Artificial Intelligence (e.g., Fuzzy Logic) Patents (Class 701/44)
  • Patent number: 11945459
    Abstract: In a method for operating a motor vehicle during an autonomous parking process it is proposed that during the autonomous parking process a first braking torque is applied automatically to at least a first wheel, and a second braking torque is applied automatically to at least a second wheel, that a slip of one of the wheels is inferred from a comparison of the rotational speed of the first wheel to which the first braking torque is applied with the rotational speed of the second wheel to which the second braking torque is applied, and that if a variable characterizing the slip reaches or exceeds a limiting value, an action is automatically triggered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Frank Baehrle-Miller
  • Patent number: 11841708
    Abstract: Techniques for compensating for errors in position of a vehicle are discussed herein. In some cases, a discrepancy may exist between a measured state of the vehicle and a desired state as determined by a system of the vehicle. Techniques and methods for a planning architecture of an autonomous vehicle that is able to provide maintain a smooth trajectory as the vehicle follows a planned path or route. In some cases, a planning architecture of the autonomous vehicle may compensate for differences between an estimated state and a planned path without the use of a separate system. In this example process, the planning architecture may include a mission planning system, a decision system, and a tracking system that together output a trajectory for a drive system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Zoox, Inc.
    Inventors: Janek Hudecek, Marin Kobilarov, Jack Riley
  • Patent number: 11753070
    Abstract: A method and system for compensating for vehicle disturbances during vehicle operation, including: an algorithm for obtaining predicted driving condition data from a database, wherein the database includes one or more of geospatial data and remote vehicle data; an algorithm for obtaining real-time vehicle state data from equipment communicatively connected to a vehicle; an algorithm for combining the predicted driving condition data and the real-time vehicle state data to formulate a desired steering torque request necessary to compensate for predicted and actual driving conditions experienced by the vehicle; and an algorithm for providing the desired steering torque request to a power steering assist system of the vehicle to compensate for the predicted and actual driving conditions experienced by the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventors: Anders Hansson, Andreas Carlsson, Markus Löfgren, Carl-Johan Häll, Håkan Karlsson
  • Patent number: 11685434
    Abstract: A method of controlling rear wheel steering in a vehicle including determining a stability state of the vehicle from a plurality of vehicle sensor inputs, determining a target vehicle performance based on the stability state of the vehicle, and determining a target rear angle of rear vehicle wheels based on a difference between a target vehicle characteristic and a model vehicle characteristic, wherein the target vehicle performance promotes agility and stability to a target model at different times based on the stability state of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mahmoud Abdelfatah
  • Patent number: 11544235
    Abstract: A smart storage container apparatus and method, the apparatus comprising at least one storage compartment and a display, and is configured to download basic local configuration information corresponding to the apparatus, locally adjust the downloaded information according to local conditions of content of the at least one storage compartment, and based on the adjusted configuration information, adapt a local configuration database. Additionally, a method comprising downloading basic local configuration information corresponding to a smart storage apparatus comprising, locally adjusting the downloaded information according to local conditions of content of the at least one storage compartment, and based on the adjusted configuration information, adapting a local configuration database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: 19LABS INC.
