Abstract: A warning system for a vehicle having an air suspension system can include an indicator, an event data recorder, and a controller. The controller can be configured to determine a load on a front axle and a rear axle when the vehicle is in a static condition and compare the determined load on the front and rear axles to a predetermined load threshold for each of the front and rear axles. A warning signal can be provided to the indicator indicative of at least one of the determined loads exceeding the corresponding predetermined load threshold upon the controller determining one of the determined loads exceeds the corresponding predetermined load threshold. Data indicative of at least one of the determined loads exceeding the corresponding predetermined threshold can be communicated to the event data recorder.

Abstract: A bicycle component control apparatus is basically provided with a communication interface and a controller. The communication interface is configured to communicate with at least one electric bicycle component and at least one manually operated input member. The controller is electrically coupled to the communication interface, and programmed to control the at least one electric bicycle component based on operation of the at least one manually operated input member. The controller is programmed to decide an operation mode of the at least one electric bicycle component differently based on a number of manually operated input member coupled to the controller via the communication interface.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A method for operating a shock-absorber system with shock-absorber devices, in particular switching shock-absorber devices, wherein discretely selectable shock-absorber characteristic curves are provided. The method determines a driving behavior of the driver and/or of the motor vehicle on the basis of one or more driving state data items and/or one or more operating variables and, in automatic mode, automatically sets a shock-absorbing behavior of the shock-absorber system by selecting one of the selectable shock-absorber characteristic curves of the shock-absorber devices as a function of the determined driving behavior.

Abstract: Suspension control and method for controlling a damper device of a bicycle that includes a damper device having a controllable damping valve. The damper device serves to dampen a relative motion between a first and a second component. A control device and a memory device are provided. The control device and the memory device define a characteristic damper curve which is characteristic of a correlation between a damping force and a characteristic parameter of the relative motion between the first and second components. At least one electric operating device is provided by means of which the defined characteristic damper curve can be modified in at least two sections of the characteristic damper curve while riding.

Abstract: A control apparatus (10) includes a position detection unit (108) which detects a position of a mover of a linear motor (20) based on a change in an output signal from a magnetic sensor (27), a position control unit (102) which calculates a speed command value based on the position of the mover detected by the position detection unit (108) and a position command value of an external input, an estimation unit (150) which estimates a moving speed of the mover from a current value of a current flowing to a plurality of coils of the linear motor (20), a speed control unit (104) which calculates a current command value based on the speed command value and the estimated moving speed, and a power converter (106) which supplies power to the plurality of coils according to the current command value.

Abstract: A vehicle control system includes: a controller that configured to obtain an index on the basis of a running condition of a vehicle and that configured to vary a running characteristic of the vehicle on the basis of the index, wherein the controller is configured to relatively delay a variation in the index in response to a variation in the running condition when the variation in the index decreases quickness of a behavior of the vehicle as compared with when the variation in the index increases the quickness of the behavior of the vehicle, and to correct the running characteristic on the basis of the index so that energy efficiency of a driving force source of the vehicle varies within a predetermined range depending on control over power output from the driving force source.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for controlling a semi-active suspension system (1) for motorcycles are described. According to the present invention, the damping forces applied to controllable force generators (2, 3), such as controllable shock absorbers, provided to the front and the rear semi-active suspensions of a motorcycle are jointly controlled. In particular, the pitch velocity (Vp) of the suspended mass (Ms) is taken into account so as to jointly control the front and rear suspension systems of a motorcycle. The present invention allows the optimization of the global adherence of the motorcycle to the road surface and of the driving and the travelling comfort of the vehicle.

Abstract: A driver advice system for a vehicle having at least one vehicle subsystem (12a-12e) comprises selection means (20) for receiving at least one driving condition indicator for the vehicle and for selecting, from a plurality of settings, a preferred setting for the at least one vehicle subsystem in response to the at least one driving condition indicator. The driver advice system includes an indication means for providing to the driver an indication of the preferred setting for one or more of the vehicle subsystems (12a-12e).

