicle controller limits or controls the posture angle at the start of the posture control of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Gousuke Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 8346436
    Abstract: A driving support system includes a lane detecting unit for detecting lanes around a vehicle, a route correcting unit for correcting a route along which the vehicle is expected to travel taking into consideration an obstacle on the route after the route has been recognized by lanes detected by the lane detecting unit, and a control unit for controlling the vehicle on the basis of the positional relation between the corrected route determined by the route correcting unit and the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Yokoyama, Shinjiro Saito, Masatsugu Arai, Tatsuya Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8340892
    Abstract: An onboard system and method for determining the instantaneous weight and balance of an aircraft simply, reliably, accurately, and requiring a minimum amount of calibration includes a memory for storing previously determined breakout friction data of the aircraft's landing gear shock struts, sensors for sensing the pressures in the struts, the vertical loads exerted by the landing gear on the aircraft, and the attitude of the aircraft relative to the horizontal during loading or unloading thereof, and a computer for computing the vertical load in each of the landing gears from the stored calibration breakout friction data and the shock strut pressures, landing gear vertical loads and aircraft attitude sensed during the loading or unloading. The computer then computes the gross weight of the aircraft and the location of its center of gravity (CG) using the computed vertical loads in the landing gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Michael A. Long, Geoffrey E. Gouette
  • Patent number: 8340891
    Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a parallel two-wheeled vehicle in which a rider can ride in safety without executing a predetermined procedure in boarding. A parallel two-wheeled vehicle control apparatus according to the present invention includes a drive unit that drives two wheels arranged on the same axis line in parallel, a rider detection unit that detects a state of a rider on a riding part that is connected to the wheels, a vehicle detection unit that detects a posture of a vehicle body, and a control unit that generates a control command to the drive unit and performs initial control to optimize transition of control from boarding to normal operation based on the detection result by the vehicle detection unit upon detection by the rider detection unit that the rider rides on the riding part while satisfying a certain riding condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Gousuke Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 8326463
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a digital position transmitter for control of an actuating element having a positioner in a process installation, with the position transmitter having a regulator with a dead band in order to suppress disturbance signals. It is proposed that the dead band in each case lags the set-value change asymmetrically with respect to the set value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: ABB AG
    Inventors: Andreas Wahlmann, Thomas Kleegrewe
  • Patent number: 8296049
    Abstract: In a vehicle control device capable of sufficiently exhibiting the effect of vehicle control, a selection section selects a value greater than an intermediate value of a vehicle weight in a range restricted by a range restriction unit as the value of the vehicle weight and selects a value greater than an intermediate value of the height of the center of gravity in the range as the value of the height of the center of gravity. For stability, the greater the height of the center of gravity of the vehicle is, the stricter the conditions that are imposed. For fuel consumption, the greater the vehicle weight is, the stricter the conditions that are imposed. The selection section selects the values which become conditions stricter than at least an intermediate value in the range restricted by the range restriction section, and the range restriction section restricts the range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yutaka Obuchi
  • Publication number: 20120259536
    Abstract: Systems and methods for computing the center of gravity of a vehicle. One method includes determining a first, second, and third acceleration of the vehicle along an x-axis, a y-axis, and a z-axis; determining a first, second, and third angular rate of the vehicle along the x-axis, the y-axis, and the z-axis; determining a total force acting on the vehicle; and determining an estimated mass of the vehicle. The method also includes computing a center of gravity of the vehicle based on the first acceleration, the second acceleration, the third acceleration, the first angular rate, the second angular rate, the third angular rate, the total force acting on the vehicle, and the estimated mass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2011
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventor: Willy Klier
  • Patent number: 8285474