    Inventors: Ram Adva Fish, Gerald Charles Horel
  • Patent number: 11505186
    Abstract: A vehicle control device includes: a target traveling path setting unit that sets a target traveling path of an own vehicle; a reference position setting unit that sets a reference position of the own vehicle for specifying a position of the own vehicle with respect to the target traveling path; and a control unit that controls a steering assist amount of a steering wheel, based on a positional deviation being a deviation between the target traveling path set by the target traveling path setting unit and the reference position of the own vehicle set by the reference position setting unit. The reference position setting unit changes the reference position according to a vehicle speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Ohmura
  • Patent number: 11458955
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a steering system for a machine, the steering system comprising: a steer-by-wire system configured to provide rear wheel based steering, the steer-by-wire system comprising: a human-machine-interface (HMI) configured to provide a force feedback to the HMI that influences the HMI to a center position; plural sensors; and one or more controllers configured by executable code to receive input from one or more of the plural sensors and reduce a risk of rollover by: causing the rear wheels to maintain or return to straight forward travel in conjunction with the force feedback; and limiting a steering angle of the machine, beyond which a rollover condition occurs, based on computation of a rollover equation with parameters corresponding to the input and machine geometry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventor: Christian Roberto Kelber
  • Patent number: 11260877
    Abstract: A method for selecting a driving profile of a motor vehicle, a driver assistance system therefor and a motor vehicle equipped therewith is disclosed. In the method and based on an operating action by a driver, a deviation between the number of predetermined driving profiles currently desired by the driver and that previously used is recognized. After the deviation has been recognized, a query is output to the driver as to whether the deviation should be taught by the driver assistance system for the current situation. After the query has been confirmed by the driver, the driver assistance system is accordingly adapted for the current situation in at least one parameter influencing the selection of the driving profile to be used such that the deviation in the automatic selection of the driving profile to be used in future situations that correspond to the current situation is taken into account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Julia Gohlke, Paul Hochrein, Holger Spahr
  • Patent number: 11198445
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the driving assistance of a vehicle, a system including the same and a method for the same are provided. The apparatus for controlling the driving assistance of the vehicle includes a processor to adjust a driving assistance controlling setting value, based on at least one of whether a user looks ahead, whether the user performs a driving manipulation, and a driving condition during driving assistance of the vehicle, and a storage to store the driving assistance controlling setting value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jin Kwon Kim, Kyoung Jun Lee, Dong Gu Lee, Byoung Joon Lee, Sam Yong Kim
  • Patent number: 11077853
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for controlling lane-keeping. An embodiment provides an apparatus for controlling lane-keeping, including a sensing unit configured to recognize lane lines of a driving lane in which a host vehicle travels and configured to sense a plurality of other vehicles traveling in the driving lane or lanes next to the driving lane, a calculation unit configured to calculate a first transverse separation distance between the sensed other vehicles or a second transverse separation distance between the host vehicle and the other vehicles, a determination unit configured to determine an optimum position of the host vehicle within the driving lane by comparing space widths for the calculated first transverse separation distance and the calculated second transverse separation distance, and an output unit configured to output a speed control signal to control a travel speed of the host vehicle so as to have the host vehicle located at the determined optimum position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventor: ChangBeom Oh
  • Patent number: 11008001
    Abstract: A vehicle control device (100) includes a deceleration controller (110) that operates according to an operation of an occupant of a vehicle or on the basis of a result of detecting a state of the occupant, and performs at least control of decelerating the vehicle, and a lane change controller (150) that causes the vehicle to change a lane independently of a steering operation of the occupant of the vehicle, and at least a part of the control of the deceleration controller is restricted when an operation condition of the deceleration controller and an operation condition of the lane change controller are satisfied at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masayuki Nakatsuka, Haruhiko Nishiguchi, Hiroyuki Koibuchi
  • Patent number: 10933875
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicle turning control device which prevents a target yaw rate from being unstable, even if a control gain is changed in accordance with the magnitude of a yaw rate deviation or a road surface frictional coefficient. This vehicle turning control device includes a target yaw rate correction (32). The correction (32) calculates a target yaw rate with respect to the control gain determined based on a vehicle traveling information, using at least one of a plurality of calculated target yaw rates. The control gain is determined such that, as a road surface frictional coefficient decreases or as a yaw rate deviation increases, a yaw response characteristic approaches a basic yaw response characteristic from an initial yaw response characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yuta Suzuki
  • Patent number: 10926775
    Abstract: A driving evaluation system evaluates driving skills of a vehicle by a driver, and includes an in-turn data acquisition unit that acquires in-turn data including time series data of longitudinal acceleration and lateral acceleration in a turning scene; and a turning scene evaluation unit that evaluates driving skills in the turning scene on the basis of a shape of a trajectory of time series data from a starting point at which the longitudinal acceleration becomes a maximum to an ending point at which an absolute value of the lateral acceleration becomes a maximum, among the in-turn data in a case in which the longitudinal acceleration upon deceleration is positive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hideyuki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 10919521
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a smart parking assist system (SPAS) and a method of controlling the smart parking assist system. The system and method detect an obstacle that is located on a path to a parking space for automatic parking and is not detected by a sensor of a vehicle using a target speed, a moving speed, and a driving torque of the vehicle, control the vehicle to pass over the obstacle according to a position of the detected obstacle, or change an automatic parking termination condition and complete the automatic parking, thereby detecting the obstacle even though the obstacle is not detected by a sensor in the process of controlling the automatic parking and completing the automatic parking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jae Suk Kim
  • Patent number: 10821976
    Abstract: A navigation system includes: a control circuit configured to calculate a current location for representing a control vehicle traveling in a traffic lane, calculate a travel-lane identification for identifying the traffic lane, generate a vehicle movement control based on the travel-lane identification for controlling a physical operation or function of the control vehicle; and a vehicle storage circuit, coupled to the control circuit, configured to store the vehicle movement control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Telenav, Inc.