Abstract: A damping control system for a vehicle having a suspension located between a plurality of ground engaging members and a vehicle frame includes at least one adjustable shock absorber having an adjustable damping characteristic. The system also includes a controller coupled to each adjustable shock absorber to adjust the damping characteristic of each adjustable shock absorber, and a user interface coupled to the controller and accessible to a driver of the vehicle. The user interface includes at least one user input to permit manual adjustment of the damping characteristic of the at least one adjustable shock absorber during operation of the vehicle. Vehicle sensors are also be coupled to the controller to adjust the damping characteristic of the at least one adjustable shock absorber based vehicle conditions determined by sensor output signals.

Abstract: Road-going assembly consisting of a vehicle comprising a front axle and a rear axle, and of a set of tires which are mounted on their mounting rim in order to be fitted to the front axle and the rear axle of this vehicle, the tires of the rear axle having grooves the mean depths of which are at least equal to 3 mm and at most equal to 5 mm, the tires of the front axle having grooves the mean depths of which are greater than 5 mm, this road-going assembly having, at least in the case of the rear axle, static setups (camber, toe-in) of close to zero, that is to say a camber of each wheel-tire assembly on the said axle of between ?0.8 degrees and +0.8 degrees and a toe-in at each wheel of between ?0.15 degrees and +0.15 degrees, the static setups of the tires of one and the same axle being equal in terms of absolute value and symmetric with respect to a plane perpendicular to the road surface.

Abstract: A switchable mount system includes a switchable mount and an electronic control unit for switching the switchable mount between a first damping mode and a second damping mode. A method for controlling the switchable mount includes controlling the mount according to vehicle speed information, engine torque information, variable cylinder management information, and brake information. At least one of the damping modes may be tuned to damp vibrations approximately in the range approximately between 30 Hz and 60 Hz.

Abstract: The height of a vehicle can be estimated inexpensively by: detecting a wheel speed, which is a speed of each wheel; performing frequency analysis of the detected wheel speed of a pair of left and right wheels and calculating respective wheel speed characteristics of the left and right wheels at a gain-specific frequency; calculating a left-right wheel speed gain difference on the basis of the calculated wheel speed characteristics of the left and right wheels; and estimating the vehicle height on the basis of a corresponding relationship between a wheel height of the wheel with respect to a vehicle body and a value (wheel speed/road surface input gain) that is based on wheel speed and a road surface input that is inputted from the road surface to the wheels, and on the basis of the left-right wheel speed gain difference.

Abstract: A vehicle having a system for determining that there is a possibility that the vehicle has or is about to enter water at a vehicle wading depth. In response to determining that there is a possibility that the vehicle has or is about to enter water at a vehicle wading depth, the system is configured to implement one or more vehicle control strategies. The system comprises at least one remote sensor configured to remotely detect the presence of water about or ahead of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle control device includes a sensor and a controller. The sensor detects wheel speed. The controller estimates sprung mass state based on detected information in a prescribed frequency range. The controller controls a variable-damping force shock absorber to bring the estimated sprung mass state to a target sprung mass state. The controller estimates wheel rim braking/drive torque acting on a wheel. The controller determines the estimation accuracy of the sprung mass state has deteriorated when a rate of change of a stationary component extracted from components of wheel rim braking/drive torque acting on a wheel is detected to equal or exceed a prescribed value. The controller controls the variable-damping force shock absorber to a more limited extent than when the estimation accuracy has not deteriorated.

Abstract: A power source attitude control is performed to suppress changes in the sprung mass behavior of a vehicle, and damping force control for damping force variable shock absorbers is performed to suppress changes in the sprung mass behavior. When the stroke speed is low, the saturation degree of the damping force variable shock absorbers is set smaller than the saturation degree when the stroke speed is high.

Abstract: A motor assembly comprises an electric power train that is adapted to be connected to a power source and is also adapted to impart a torque to a wheel when the motor assembly is operating. The assembly further comprises a power determination means adapted to determine the amount of power supplied from the power source to the electric power train when the motor assembly is operating. In addition, the assembly comprises a rotational speed determination means adapted to determine a rotational speed of the wheel when the motor assembly is operating. Moreover, the assembly comprises a torque determination means adapted to determine a command torque value indicative of a requested torque to the wheel.

