Suspension Control Patents (Class 701/37)
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Patent number: 10928826Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving sensor data from one or more sensors of each of one or more vehicles, processing a combination of the sensor data to generate an assessment of an area surrounding the one or more vehicles based on one or more points-of-view of the area, the one or more points-of-view of the area generated based on synchronizing the combination of the sensor data, and detecting an occurrence of an event based on the assessment of the area. The method further includes identifying one or more instructions corresponding to the event, the instructions associated with a particular vehicle and sending one or more executable instructions based on the instructions to the particular vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2018Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: Lyft, Inc.Inventors: Farzad Cyrus Foroughi Abari, Romain Clément, Roxie Lynn Paine
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Patent number: 10913491Abstract: A control system for a steering system of a vehicle, the control system comprising: a processing module configured to obtain an indication of a proximity of a road wheel of the vehicle to a limit of adhesion, and to generate a driver feedback signal in the event that the road wheel is at or beyond the limit of adhesion; and an output arranged to issue the driver feedback signal.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2018Date of Patent: February 9, 2021Assignee: JAGUAR LAND ROVER LIMITEDInventors: Robbie Lesbirel, Riccardo Ficca, Gustavo Jaramillo-Moscoso
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Patent number: 10894542Abstract: A method includes, responsive to determining a vehicle is operational, receiving vehicle data associated the operational vehicle. The method receives driver data associated with a driver of the operational vehicle. The method receives environmental data associated with a location for the operational vehicle. The method calculates a drivability score based on the vehicle data, the driver data, and the environmental data, wherein the drivability score is a measure of optimal driving conditions. Responsive to determining the drivability score is below a drivability score threshold, the method performs an action based on the drivability score.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2018Date of Patent: January 19, 2021Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Eric V. Kline, Sarbajit K. Rakshit, Richard B. Finch
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Patent number: 10875378Abstract: An air management system for a vehicle having a first pneumatic circuit and a second pneumatic circuit, in which the first and second pneumatic circuits are pneumatically connected in a neutral position via a cross-flow mechanism. The first pneumatic circuit includes a first leveling valve configured to adjust independently the height of a first side of the vehicle. The second pneumatic circuit includes a second leveling valve configured to adjust independently the height of a second side of the vehicle. The first and second leveling valves are configured to establish pneumatic communication between the first and second pneumatic circuits when the first leveling valve is not independently adjusting the height of the first side of the vehicle and the second leveling valve is not independently adjusting the height of the second side of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2018Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: Base Air Management LimitedInventors: Matthew Vaughan, David Bryan Lewis, Joseph Calaway, George Arrants
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Patent number: 10828955Abstract: A suspension system for controlling movement of a vehicle wheel may include a spring and damper assembly coupling the wheel to the vehicle chassis for movement of the wheel relative to the vehicle chassis. The spring and damper assembly may include a spring coupled to a damper member configured to extend and retract the wheel relative to the vehicle chassis. The suspension system may further include a damper actuator located remotely from the spring and damper assembly and configured to modify an amount of damping and/or wheel extension. The suspension system may also include a spring actuator integrated with the damper actuator and configured to control an amount of deflection of the spring and/or to alter a spring rate. The damper actuator may be provided at a location in the vehicle separated from the spring and damper assembly.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2018Date of Patent: November 10, 2020Assignee: Zoox, Inc.Inventors: Johannes Edren, Ahditya Melkote, Phillip Newport Kuys, Andrew James Webb, Paul Choin
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Patent number: 10821796Abstract: Disclosed herein is a transport device with a platform that pivots relative to a frame of the transport device. A pivot angle of the platform is altered with an actuator controlled by a transport computer. The pivot angle is based, at least in part, on a predicted change in velocity, a determined change in ground surface, a determined ground slope, and a center of gravity of a user and of the transport device.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2016Date of Patent: November 3, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Aurelien Lagrandcourt, Navneet Bhasin
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Patent number: 10812952Abstract: A method for determining the position in a vehicle of a first device in communication with a microprocessor may include receiving, at the microprocessor, a first set of inertial data from at least one sensor of the first device; receiving, at the microprocessor, a second set of inertial data from at least one sensor of a reference device disposed within the vehicle; and determining, using the microprocessor, the position of the first device in the vehicle by comparing the first set of inertial data with the second set of inertial data.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2018Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignees: RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY, STEVENS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGYInventors: Marco Gruteser, Richard P. Martin, Yingying Chen, Yan Wang