    Inventor: Sarvesh Bansilal Devi
  • Patent number: 10800443
    Abstract: According to one or more embodiments described herein, a steer by wire steering system includes a pair of actuators, a handwheel actuator that provides a commanded position to a roadwheel actuator, which moves a rack of the vehicle to a rack position based on the commanded position from the handwheel actuator. The steer by wire steering system further includes a controller that generates a handwheel torque command, the handwheel actuator generates a feedback torque based on the handwheel torque command. The controller further computes a tracking error based on a difference between the commanded position and the rack position. The controller further determines a catch motor torque value using the tracking error. The controller further modifies the handwheel torque command using the catch motor torque, the handwheel actuator generates an amount of torque that is substantially a sum of the feedback torque and the catch motor torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Steven D. Klein, Kai Zheng, Scott T. Sanford
  • Patent number: 10755119
    Abstract: A plausibility check module for a vehicle driver assistance system, including at least one sensor for detecting the vehicle surroundings, and Kl-module(s) to classify objects in the surroundings based on the sensor data supplied by the sensor with an internal processing chain established by parameters, the plausibility check module receiving pieces of reference information about objects in the surroundings supplied by other vehicles and/or by an infrastructure, and comparing the pieces of reference information with the classification result by the Kl-module and to initiate at least one measure for a deviation established by the comparison, so that the parameters of the processing chain of the Kl-module are adapted to the effect that the deviation is reduced in comparable situations. Also described are a driver assistance system having the plausibility check module and Kl-module(s), a method for calibrating a sensor for detecting the vehicle surroundings, and an associated computer program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Maxim Dolgov, Thomas Michalke, Florian Wildschuette, Hendrik Fuchs, Ignacio Llatser Marti
  • Patent number: 10733510
    Abstract: A computing system can determine a vehicle action based on inputting vehicle sensor data to a first neural network including a first safety agent that can determine a probability of unsafe vehicle operation. The first neural network can be adapted, at a plurality of times, by a periodically retrained deep reinforcement learning agent that includes a second deep neural network including a second safety agent. A vehicle can be operated based on the vehicle action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Subramanya Nageshrao, Hongtei Eric Tseng, Dimitar Petrov Filev, Ryan Lee Baker, Christopher Cruise, Leda Daehler, Shankar Mohan, Arpan Kusari
  • Patent number: 10507835
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system for controlling cornering of a vehicle and a method thereof. The method of controlling cornering of a vehicle may include: determining whether a cornering control condition is satisfied based on a lateral acceleration; detecting a displacement of an accelerator pedal when the cornering control condition is satisfied; calculating a sport index based on the displacement of the accelerator pedal and a predetermined value; and setting operating modes of a power train and a suspension system based on at least one of the sport index or the lateral acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, KIA Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Sangjun Park, Joseph D. Chang, Byeong Wook Jeon, Tae Hee Cho
  • Patent number: 10466150
    Abstract: An electromagnetic induction type Hopkinson pressure/tension bar loading device and experiment method therefor. The device not only can generate compression stress waves but also can generate tension stress waves through the electromagnetic induction principle, and is applied to the loading of a Hopkinson tension bar and a pressure bar. Thus, the loading systems for a Hopkinson tension bar and a pressure bar can simultaneously achieve the strain rate and strain range, which the traditional split Hopkinson bar experiment cannot reach, on the same device, so that the Hopkinson bar experiment technology is standardized, and the experiment devices for a tension bar and a pressure bar are integrated, thereby reducing complexity and floor space of equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Northwestern Polytechnical University
    Inventors: Yulong Li, Hailiang Nie, Tao Suo, Zhongbin Tang
  • Patent number: 10220853
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an own vehicle that is a vehicle carrying the apparatus in a proper manner taking into account driver's driving maneuver tendencies is provided. The apparatus acquires travel situation information including target information regarding a target or targets around the own vehicle and travel information regarding the own vehicle, and if the travel situation information meets a prescribed travel condition, acquires driving maneuver information regarding a driving maneuver performed by the driver of the own vehicle. The apparatus stores, as a learned value, the driving maneuver information acquired by the second information acquirer in association with the prescribed travel condition, and performs automatic driving control based on the learned value stored by the learner in association with the prescribed travel condition met by the travel situation information currently acquired by the first information acquirer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Toshiya Habu