Abstract: A vehicle control system includes a control portion configured to determine a single parameter based on a running condition of a vehicle, and determine control amounts for a plurality of actuators provided in the vehicle based on the parameter. A relation of the control amount for each of the plurality of actuators to the parameter is predetermined. The control portion is configured to, when the parameter is determined, determine the control amounts for the respective actuators based on the parameter, and control the actuators based on the determined control amounts.

Abstract: A device may estimate crosswind by a vehicle controller according to driver steering inputs indicative of driver intention and crosswind disturbance inputs indicative of a potential crosswind condition. The device may, if the estimated crosswind exceeds a predetermined threshold, utilize the vehicle controller to correct the crosswind condition to reduce vehicle control demand on the driver, the automatic correction including at least one of a steering angle adjustment and suspension stiffness adjustment.

Abstract: An active suspension system for a vehicle including elements for developing and executing a trajectory plan responsive to the path on which the vehicle is traveling. The system may include a location system for locating the vehicle, and a system for retrieving a road profile corresponding to the vehicle location.

Abstract: In order to control a behavior generated on a body as a result of a travel of a vehicle, an electronic control unit controls rotation of each of in-wheel motors, thereby generating a predetermined braking force or driving force approximately the same in magnitude on each wheel. Meanwhile, the electronic control unit uses respective pipelines and a direction control circuit depending on the behavior generated on the body to connect fluid pressure cylinders on a fluid pressure supplying side and fluid pressure cylinders on a fluid pressure supplied side to each other for communication. As a result, the fluid pressure cylinders convert vertical forces of the body acting as component forces of a predetermined braking/driving force into hydraulic pressures and supply the fluid pressure cylinders with the hydraulic pressures, and the fluid pressure cylinders convert the supplied hydraulic pressures into vertical forces, thereby exerting the vertical forces on the body.

Abstract: The present invention is provided with: a traveling state detection means that detects the traveling state of a vehicle; a target attitude control amount computation means that computes the target attitude control amount of the vehicle on the basis of the traveling state; a attitude control amount computation means that computes the attitude control amount controlled by an actuator other than a shock absorber on the basis of the target attitude control amount; and an damping force control means that controls the damping force of the shock absorber on the basis of the target attitude control amount and the attitude control amount.

Abstract: An active wheel damper. An active suspension damps vertical displacement of an unsprung mass in a frequency range and reduces vertical displacement of a sprung mass in another frequency range.

Abstract: Techniques are described for visualizing a roadway transition along an ascertained route course for a navigation device. In an implementation, the navigation device may include a display and a data processing device to identify a roadway transition from a first road onto a second road along an ascertained route course and present navigation information in a first and second operating mode. The second operating mode may include roadway transition visualization generated by dynamically superpositioning a first visualization layer, which may include road characteristics and location information, and a second visualization layer, which may include the ascertained route course along the identified roadway transition.

Abstract: A damping-force-adjustable-damper control device includes a target damping force setting unit which sets target damping force, a stroke position detecting unit which detects a stroke position of the damping-force adjustable damper, a stroke speed calculating unit which calculates a stroke speed, and a target output calculating unit which calculates a target output value to be output to the damping-force adjustable damper in accordance with an obtained target damping force and an obtained stroke speed. The control device also includes a processing-period setting unit which sets the processing periods of the stroke speed calculating unit and the target output calculating unit in accordance with a resonant frequency of unsprung mass, and which sets the processing period of the target damping force setting unit to be longer than the processing periods of the stroke speed calculating unit and the target output calculating unit in accordance with a resonant frequency of sprung mass.

Abstract: A vibration analyzer with an integrated sensor and method are provided to sense a vibration in a component of a vehicle. The vibration analyzer includes a three-axis accelerometer, a controller, a connector, a wireless interface and a battery. The vibration analyzer receives vibration data and vehicle data and packages them together and transmits the packaged data to a remove device such as a scan tool. The vibration analyzer can be networked with the remote device or with another vibration analyzer.