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Patent number: 10773671Abstract: A method and computing system for determining whether a DTC set in a vehicle involved in a collision is collision-related or non-collision-related. The method can include determining a vehicle model associated with the vehicle, determining a DTC set within an ECU in the vehicle, determining a damaged portion in the vehicle, determining the DTC is collision-related, and outputting a collision report that indicates the DTC is collision-related. The determined damaged portion indicates where the vehicle was damaged by the collision. Determining the DTC is collision-related can include determining the damaged portion in the vehicle matches a reference vehicle portion associated with both a component attributable to setting the DTC and the vehicle model associated with the damaged vehicle. The collision report can indicate that a different DTC set by the same or a different ECU in the vehicle is non-collision-related.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2019Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: Snap-on IncorporatedInventors: Roy S. Brozovich, Patrick S. Merg, Joshua C. Covington, Joshua D. Williamson, Oswaldo Neri
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Patent number: 10759247Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed that assist a user in performing proper setup of a vehicle suspension. A user may utilize a device equipped with an image sensor to assist the user in proper setup of a vehicle suspension. The device executes an application that prompts the user for input and instructs the user to perform a number of steps for adjusting the suspension components. In one embodiment, the application does not communicate with sensors on the vehicle. In another embodiment, the application may communicate with various sensors located on the vehicle to provide feedback to the device during the setup routine. In one embodiment, the device may analyze a digital image of a suspension component to provide feedback about a physical characteristic of the component.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2018Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.Inventors: Mario Galasso, Joseph Franklin, Andrew Laird, Charles Bass, Ryan Bavetta
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Patent number: 10739444Abstract: Methods and systems for combining return signals from multiple channels of a LIDAR measurement system are described herein. In one aspect, the outputs of multiple receive channels are electrically coupled before input to a single channel of an analog to digital converter. In another aspect, a DC offset voltage is provided at the output of each transimpedance amplifier of each receive channel to improve measured signal quality. In another aspect, a bias voltage supplied to each photodetector of each receive channel is adjusted based on measured temperature to save power and improve measurement consistency. In another aspect, a bias voltage supplied to each illumination source of each transmit channel is adjusted based on measured temperature. In another aspect, a multiplexer is employed to multiplex multiple sets of output signals of corresponding sets of receive channels before analog to digital conversion.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2018Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignee: VELODYNE LIDAR, INC.Inventors: David S. Hall, Rajanatha Shettigara, Nathan Slattengren, Aaron Chen, Anand Gopalan
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Patent number: 10723333Abstract: A brake fluid pressure control device for a includes a wheel speed acquisition device that acquires a wheel speed, a slippage amount calculation device that calculates a wheel slippage amount, and a bad road determination device that determines whether a road surface of travel is a bad road. The bad road determination device determines whether the road surface of travel is a bad road using a bad road determination threshold value, and a value that relates to wheel behavior that is calculated based at least upon the wheel speed. The bad road determination threshold value is modified according to the wheel slippage amount. The present invention can appropriately set a bad road determination threshold value that is in accordance with a slippage amount, which corresponds to braking power, and can improve bad road determination precision without depending on variation in change of wheel speed.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2017Date of Patent: July 28, 2020Assignee: NISSIN KOGYO CO., LTD.Inventor: Teruyoshi Yamakawa
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Patent number: 10696121Abstract: Method for adjusting the damping force of shock absorbers connected between a vehicle body and a wheel at vehicle corners of a motor vehicle, wherein at least one damping force (FLIFT, FPITCH, FROLL) which is referred to a center of gravity of the vehicle body and is divided between axles of the vehicle and between the shock absorbers of the axles is determined as a function of at least one variable which represents a movement of the vehicle body and/or a movement of the respective wheel. For at least one of the damping forces which are referred to the center of gravity of the vehicle body, at least one division factor for the division of the damping forces is calculated between a front axle and a rear axle, and the division of the respective damping force (FLIFT, FPITCH, FROLL) is adapted on the basis of this division factor.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2017Date of Patent: June 30, 2020Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AktiengesellschaftInventors: Jochen Liebold, David Caredda