  • Patent number: 10220844
    Abstract: A vehicle having a system for detecting another vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle includes a vehicle sensor configured to sense a steering angle and a yaw rate of the vehicle. The vehicle also has a computing system configured to detect another vehicle within an adjustable angular range from a point of the vehicle. The angular range for detecting another vehicle is adjusted using at least one of the vehicle's current steering angle and yaw rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: HUYNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: HyeongMin Ko, Jaewoong Choi, Dae Seok Jeon
  • Patent number: 9751553
    Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a steering column assembly is provided. The assembly includes a mounting bracket, a steering column adjustable in a telescope direction and a rake direction, at least one actuator assembly configured to translate the steering column in the telescope direction and/or the rake direction, and a controller configured to drive the at least one actuator assembly to sequentially or simultaneously telescope and/or rake the steering column in a predefined geometric pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jacob A. Caverly, Gerald M. McCann
  • Patent number: 9483927
    Abstract: A method and control system for maintaining attentiveness of a driver of a vehicle during an autonomous control mode. A series of cognitively demanding tasks is presented to the driver via a man-machine interface during the autonomous control mode. Driver responses to the tasks are monitored, and an audible alert is provided to the driver if the response of the driver and/or a reaction time of the driver in making the response indicate an insufficient level of driver attentiveness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stefan Wolter, Florian Golm
  • Patent number: 9399449
    Abstract: A vehicle travel control device includes a control instruction value calculation unit, a driver acceleration intent quantification unit, and a control instruction value correction determination unit that determines whether correction of a control instruction value is required in response to a quantified driver's acceleration intent. The vehicle travel control device also includes a control instruction value correction unit that corrects the control instruction value in response to a correction determination result of the control instruction value correction determination unit. The driver acceleration intent quantification unit quantifies the driver's acceleration intent using an integral value of the longitudinal jerk occurring according to the brake operation of the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiichiro Nagatsuka, Makoto Yamakado, Mitsuhide Sasaki, Mikio Ueyama
  • Patent number: 9053593
    Abstract: The invention provides a vehicle data analysis method that enables quantitative analysis of characteristics of vehicle data indicating transition in a driver's driving operation, and a vehicle data analysis system using this analysis method. A plurality of vehicle data are collected based a plurality of types of driving operations. Based on an evaluation criterion as an index for evaluating levels of the driving operations, the collected vehicle data are grouped into at least two groups. Characteristic values of the vehicle data differing between these groups are extracted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, THE UNIVERSITY OF TOKYO
    Inventors: Hironobu Sugimoto, Shojiro Takeuchi, Satomi Yoshioka, Yoshihiro Suda, Yoichi Sato, Takayuki Hirasawa, Daisuke Yamaguchi, Shuguang Li
  • Patent number: 9043092
    Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus capable of automatic steering control while reducing discomfort or stress on vehicle occupants. In the apparatus, a lane detection unit detects a lane in which the vehicle is traveling. An offset setting unit sets an offset within the lane suitable for making a driver feel less stressed. An occupant detection unit detects the presence of a designated occupant of a seat opposite a driver's seat. An offset adjustment unit, when the designated occupant is detected, adjusts the offset set by the offset setting unit to be decreased. A vehicle-path estimation unit estimates a vehicle path in the lane such that the vehicle can travel along the vehicle path from a current lateral position to a target lateral position of the vehicle. An automatic steering control unit automatically controls steering so that the vehicle travels along the estimated vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignees: Nippon Soken, Inc., DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yusuke Ueda, Motonori Tominaga, Tomohiko Tsuruta, Takeshi Hatoh
  • Patent number: 8996252
    Abstract: An ECU includes two drive circuits corresponding to the motor coils of two systems independent of each other, and a microcomputer that outputs control signals of two independent systems to the drive circuits. The microcomputer includes a first control signal output portion that outputs the control signal to the drive circuit of the first system by executing an electric current control so as to generate a motor torque that corresponds to the assist force. The microcomputer further includes a second control signal output portion that outputs the control signal to the drive circuit of the second system by executing a position control on the basis of a steering angle command value that is input from a superior ECU via an in-vehicle network so as to change the steering angle of the steering road wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8965633