Abstract: A control method for an active suspension of a vehicle, wherein the determination of an optimal camber angle of the active suspension includes the steps of: estimating the slip angle of the wheel of the active suspension; estimating the vertical force which weighs on the wheel of the active suspension; estimating the transverse force which is transferred to the ground by the wheel of the active suspension as a function of the slip angle of the wheel of the active suspension and as a function of the vertical force which weighs on the wheel of the active suspension; and determines the optimal camber angle as a function of the transverse force which is transferred to the ground by the wheel of the active suspension.

Abstract: An apparatus of automatic vehicle suspension system is provided. Road conditions are precisely monitored for reducing vibrations of cabin. Uneven road surface is crossed over through fast expansion and compression of shock absorber just in time. The present invention uses real-time control of an active suspension system to build road contour at real time. At the same time, control signals having better suspension dynamic characteristics are updated at real time for further obtaining a superior and precise suspension system.

Abstract: An active suspension system senses roadway defects and adjusts an active and controllable suspension system of the vehicle before tires come in contact with the defect. The active suspension system identifies a type of defect or debris, e.g., pothole, bump, object, etc., along with the size, width, depth, and/or height information of the defect to more accurately control operation of the suspension system to prepare for, or avoid contact with the roadway defects and obstacles. Imaging techniques are employed to identify the defect or debris. Operation of a serviced cruise control system is controlled to enhance passenger safety and comfort.

Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle includes detecting vibration in a drivetrain of the vehicle with a fore/aft accelerometer during a launch event. An operating regime of the vehicle is identified concurrently with the detected vibration when the detected vibration is outside a predefined allowable range. A control strategy of the drivetrain is adjusted to define a revised control strategy to avoid the identified operating regime. The revised control strategy is applied to control the drivetrain to mitigate vibration in the drivetrain.

Abstract: A method of adjusting an air suspension system comprises detecting with a positioning system that the vehicle is approaching a park location and reporting the park location is approaching to an electronic control unit for the air suspension system. A vehicle speed is determined and compared to a predetermined speed threshold, with the electronic control unit. The electronic control unit selects a park mode for the suspensions system when the vehicle is approaching the park location and when the vehicle speed is below the predetermined threshold. Air supply for the air suspension system is controlled to adjust the corner assemblies for the air suspension system to lowered positions associated with the park mode.

Abstract: A vehicle control device includes a variable-damping-force shock absorber, a sprung mass vibration damping control, an unsprung mass vibration damping control device, and a damping force control device configured to calculate a damping force control amount on the basis of a sprung-mass vibration damping control amount when the sprung-mass vibration damping amount is greater than an unsprung-mass vibration damping control amount, calculating a damping force control amount on the basis of the unsprung-mass vibration damping amount so as to maintain the damping force distribution factor when the sprung-mass vibration damping amount is equal to or less than the unsprung-mass vibration damping amount, and controlling the damping force of the variable-damping-force shock absorber.

Abstract: An active vehicle suspension system includes an active damping mechanism operatively coupled to a vehicle wheel and configured for controlling a damping force applied to the wheel responsive to a control signal. A controller is operatively coupled to the damping mechanism and configured for generating a control signal to the damping mechanism responsive to velocity of the wheel in a downward vertical direction.

Abstract: A method for controlling an active suspension system of a vehicle during a curb parking operation, so as to position a portion of the vehicle on a street and a portion of the vehicle on a curb. The method includes steps of activating a curb parking function of the active suspension system, acquiring inputs pertinent to the curb parking operation, and determining, by a controller, if a curb parking operation is feasible for the vehicle. If a curb parking operation is deemed infeasible, an operator of the vehicle is notified that the curb parking operation is infeasible. If a curb parking operation is deemed feasible, actuatable elements of the active suspension system are controlled to facilitate curb parking.