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Patent number: 10670106Abstract: A method for controlling vehicle motion is described. The method includes: comparing a measured acceleration value associated with a movement of a vehicle component of a vehicle with a predetermined acceleration threshold value that corresponds to the vehicle component to determine if the vehicle is experiencing a free-fall, wherein the vehicle component is coupled with a frame of the vehicle via at least one vehicle suspension damper; monitoring a state of at least one valve within at least one vehicle suspension damper of the vehicle, wherein the state controls a damping force within the at least one vehicle suspension damper; and based on the comparing and the monitoring, regulating damping forces within the at least one vehicle suspension damper by actuating the at least one valve to adjust to a soft mode and to provide a cushioned landing for the vehicle, such that an acceleration of the frame is reduced.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2018Date of Patent: June 2, 2020Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.Inventors: Everet Owen Ericksen, George O'Neal, Matt McLellan
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Patent number: 10654333Abstract: A method for regulating an active chassis of a motor vehicle as a function of road elevation profile data which lie within a prognosis for a trajectory of the motor vehicle. The prognosis of the trajectory is calculated by a mathematical model at least on the basis of steering angle data of a steering angle sensor of the motor vehicle. The prognosis of the trajectory is assigned to the road elevation profile data detected by at least one environmental sensor. Based on the prognosis, at least one actuator of the active chassis is controlled, and the prognosis of the trajectory is then used exclusively to control the active chassis when the trajectory lies in an area that was classified as navigable based on the environmental data that was detected by at least one environment sensor.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2016Date of Patent: May 19, 2020Assignee: AUDI AGInventors: Andreas Schindler, Bodo Kleickmann
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Patent number: 10618367Abstract: There is provided a damper control device and a suspension apparatus that are capable of effectively preventing a posture change such as pitching or rolling of the body of a vehicle. To achieve the above object, a damper control device of the present invention is designed to control a damping force of a damper in accordance with a rate of change in acceleration or a rate of change in angular acceleration. If there is a time delay in the rising of the acceleration acting on the vehicle body with respect to the driving operation being performed by the driver of the vehicle, the rate of change in the acceleration has a phase lead relative to the acceleration, and accordingly, the rate of change has only a short time delay with respect to the driving operation.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2016Date of Patent: April 14, 2020Assignee: KYB CORPORATiONInventor: Koichiro Awano
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Patent number: 10584975Abstract: An information processing apparatus processes information regarding autonomous driving, considering the state of a battery in a vehicle. The information processing apparatus obtains power consumption information indicating an amount of power consumption of a module used in autonomous driving of the vehicle using unit-power consumption information of the module and destination information indicating a place to which the vehicle is to travel. Then, the information processing apparatus obtains output information using the power consumption information and outputs the output information.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2018Date of Patent: March 10, 2020Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION OF AMERICAInventors: Ryota Fujimura, Yasunori Ishii, Hiroaki Urabe
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Patent number: 10559302Abstract: A domestic appliance includes a user interface for a user to input commands, a camera for taking an image of an operating area from which the user interface can be operated by the user, a speech recognition device for detecting a speech command, and a control device configured to determine a level of security depending on the image that was taken by the camera and to execute the speech command detected by the speech recognition device depending on the level of security that has been determined.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2016Date of Patent: February 11, 2020Assignee: BSH Hausgeräte GmbHInventors: Wolfgang Beifuss, Uwe Has
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Patent number: 10556638Abstract: An electronic device controls at least one bicycle component in correspondence with operation of an operation device. The electronic device includes a receiver, a memory, a first wireless transmitter, a memory and an electronic controller. The receiver receives operation information corresponding to the operation of the operation device. The memory stores an actuation command of the bicycle component in correspondence with the operation information. The electronic controller receives the operation information and transmits the actuation command corresponding to the received operation information from the first wireless transmitter. The memory is configured to allow the actuation command stored in correspondence with the operation information to be changed.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2017Date of Patent: February 11, 2020Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Taketoshi Sato, Hideki Ikemoto, Takao Harada, Daisuke Noborio, Kazuhiro Takeda, Ryuji Abe