    Abstract: One or more vehicle steering measurements of a vehicle may be measured. One or more expected vehicle steering measurements may be calculated, each calculated expected vehicle steering measurement corresponding to one of the measured vehicle steering measurements. At least one difference between one of the measured vehicle steering measurements and its corresponding calculated expected vehicle steering measurement may be calculated. A speed of the vehicle may be measured. One or more current threshold values may be calculated based on the measured speed, each of the current threshold values corresponding to one of the measured vehicle steering measurements and its corresponding calculated expected vehicle steering measurement. An automatic vehicle control system may be deactivated when one or more of the calculated differences exceeds its corresponding current threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jin-Woo Lee, Bakhtiar Brian Litkouhi
  • Patent number: 8958975
    Abstract: A motor-vehicle driving style estimating system (100) of a motor-vehicle, comprising a measuring apparatus (1) of a kinematic signal representative of a motor-vehicle motion quantity trend (v(t)). The system is characterized in that it further comprises a kinematic signal low-pass filtering module (8) configured to provide a corresponding reference filtered signal associated with a reference trend of said quantity (vF(t)). Furthermore, the system comprises a kinematic signal and reference filtered signal processing module (2) configured to provide an indication of the driving style depending on a comparison of the motor-vehicle motion trend with the reference trend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Teleparking S.R.L.
    Inventors: Sergio Matteo Savaresi, Vincenzo Manzoni, Andrea Corti
  • Patent number: 8954236
    Abstract: A device combining motor driven power steering with a compressor, may include a deceleration gearbox connected to a steering shaft, a motor selectively providing a steering force to the deceleration gearbox, a first electronic clutch mounted between the deceleration gearbox and a first shaft of the motor, and transmitting or discontinuing transmission of power from the motor to the deceleration gearbox, a power transmitting gear set transmitting power from the motor to a compressor, a second electronic clutch mounted between a second shaft of the motor and an input side of the power transmitting gear set, and transmitting or discontinuing transmission of power from the motor to the power transmitting gear set, and the compressor for an air conditioner, connected to an output side of the power transmitting gear set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Dae Suk Jung, Un Koo Lee, Soo Bo Park
  • Patent number: 8897930
    Abstract: This application describes the software invented to control an electric motor system. The electric motor system is mounted on one or more aircraft main wheels or nose wheels to drive an aircraft independently on the ground without aircraft engines or tow vehicles. The software uses closed-loop control together with several other control laws to operate the drive motor or motors. Knowledge of the current operating state of the drive motor, together with knowledge of the commands given to taxi forward, taxi in reverse, or brake in reverse, is used to configure the motors to optimal operating parameters. The software architecture is described along with the pilot interface and many details of software implementation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Inventor: Janice Ilene Bayer
  • Patent number: 8897960
    Abstract: A driving assistance control apparatus includes an own-vehicle position acquiring unit that acquires the position of an own vehicle; a curve information acquiring unit that acquires curve information on a driving course; a continuous curves detecting unit that detects a first curve ahead of the own vehicle and a second curve that exists at a far side of the own vehicle with respect to the first curve and that is continuous to the first curve, based on the acquired position of the own vehicle and the acquired curve information; and a curve alert control unit that controls a curve alerting unit that alerts the presence of the second curve before an entrance of the second curve. The curve alert control unit sets the alert timing of the second curve in accordance with the curve information about the first curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Hiroshi Sekine
  • Patent number: 8897966
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide methods and apparatus for reducing steering effort in a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method for installing a steering-assist system onto a vehicle having an electrically powered steering system is provided. The method includes placing a controller between a torque sensor and an electronic control unit (ECU) disposed on the vehicle, coupling a primary signal line from the torque sensor to be in electrical communication with the controller, and coupling a secondary signal line to the controller to be in electrical communication with the ECU, wherein, when movement is detected by the torque sensor, the torque sensor provides a primary signal to the controller and the controller provides a secondary signal to the ECU, the secondary signal being different than the primary signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Inventors: Carlos A. Saez, Alejandro Javier Goldsmith Llorenz, Neil Emerson Rollano Conde
  • Patent number: 8892309