Abstract: The magnitude of a linear damping coefficient Cs is set so as to decrease the greater a maximum amplitude value ? of an intermediate frequency sprung acceleration is. In the case where a damping force control apparatus carries out control for dampening vibrations of a sprung member using a nonlinear H-infinity control theory, the linear damping coefficient Cs is set to a high value when the maximum amplitude value ? of the intermediate frequency sprung acceleration inputted to a suspension apparatus is low. Accordingly, a requested damping force Freq also increases, which makes it possible to quickly dampen vibrations in the sprung member. Meanwhile, in the case where the maximum amplitude value ? of the intermediate frequency sprung acceleration is high, the linear damping coefficient Cs is set to a low value.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for outputting horn sounds using a touch pattern. The apparatus includes: a storage unit configured to store horn sounds matched to various touch patterns; a touch detection unit equipped in a steering wheel of a vehicle configured to detect a driver's touch; a touch pattern recognition unit configured to recognize a driver's touch pattern detected by the touch detection unit; a controller configured to identify a horn sound corresponding to the touch pattern recognized by the touch pattern recognition unit from the storage unit, and to send it to a horn output unit; which allows a user to control what sounds are output by the horn using nothing more than simple touch gestures. Additionally, the apparatus and method enable a user to produce different horn outputs to correspond to different situations.

Abstract: A vehicle control device includes a variable-damping-force shock absorber, a front wheel speed sensor, a rear wheel speed estimation device, a damping force control amount calculation device configured to calculate a damping force control amount for the variable-damping-force shock absorber according to frequency scalar quantities, when the front wheel speed detected by the front wheel speed sensors and the size of an amplitude of a frequency of the rear wheel speed estimated by the rear wheel speed estimation device are frequency scalar quantities, and a damping force control device configured to control the damping force of the variable-damping-force shock absorber on the basis of the damping force control amount calculated by the damping force control amount calculation device, the rear wheel speed estimation device prohibiting the estimation of the real wheel speed when a vehicle speed is equal to or greater than a high vehicle speed threshold value.

Abstract: A driving state estimator unit configured to detect a state quantity indicating vehicle body orientation, and a control unit configured to control vehicle body orientation using drive force from an engine when the absolute value of the amplitude of the detected state quantity is less than a second predetermined value, and using force generated by a second orientation control device instead of the drive force from the engine when the absolute value of the amplitude is equal to or greater than the second predetermined value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus relating to a driveline and suspension system for a vehicle and, more particularly, methods and systems for driveline-suspension coupling in a narrow multi-track leaning vehicle with three or more wheels and with at least two driving wheels. There are provided graphical and computational methods for determining driveline and suspension geometries for narrow multi-track vehicles, as well as apparatuses including the geometric configurations, and exhibiting improved driveline-suspension coupling behaviors.

Abstract: A vehicle control system for at least one vehicle subsystem of a vehicle; the vehicle control system comprising a subsystem controller for initiating control of the or each of the vehicle subsystems in a selected one of a plurality of different subsystem control modes, each of which corresponds to one or more different driving conditions for the vehicle. Evaluation means are provided for evaluating one or more driving condition indicators to determine the extent to which each of the subsystem control modes is appropriate and for providing an output to the subsystem controller that is indicative of the control mode which is most appropriate. This may be an evaluation means for calculating the probability that the or each of the subsystem control modes is appropriate. Automatic control means may be operable in an automatic response mode to select an appropriate one of the subsystem control modes in dependence on the output.

Abstract: A method of managing a vehicle load comprises measuring for one of a plurality of tire pressures with a tire sensor associated with each of the plurality of tires and a plurality of pressures and heights with a plurality of suspension sensors associated with each of a plurality of corner assemblies for an air suspension system. The vehicle load is calculated for each of the plurality of corner assemblies with an ECU based on the measured data. At least one load dependent vehicle characteristic is calculated based on the vehicle load at the individual corner assemblies with the ECU. At least one vehicle operating parameter is adjusted to compensate for the at least one load dependent vehicle characteristic.

Abstract: A sprung mass damping control system of a vehicle, which aims to suppress sprung mass vibration generated in a vehicle body of a vehicle provided with at least a motor-generator (first and second motor-generators) as a drive source, includes a sprung mass damping control amount calculating device that sets a sprung mass damping control amount for suppressing the sprung mass vibration, and a drive source control device (a motor-generator control device) that executes sprung mass damping control by controlling a motor-generator control amount of the motor-generator to realize the sprung mass damping control amount.