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Patent number: 10507825Abstract: A system for vehicle pitch control during braking includes a pitch component and a rebound component. The pitch component is configured to determine that a vehicle has a forward pitch during braking. The rebound component is configured to, in response to the vehicle achieving a substantially zero forward velocity, apply brake pressure to one or more non-driven wheels using one or more brakes and apply reverse torque to one or more driven wheels using a motor or engine.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2016Date of Patent: December 17, 2019Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Hans Gangwar, Zachary Konchan, Alexander Mccollough, Leonard Eber Carrier
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Patent number: 10449821Abstract: An automobile cornering rollover prevention control system includes a controller, four hydraulic oil cylinders, a deflection measuring instrument and a rotation speed measuring instrument. The controller is mounted inside the automobile, and includes a data acquisition module, a data processing module and a data execution module, wherein the data acquisition module and the data execution module are connected to the data processing module, an input end of the data acquisition module is electrically connected to the deflection measuring instrument and the rotation speed measuring instrument, and an output end of the data execution module is connected to control ends of the four hydraulic oil cylinders respectively.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2015Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: Yancheng Institute of TechnologyInventor: Fuhao Liu
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Patent number: 10442461Abstract: Power equipment such as a riding mower 2 is provided with a center pivot axle 16 for non-driven wheels 9 thereof and a rigid axle 14 for driven wheels 8. A control unit 1 of the power equipment is configured to accelerate the left driven wheel when a right end up roll angle of the center pivot axle is detected by an axle sensor 25, and to accelerate the right driven wheel when a left end up roll angle of the center pivot axle is detected by the axle sensor when substantially no steering input of a steering device 22 is detected by a steering sensor 24 so that the power equipment may maintain a straight course.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2017Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Koji Kuriyagawa, Hajime Yoshimura, Norikazu Shimizu, Shota Tanabe
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Accurately determining real time parameters describing vehicle motion based on multiple data sources
Patent number: 10373077Abstract: A multi-modal meter of a vehicle obtains information from multiple sources to determine the most accurate values of motion parameters of the vehicle. The multi-modal meter obtains data describing motion of a vehicle from various sources including an on-board diagnostics (OBD) and global positioning system (GPS.) The dynamically evaluates the signal sources for their accuracy as the vehicle travels. The multi-modal meter selects different signal sources for different portions of a ride and uses the data from the selected signal sources to determine the most accurate motion parameters. The multi-modal meter use machine learning techniques to generate metadata used by an engine configured to determine the most accurate values of motion parameters of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2016Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: ATHENA VISION, LLCInventors: Purshotam Rajani, Gaurav R. Nukala, Gokulnath Coimbatore Kannan, Blair R. Essy -
Patent number: 10360896Abstract: A vehicle noise canceller includes a road surface condition observation unit, a speaker, and an operation controller. The road surface condition observation unit is configured to observe road surface conditions in a traveling direction of a vehicle. The speaker is configured to generate a canceling sound for canceling road noise entering a vehicle cabin of the vehicle. The operation controller is configured to control the canceling sound generated from the speaker on a basis of information received from the road surface condition observation unit.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2018Date of Patent: July 23, 2019Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATIONInventors: Katsuya Shinno, Masahiko Sato, Atsushi Horikawa, Shinji Nakabayashi, Shintaro Hanawa
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Patent number: 10301867Abstract: An anomaly detection system is provided in connection with a transport service. The anomaly detection system can monitor progress of the transport service using received location data from driver and/or user mobile devices. During the progress of the transport service, the anomaly detection system can determine a probable anomaly by determining that a geographic position of the driver's vehicle has remained static for a period of time exceeding a threshold period of time, and in response to determining the probable anomaly, transmit a notification message to at least one of the driver and user mobile devices.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2018Date of Patent: May 28, 2019Assignee: Uber Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Michael Truong, David Purdy, Rami Mawas
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Patent number: 10286745Abstract: A system for damping control for a vehicle includes a parameter component and a damping adjustment component. The parameter component is configured to determine one or more driving parameters of a vehicle. The one or more driving parameters include a velocity of the vehicle. The damping adjustment component is configured to adjust damping of suspension of the vehicle during driving based on the one or more driving parameters. The damping adjustment component is also configured to adjust damping of suspension at a zero velocity for a threshold time period in response to transitioning from a non-zero velocity to the zero velocity.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2016Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: David Michael Russell, Charles Gavin McGee, Ben Bulat, Russ Lee Norton, John Keller, Darrell Erick Butler