    Abstract: Enabled is to lighten the load on a rider and to make the rider senses a turning state at the turning time of a transverse two-wheeled vehicle. A transverse acceleration (a) at a turn controlling time is detected to make a next inclination control in accordance with the magnitude of the acceleration. (a) In the case of an acceleration (a)?a predetermined threshold (a0), the vehicle is left uninclined to prevent the vehicle body from being unnecessarily inclined and rocked against a small centrifugal force, thereby to improve the riding comfortableness. (b) In the case of the acceleration (a)>the threshold (a0), a riding portion is inclined such that the inclination angle ?1 may become the larger as the acceleration (a) becomes the higher. This can reduce the load on the rider against the centrifugal force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushikikaisha Equos Research
    Inventor: Katsunori Doi
  • Publication number: 20120253652
    Abstract: A system for sensing a force applied to an aircraft includes a first sensor, a second sensor, and a processor operative to define a first velocity vector as a function of a first velocity due to a rotation motion of the aircraft, define a second velocity vector as a function of a second velocity due to the rotation motion of the aircraft, define an instant axis of rotation of the aircraft as a function of the first velocity vector and the second velocity vector, determine whether a force has been exerted on a first portion of the aircraft, and output an indication that a force has been exerted on the first portion of the aircraft responsive to determining that the force has been exerted on the first portion of the aircraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Karim Khial, James J. Howlett, Stuart C. Wright
  • Publication number: 20120253651
    Abstract: A stowage and center of gravity verification and assessment tool which assists users in locating items within an environment, determining the center of gravity of the environment, and calculating item location changes that facilitate altering the center of gravity. Each item to be tracked within the environment is equipped with one or more remotely pollable identifiers, such as, without limitation, barcodes, or RFID or ultrasonic tags, and the system stores the mass of each item. As items are moved in the environment, the system tracks the impact of such movement on the environment's center of gravity and recommends item location changes. The system can also assist users in locating items within the environment, provide access to detailed information about individual items, and assist with task scheduling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: UNITED SPACE ALLIANCE, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher E. Leslie
  • Patent number: 8280596
    Abstract: A method for estimating the effective volumetric capacity of a truck body is provided. The method includes the step of establishing a side-to-side profile of a generic load model by extending load side lines upward at a predetermined material angle of repose from the upper edge of each of the side walls of the truck body. A front-to-rear profile of the generic load model is also established by extending a front load line upward from the upper edge of the front wall of the track body at the predetermined material angle of repose and a rear load line upward from at or near a rear edge of the floor of the truck body at the predetermined material angle of repose. The volume of the final three-dimensional generic load model can then be calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Inventor: LeRoy G. Hagenbuch
  • Patent number: 8275516
    Abstract: A rollover risk assessment system includes sensors and a processor for estimating rollover risk associated with maneuvering on varying terrain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventor: Michael D Murphy
  • Publication number: 20120239250
    Abstract: A control system (18) and method for an automotive vehicle (10) includes a pitch rate sensor (37) generating a pitch rate signal, a longitudinal acceleration sensor (36) generating a longitudinal acceleration signal, and a yaw rate sensor (28) generating a yaw rate signal. A safety system (44) and the sensors are coupled to a controller. From the sensors, the controller (26) determines an added mass and a position of the added mass, a pitch gradient and/or a pitch acceleration coefficient that takes into account the added mass and position. The controller controls a vehicle system in response to the added mass and the position of the added mass, the pitch gradient and/or pitch acceleration coefficient variables.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventors: Jianbo Lu, Keith Mattson, Joe Meyers
  • Publication number: 20120239284
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for transporting a payload over a surface is provided. A vehicle supports a payload with a support partially enclosed by an enclosure. Two laterally disposed ground-contacting elements are coupled to at least one of the enclosure or support. A motorized drive is coupled to the ground-contacting elements. A controller coupled to the drive governs the operation of the drive at least in response to the position of the center of gravity of the vehicle to dynamically control balancing of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: SEGWAY INC.