    Abstract: A vehicle steering control apparatus is provided with: a first setting device for setting a first target steering angle of rear wheels according to a steering wheel operation of a driver; a second setting device for setting a second target steering angle of the rear wheels which does not work with the steering wheel operation by the driver and which is associated with automatic steering; a controlling device for controlling a steering angle of the rear wheels on the basis of the set first and second target steering angles; and a limiting device for limiting an influence of the first target steering angle on the steering angle of the rear wheels in accordance with a driving condition of the vehicle if the set first and second target steering angles have a mutually anti-phase relation, the limiting device limiting an influence of the second target steering angle on the steering angle of the rear wheels in accordance with the driving condition of the vehicle in preference to the first target steering angle if th
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Fujita, Mitsutaka Tanimoto, Yoshiaki Tsuchiya
  • Patent number: 8880295
    Abstract: A control system for controlling a steering system near an end of travel region is provided. The control system includes a first module that selectively estimates a command adjust value based on a hand wheel position and a hand wheel torque. A second module generates a motor assist command based on the command adjust value to control the steering system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony J. Champagne, Lonnie Newton
  • Patent number: 8862331
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a controller for a steering apparatus having easy operation of an adjustment of a tilting angle. The steering apparatus comprises a tilting mechanism adjusting a tilting angle of a steering wheel, and an electrical motor driving the tilting mechanism. The controller for the steering apparatus 1 detects the tilting angle based on a rotational angle of the screw shaft. The controller defines the predetermined supplying current according to the detected amount of the tilting angle as the supplying current to the electrical motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Eiji Tanaka, Tomihide Masuda
  • Patent number: 8797186
    Abstract: A parking assistance system is described for assisting in a parking operation of a vehicle when a plurality of parking spaces is present. A method in a parking assistance system includes performing the following: detecting a plurality of parking spaces; selecting one of the detected parking spaces based on a degree of comfort; and assisting in the parking operation into the selected parking space. The degree of comfort includes at least one predefined condition, on the basis of which the detected parking spaces are classifiable according to the presumed driver acceptance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Pampus, Volker Niemz
  • Patent number: 8775024
    Abstract: A steering damper system for a saddle riding type vehicle having an MR damper includes a damping force calculating unit arranged to calculate a damping force according to a steering angle speed, and an adjusting command output unit arranged to determine a running state from a vehicle speed and a steering angle detected by sensors, with reference to a reference table, and correcting the damping force calculated according to the running state. The reference table has areas divided by a steering angle range according to vehicle speed, and damping force adjustment factors according to running states are assigned to these areas. The steering angle range dividing the areas becomes narrower with an increase in vehicle speed, to accurately reflect the running states of the vehicle. A proper damping force can be generated according to a running state of the vehicle. The steering damper system eases the rider's burden accompanying steering operations, and is excellent in controllability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuo Hara, Yasuhiro Oomura
  • Patent number: 8775025
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a steering system which does not cause the driver to feel the steering reactive force shock when the operation of the steering wheel is stopped, and which enables the driver to operate the steering wheel comfortably. In order to achieve the above object, there is provided a steering system in which a transfer ratio of a steering angle of a steering wheel to a turning angle of a turning wheel is changed by a variable transfer ratio mechanism, and an auxiliary power is generated during steering by an electric power steering, including: a transfer ratio variable motor for changing the transfer ratio, in which a steering angular velocity of the steering wheel is calculated, and when an absolute value of the steering angular velocity becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value, a current value flowing through the transfer ratio variable motor is set to zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takuya Yamaguchi, Yoshimitsu Akuta
  • Patent number: 8768571
    Abstract: A vehicle steering device has an electric power abnormality detection portion that detects abnormality of the source power supply capability of an electric power source device, a vehicle speed detection portion that detects the vehicle speed, and a motor control portion that controls the driving of the electric motor on the basis of the steering torque detected by the steering torque detection portion. The motor control portion enhances the output restriction of the electric motor if the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detection portion declines while the abnormality of the source power supply capability of the electric power source device is detected by the electric power abnormality detection portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masaharu Yamashita