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Patent number: 10266163Abstract: A vehicle combination comprising a tractor vehicle and a trailer vehicle, each vehicle including wheels on different sides of the vehicle and wheel brakes associated with the wheels. A method for controlling the vehicle combination includes determining a yaw rate difference between a yaw rate of the tractor vehicle and a yaw rate of the trailer vehicle; determining, on the basis of the yaw rate difference, that an orientation of one of the vehicles deviates from an intended travel direction of the vehicle combination; and activating a wheel brake of the vehicle on only one side of the vehicle in order to counter the orientation deviation of the vehicle relative to the intended travel direction.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2016Date of Patent: April 23, 2019Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventor: Cosmin Tudosie
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Patent number: 10259473Abstract: The vehicle including an active suspension system (22) parameterized by a set of adjustment parameters. The railway track is cut into segments. For each segment (T), the method includes campaigns for optimization of the set of parameters, such that: during the first campaign, to each passage of the suspension system (22) on the segment (T), a first set of parameters, specific to this passage, is predefined and applied to the suspension system (22), and a comfort quality index is calculated, and then a metaheuristic algorithm is applied for determining second sets of parameters, and during each following optimization campaign, at each passage of the suspension system over the segment, one of the determined sets of parameters by the previous optimization campaign is applied to the suspension system, and the comfort quality index is calculated, and then the metaheuristic algorithm is applied in order to determine new sets of parameters.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2017Date of Patent: April 16, 2019Assignee: ALSTOM TRANSPORT TECHNOLOGIESInventor: Frédéric Hallonet
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Patent number: 10241328Abstract: A near-to-eye display device includes a spatial light modulator and a microdisplay. The spatial light modulator provides a high-resolution focused image for central vision. The microdisplay provides a low-resolution defocused image for peripheral vision. The display has a large field of view.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2014Date of Patent: March 26, 2019Assignee: CY Vision Inc.Inventors: Hakan Urey, Erdem Ulusoy
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Patent number: 10232846Abstract: Example ride control systems and methods are described. In one implementation, a method receives a request to initiate a drive session to help a baby fall asleep in a vehicle. The method identifies a driving route for the drive session and implements the drive session by following the driving route. One or more vehicle-mounted sensors determine whether the baby in the vehicle has fallen asleep during the drive session.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2017Date of Patent: March 19, 2019Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Scott Vincent Myers, Mohamed Ahmad, Jinesh J Jain, Lisa Scaria
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Patent number: 10183588Abstract: A battery system includes a lithium ion battery that couples to an electrical system. The battery system also includes a battery management system that electrically couples to the lithium ion battery and controls one or more recharge parameters of the lithium ion battery. Additionally, the battery management system monitors one or more parameters of the lithium ion battery. Further, the battery management system controls the recharge parameters of the lithium ion battery based on at least one lithium plating model and the monitored parameters. Furthermore, the at least one lithium plating model indicates a relationship between the one or more parameters of the lithium ion battery and a likelihood of lithium plating occurring in the lithium ion battery.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2016Date of Patent: January 22, 2019Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Zhihong Jin, Zhenli Zhang, Timur L. Aliyev, Brian C. Sisk, Miaomiao Ma
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Patent number: 10137964Abstract: An electrical bicycle operating system comprises a first switch to generate a first transmission control signal, a second switch to generate a second transmission control signal, and a control unit to electrically operate at least one of an electrical bicycle seatpost assembly, an electrical suspension, and a driving unit configured to output an assist force when both the first switch and the second switch are operated concurrently.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2016Date of Patent: November 27, 2018Assignee: SHIMANO INC.Inventors: Yuta Kurokawa, Atsushi Komatsu
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Patent number: 10118609Abstract: A sprung vibration estimation unit is configured to calculate a pitch rate of a vehicle body based on the wheel speeds detected by wheel speed sensors. A vibration suppression driving force calculation unit is configured to calculate a vibration suppression driving force for suppressing pitching of the vehicle body based on the pitch rate. An integration unit is configured to calculate a vehicle body speed based on a driver required driving force. A second sprung vibration estimation unit is configured to calculate a pitch rate of the vehicle body (vehicle body speed pitch rate) generated by a change in the vehicle body speed. A determination unit is configured to output a cutoff command for the vibration suppression driving force to an adjustment unit when the vehicle body speed pitch rate is more than a threshold.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2016Date of Patent: November 6, 2018Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Hirofumi Momose