    Inventors: J. Douglas Field, Michael T. Gansler, John D. Heinzmann, Jon M. Stevens
  • Publication number: 20120239257
    Abstract: Provided is an overturn preventing device for a dump vehicle equipped with a body (3) and hoist cylinders (5). The dump vehicle overturn preventing device comprises: a loaded weight estimation unit (32) which estimates loaded weight on the body; a vehicle rotation moment calculation unit (33) which calculates a vehicle rotation moment Mb caused by movement of the dump vehicle's load upon discharging of the load; a reference moment calculation unit (34) which determines a reference moment Ms not greater than an overturn threshold moment MI which is the minimum value of a rotation moment required to lift the front wheels (1) off the ground; a judgment unit (35) which judges whether or not the vehicle rotation moment Mb has exceeded the reference moment Ms; and a display device (37) which notifies the driver that there is a probability of an overturn of the vehicle when the vehicle rotation moment Mb is judged to have exceeded the reference moment Ms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventors: Masanori Ichinose, Tomohiko Yasuda, Takayuki Sato
  • Patent number: 8271185
    Abstract: The disclosed vehicle has posture control of an inverted pendulum which provides good riding comfort. A balancer target position ?* (calculated value) is determined according to target acceleration ?* indicated by an occupant. Driving thrust SB of a balancer 134 is determined by state feedback control so that a current balance position ? (measured value) becomes closer to the determined balancer target position ?*, and the balancer 134 is driven. An output ?W of a driving wheel actuator 52 is determined from the current balancer position ? (measured value) resulting from driving of the balancer 134. Since a driving torque is determined from an actual position of the balancer 134, stable upright posture control can be implemented even in a transient state which lasts until the balancer 134 reaches the target position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushikikaisha Equos Research
    Inventor: Katsunori Doi
  • Patent number: 8260535
    Abstract: A vehicle comprising a seat defining a driver seat portion and a passenger seat portion, an electronic stability system, adapted to receive inputs from a load sensor, a wheel rotation sensor and a lateral acceleration sensor, the electronic stability system adapted to provide outputs to at least one of the brake system for braking the vehicle, and the engine control unit to change the power output transmitted to the wheels by the engine, the electronic stability system using a first calibration to determine the outputs when the load sensor is in a non-loaded state and a second calibration to determine the outputs when the load sensor is in a loaded state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Bombardier Recreational Products Inc.
    Inventor: Mario Dagenais
  • Publication number: 20120221235
    Abstract: A method of determining the locations of loads in a vehicle in such a manner as to ensure mission safety in terms of loads being retained in the aircraft. On the basis of vehicle parameters, the anchor points available in this type of vehicle for retaining the loads are identified. As a function of the available loading volume(s), a possible loading configuration is calculated using at least some of the available anchor points, at least some of the retaining means, and the characteristics of the loads. The forces that might be exerted on the selected anchor points are verified as being less than maximum limits. The calculated loading configuration is confirmed, otherwise a new loading configuration is calculated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: EUROCOPTER
    Inventors: Pierre PrudHomme-Lacroix, Laurence Maille
  • Patent number: 8255174
    Abstract: A method and device for determining critical buffeting loads on a structure of an aircraft is disclosed. The device (1) comprises means (2, UC) implementing a semi-empirical method for determining the critical loads generated by some buffeting on the structure of the airplane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Airbus Operations (SAS)
    Inventors: Guillermo Jenaro Rabadan, Juliane Havas, Stéphane Soumillon, Carole Despre-Flachard
  • Publication number: 20120209502
    Abstract: A stability detection system is provided for detecting the stability of an articulated vehicle. The stability detection system may include a weigh system configured to measure the weight distribution of the vehicle. A controller may provide a warning when the detected weight distribution exceeds a threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Boyd M. Nichols, Carl R. Starkey
  • Publication number: 20120209503
    Abstract: A method of initializing the mass of a motor vehicle after a restart, for controlling a starting process of the motor vehicle a from a standstill. During operation of the motor vehicle, its mass is computed and the determined mass values are stored and, from the stored mass values, a vehicle-specific maximum mass value and/or a vehicle-specific minimum mass value is determined. The vehicle-specific maximum mass value and/or the vehicle-specific minimum mass value, determined in this manner, is subsequently used for initializing the mass of the motor vehicle after restarting the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Maik Wurthner, Peter Herter, Ingo Sauter, Joachim Staudinger, Johannes Kemler