Abstract: A control method is provided for a vehicle, especially a utility vehicle trailer, that has at least one lifting axle that can be lowered and raised in a controllable manner and/or at least one steered axle that can be locked and unlocked in a controllable manner, and that also has a control device operable to control the lifting axle and/or the steered axle. When the vehicle is traveling in reverse, the control device automatically generates a control signal that lowers the lifting axle, and/or automatically generates a control signal that unlocks the steered axle. The control device can be embodied as an electronic control unit having a processor suitably programmed to carry out the foregoing process steps. The control device can be incorporated into a vehicle control system for a vehicle having an anti-lock braking system or an electronically controlled braking system.

Abstract: A vehicle crash safety system includes a pre-crash sensing system configured for gathering and/or receiving target vehicle ride-height data, and at least one actuator operatively coupled to the sensing system and configured for adjusting a height of a portion of a host vehicle responsive to a command from the sensing system. A timing of the command is responsive to an estimated dynamic response time of the at least one actuator.

Abstract: In a vehicle control device, a dynamic characteristics description unit includes a model element simulating dynamic characteristics of motion or deformation of a controlled object. By using the model element, this unit simulates hysteresis characteristics caused during a process of motion or deformation of the controlled object based on at least one of an estimated value of the input manipulated variable and an estimated value of a disturbance input inputted in the controlled object, and defines a control target index of a motion state of the controlled object. A correction amount computing unit calculates a correction amount which adjusts the manipulated variable in such a way that the control target index related to the hysteresis characteristics becomes a desired state. A command output unit corrects manipulated variable based on the correction amount to produce a command for the corrected manipulated variable to output it to the controlled object.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for an actively variable shock absorbing system for actively controlling the load response characteristics of a shock absorbing strut. In one embodiment the shock absorbing system comprises a controllable valve adapted for actively varying a load response characteristic of the shock absorbing strut. The shock absorbing system further comprises an electronic control system comprising an input for receiving a signal from a sensor, an algorithm adapted to determine an optimal position for the controllable valve in view of the sensor signal, and an output for sending a control signal to the controllable valve to place the valve in the optimal position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a control system for a motor vehicle, especially for a commercial vehicle that has a box body supportable on a chassis, with at least one detection means generating detection data for detecting the road profile in front of the vehicle in the direction of travel and a control device for controlling at least one controllable spring and/or damper unit depending on the detected data, wherein the at least one spring and/or damper unit for suspension and damping of the box body in the direction of a vertical axis of the vehicle can be connected to the box body and the chassis.

Abstract: A suspension system and a method for controlling a suspension system for a muscle-powered two-wheeled vehicle having a damper device with a first damper chamber and a second damper chamber coupled with one another via a controllable damping valve. A sensor is provided for capturing data about a current operational state. An electric control device and a data storage device for controlling the damper device are provided, such that at least one damping characteristic of the damper device can be influenced by a signal from the control device. The control device is configured and organized to provide a teaching mode in which route-related data are stored in the memory. The control device is furthermore configured and organized to provide a repeat mode in which the damper device is controlled according to the route-related data stored in the memory device.

Abstract: A method for controlling an active suspension is disclosed. The method includes steps of determining a dimension of a road abnormality ahead of the vehicle; comparing the dimension with a vehicle dimension; responsive to the comparison, classifying the abnormality as one type of a plurality of predetermined types; responsive to a dimension of the abnormality, further classifying the abnormality as having a severity of one type of a plurality of predetermined types; and controlling the suspension responsive to the abnormality type and severity type.

Abstract: A vehicle body vibration estimating device for estimating a vehicle body vibration as a sprung mass of a vehicle where wheels are suspended via a suspension device. The vehicle body vibration estimating device includes a wheel speed physical quantity detecting section and a vibration estimating section. The wheel speed physical quantity detecting section detects a wheel speed physical quantity related to wheel speed, which is a circumferential velocity of a wheel. The vibration estimating section estimates the vehicle body vibration from a correlation relationship between displacements in a back-and-forth direction and displacements in an up-and-down direction of the wheels with respect to the vehicle body, and the wheel speed physical quantity detected by the wheel speed physical quantity detecting section.