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Patent number: 10119705Abstract: Systems and methods for use with water-fuel supply to industrial engines are provided. A method for controlling water supplied to an engine may include using both a desired water-fuel ratio, and a compensated fuel flow. This compensated fuel flow may be calculated by a controller-implemented complementary filter, which may include receiving, by the controller, a first signal and a second signal. The complementary filter may subtract the second signal from the first signal to create an error signal, lag the error signal to create a lagged error signal, and add the lagged error signal to the second signal to create a compensated signal. The controller may calculate a water flow request using a desired water-fuel ratio and the compensated signal.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2016Date of Patent: November 6, 2018Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventor: Andrew B. Thompson
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Patent number: 10123199Abstract: An anomaly detection system is provided in connection with a transport service. The anomaly detection system can construct routine route profiles for individual users of the transport service using historical route data. The anomaly detection system can monitor a current route traveled by a user. The anomaly detection system can further identify a matching routine route profile of the respective user. The anomaly detection system can utilize the matching routine route profile to identify a probable anomaly in the current route. In response to detecting the probable anomaly, the anomaly detection system can enable a safety protocol to perform a number of actions.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2017Date of Patent: November 6, 2018Assignee: Uber Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Michael Truong, David Purdy, Rami Mawas
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Patent number: 10112607Abstract: A driving support device includes a processing device that performs driving support by controlling in-vehicle equipment having an influence on running of a subject vehicle equipped with the driving support device. The processing device is configured to repeatedly obtain and store, at a predetermined time interval or a predetermined distance interval, a pair of values of longitudinal acceleration and lateral acceleration that are generated as a result of a driving operation performed by a driver, the longitudinal acceleration being an acceleration in a traveling direction of the subject vehicle, the lateral acceleration being an acceleration in a direction orthogonal to the traveling direction, and set at least one parameter of a support operation for performing the driving support, on the basis of a plurality of pairs each being the pair of the values of the longitudinal acceleration and the lateral acceleration repeatedly obtained and stored.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2016Date of Patent: October 30, 2018Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventor: Yuki Nakada
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Patent number: 10086668Abstract: A vehicle includes a chassis and a vehicle body supported by the chassis. At least one dynamically adjustable body mount connects the vehicle body to the chassis. The at least one dynamically adjustable body mount includes a selectively adjustable parameter. One or more vehicle sensors is associated with the vehicle. The one or more vehicle sensors is operable to detect one or more vehicle parameters. A control system is operatively connected to the at least one dynamically adjustable body mount and the one or more vehicle sensors. The control system is operable to alter the selectively adjustable parameter of the at least one dynamically adjustable body mount to substantially isolate the body from road and vehicle induced vibration in response to at least one of the one or more vehicle parameters and the one or more road surface parameters.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2017Date of Patent: October 2, 2018Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Wallace J. Hill, Mark A. Gehringer, Michael E. McGuire
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Patent number: 10040481Abstract: A trailer angle detection system for a vehicle includes a camera disposed at a rear portion of the vehicle and viewing rearward of the vehicle. A plurality of ultrasonic sensors is disposed at the rear portion of the vehicle and sense rearward of the vehicle. A control has at least one processor operable to process image data captured by the camera. Responsive to processing of image data captured by the camera, the control detects a trailer rearward of the vehicle and in the field of view of the camera. The at least one processor is operable to process sensor data captured by the ultrasonic sensors to determine a distance to portions of the trailer rearward of the vehicle. Responsive to processing of captured image data and processing of captured sensor data, the trailer angle detection system is operable to determine an angle of the trailer relative to the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2017Date of Patent: August 7, 2018Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.Inventor: Krishna Koravadi
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Patent number: 9934572Abstract: A system for locating an imaged hitch point between a vehicle and a trailer is provided herein. An imaging device is configured to capture images of the trailer. A controller is configured to select two images captured by the imaging device and derive an edge map for each of the two images. The controller determines the location of the imaged hitch point based on differences in pixel intensity associated with a number of predefined pixel positions common to the two images.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2015Date of Patent: April 3, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Zheng Hu, John P. Joyce
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Patent number: 9925842Abstract: A damper system and method for a vehicle includes a shock absorber and a damper module. The shock absorber includes a plurality of digital valves. The shock absorber is operable at one of multiple damping states based on a valve state of the digital valves. The damper module is coupled to each of the digital valves and controls each of the digital valves to a desired state based on a damper setting. The damper module determines a target damping state, where the target state is one of the multiple damping states. The damper module performs a switch operation to control the valve state of the plurality of digital valves to a given desired state when the target damping state is different from a present damping state.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2015Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.Inventors: Scott S. Dunaway, David R. Blankenship, Karl C. Kazmirski, Jeroen K. Paenhuysen, Jeffrey T. Gardner
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Patent number: 9902311Abstract: A control system of a self-driving vehicle (SDV) can process sensor data from a sensor system of the SDV to autonomously control acceleration, steering, and braking systems of the SDV along a current route. Based on the current route, the control system can dynamically determine a set of immediate actions to be performed by the SDV. Based on the set of immediate actions, the control system can generate a set of intention outputs on a lighting strip of the SDV, the set of intention outputs indicating the set of immediate actions prior to the SDV executing the set of immediate actions.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2016Date of Patent: February 27, 2018Assignee: Uber Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Matthew Sweeney, Thomas Pilarski, William Payne Ross, Chenggang Liu
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Patent number: 9889717Abstract: A damping force control apparatus controlling a damping force control value for a damper whose damping force is set by the damping force control value includes: a relative velocity estimation device estimating a relative velocity of a vehicle wheel with respect to a vehicle body; and a damping force calculation device determining the damping force control value to control vibration of the vehicle body based on control input variables of the vehicle body and an estimated relative velocity, wherein the relative velocity estimation device includes an estimated damping force calculation section, a delay correction section, and a relative velocity calculation section, and the delay correction section corrects the estimated damping force and varies delay correction terms to reduce divergence between an actual measured relative velocity and the estimated relative velocity in different damping coefficients of the damper.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2015Date of Patent: February 13, 2018Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Akihito Yamamoto, Wataru Tanaka, Takafumi Makino
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Patent number: 9883371Abstract: An anomaly detection system is provided in connection with a transport service. The anomaly detection system can construct routine route profiles for individual users of the transport service using historical route data. The anomaly detection system can monitor a current route traveled by a user. The anomaly detection system can further identify a matching routine route profile of the respective user. The anomaly detection system can utilize the matching routine route profile to identify a probable anomaly in the current route. In response to detecting the probable anomaly, the anomaly detection system can enable a safety protocol to perform a number of actions.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2017Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: Uber Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Michael Truong, David Purdy, Rami Mawas
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Patent number: 9836901Abstract: A method of managing student arrival and student dismissal is executed within a remote server as the remote server is communicably coupled with at least one automobile identification (AI) device. The AI device scans an incoming vehicle in order to identify at least one authorized profile. The authorized profile is assigned to a student profile and recognize as one of the driver profiles within the remote server. Upon validation of the authorized profile, the remote server generates an updated instruction that includes at least one student management instruction and at least one additional instruction that are accessed and defined by parent profiles or faculty profiles. Then the updated instruction is sent from the remote server to a selected computing device so that the student arrival and student dismissal can be processed.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2016Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Inventor: Mark H. Ruiters
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Patent number: 9831922Abstract: A system for determining tread wear of a tire includes a first wireless communication chip located at an inner surface of the tire and a second wireless communication chip located at an outer surface of the tire. The second chip resides in a slot extending through a housing located in a groove in a tread of the tire. The second chip moves in the slot toward the bottom of the groove in response to the tread wear. Methodology entails transmitting a first signal from a first chip, receiving the first signal at the second chip, transmitting a second signal from the second chip in response to receipt of the first signal, receiving the second signal at the first chip, computing a time delay between transmission of the first signal and receipt of the second signal, and determining tread wear of the tire in response to the time delay.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2016Date of Patent: November 28, 2017Assignee: NXP B.V.Inventor: Robert Lindsay Robinson
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Patent number: 9723469Abstract: An anomaly detection system is provided in connection with a transport service. The anomaly detection system can construct routine route profiles for individual users of the transport service using historical route data. The anomaly detection system can monitor a current route traveled by a user. The anomaly detection system can further identify a matching routine route profile of the respective user. The anomaly detection system can utilize the matching routine route profile to identify a probable anomaly in the current route. In response to detecting the probable anomaly, the anomaly detection system can enable a safety protocol to perform a number of actions.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2016Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: Uber Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Michael Truong, David Purdy, Rami Mawas
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Patent number: 9643466Abstract: A vehicle includes a suspension corner connecting the vehicle's road wheel to the vehicle's body and characterized by a ride height at the suspension corner. An actuator at the suspension corner is configured to selectively extend and contract in response to a volume of received pressurized fluid to selectively increase and reduce the ride height. The actuator includes a locking device configured to selectively restrain the piston in a predetermined position and release the piston, and includes an actuation mechanism for activating the device to restrain the piston in the predetermined position. A controller is configured to determine if a change in the ride height is required and to assess if the piston is restrained by the locking device. If the piston is restrained by the locking device and the change in ride height is required, the controller releases the piston via the device and then changes the ride height.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2016Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Brian D. Christoff, John K. Dagg, Robert G. Izak, Christian E. Thomas
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Patent number: 9640165Abstract: An active vibration noise control apparatus is provided. When a vehicle speed changes thereby to change frequency characteristics (peak-amplitude frequency) of vibration noise, the active vibration noise control apparatus refers to a vehicle speed versus frequency correspondence table representing a correspondence relation between a vehicle speed of a vehicle and a frequency of a reference signal, and changes the frequency of the reference signal that is used by an adaptive notch filter.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2012Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kosuke Sakamoto, Toshio Inoue
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Patent number: 9628001Abstract: An apparatus for controlling force of a magnetic lead screw actuator includes a magnetic lead screw actuator, an external control module and at least one sensor device integrated within the magnetic lead screw actuator. The magnetic lead screw actuator includes an electric machine, a rotor, and a translator. The rotor includes a rotor magnet assembly forming first helical magnetic threads along the rotor and the translator includes a translator magnet assembly forming second helical magnetic threads along the translator. Rotation of the rotor by the electric machine effects linear translation of the translator by interaction of the first and second helical magnetic threads. The external control module is electrically operatively coupled to an electric machine controller of the magnetic lead screw actuator.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2015Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignees: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, AALBORG UNIVERSITYInventors: Klaus Trangbaek, Vladimir Suplin, Rasmus Koldborg Holm, Nick Ilso Berg, Peter Omand Rasmussen
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Patent number: 9597940Abstract: A method of on-demand energy delivery to an active suspension system is disclosed. The suspension system includes an actuator body, a hydraulic pump, an electric motor, a plurality of sensors, an energy storage facility, and a controller. The method includes disposing an active suspension system in a vehicle between a wheel mount and a vehicle body, detecting a wheel event requiring control of the active suspension; and sourcing energy from the energy storage facility and delivering it to the electric motor in response to the wheel event.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2015Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Assignee: ClearMotion, Inc.Inventors: Zackary Martin Anderson, Marco Giovanardi, Clive Tucker, Jonathan R. Leehey, Colin Patrick O'Shea, Johannes Schneider, Vladimir Gorelik, Richard Anthony Zuckerman, Patrick W. Neil, Tyson David Sawyer, Ross J. Wendell
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Patent number: 9555813Abstract: A method of preventing instability in a vehicle-trailer combination (10) is provided. The method comprises monitoring relative movement between the vehicle (20) and the trailer (30) using optical sensing means; determining a trailer yaw condition in dependence on a signal output from the optical sensing means; comparing the determined trailer yaw condition to a predetermined threshold yaw condition; and when the determined trailer yaw condition is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold yaw condition, outputting an alert signal indicative of the onset of instability in the vehicle-trailer combination.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2013Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover LimitedInventor: Giovanni Strano