  • Patent number: 8744689
    Abstract: To provide a vehicle motion control system capable of defining clear guidelines on more specific control timing associated with accelerating, steering, and braking operations, and conducting motion control based on the defined guidelines. An ideal motion control unit 42 within a central controller 40 uses longitudinal jerk information of a vehicle to control the steering of the vehicle. Information for determining the initiation timing of steering is presented from a human-vehicle interface (HVI) 55 to a driver. In accordance with the information presented from the HVI 55, the driver controls the initiation timing of steering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Yamakado, Atsushi Yokoyama, Masato Abe
  • Patent number: 8718874
    Abstract: A raster-based system for global navigation satellite system (GNSS) guidance includes a vehicle-mounted GNSS antenna and receiver. A processor provides guidance and/or autosteering commands based on GNSS-defined pixels forming a grid representing an area to be treated, such as a field. Specific guidance and chemical application methods are provided based on the pixel-defined treatment areas and preprogrammed chemical application prescription maps, which can include variable chemical application rates and dynamic control of the individual nozzles of a sprayer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: AgJunction, LLC
    Inventors: John A. McClure, Dennis M. Collins
  • Patent number: 8660754
    Abstract: The invention provides a steering system for a vehicle, a ship etc. The steering system has a steering handle for the operator of the vehicle, a set of signal processors, a sensor which determines a position of the steered element of the vehicle, and a controller which moves the steered element. The steered element could e.g. be the front wheels of a car. The signal processors are adapted to determine an error between the desired position of the steered element and an actual position of the steered element. In order to make the steering system more fault tolerant, the error signal is amplified based on the speed by which the steering handle is moved, and an error in the sensor therefore becomes less critical. The invention further provides a steering method, a steering control unit and a vehicle provided with a steering system of the mentioned kind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Sauer-Danfoss Aps
    Inventors: John Kristensen, Preben Albrecht, Steve Crow, Kjeld Buus Jensen
  • Patent number: 8655551
    Abstract: A method and a device for the assisted parking of a motor vehicle into a parking space are provided. The method comprises the following method steps: approaching the parking space; measuring the parking space using sensors situated on the motor vehicle; calculating a setpoint parking path and indicating the setpoint parking path on a display; indicating the actual parking path on the display such that the actual parking path may be adapted to the setpoint parking path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Danz, Jan Egelhaaf, Wei-Chia Lee, Benjamin Steiner
  • Patent number: 8565975
    Abstract: A method and a device for controlling a driver assistance system using an LKS function of a vehicle, in which the LKS function is activated within predefinable boundary values and is deactivated outside these system boundaries. According to the invention, in response to the deactivation of the LKS function during cornering of the vehicle, the LKS function is transferred from a regulation to a control, in such a way that, during the cornering, the driver continues to be supported by a system torque in the transverse guidance of the vehicle at least over a certain stretch of path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Lutz Buerkle, Tobias Rentschler, Thomas App
  • Patent number: 8565974
    Abstract: In view of the matter that an abnormality occurred in an operating portion of a control system comes out in an early stage as a result of the control, while it takes a time for an abnormality occurred in the generation of a controlling amount for controlling the operation of an operating portion to come out, in ceasing the control when an abnormality has occurred in the control system the controlling amount is decreased at a higher speed when the abnormality of the controlling amount was judged than a speed at which the operation of the operating device is decreased when the abnormality of the operating device was judged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Advics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiro Kojo, Masato Suzumura, Yoshiaki Tsuchiya, Kenji Asano
  • Patent number: 8565978
    Abstract: A steering wheel movement sensing apparatus for an agricultural vehicle comprising a magnetic ring configured to fit around the steering column such that it turns in unison with the steering wheel. The minimum number of magnetic poles on the ring is not defined, but a ring having at least 36 poles enables the movement sensor to detect steering wheel movement of 10 degrees. At least two hall-effect sensors fixed in a stationary position adjacent to the magnetic ring generate signals of fluctuating value as the magnetic poles pass enabling wheel movement and the extent of wheel movement to be derived. By specifically adjusting the position of the hall-effect sensors in relation to each other, the resultant output signals can also be used to determine the direction of movement of the steering wheel. Outputs from the sensing apparatus can be used to disengage an automated vehicle guidance system upon detection of steering wheel movement and to provide input to a self-cancelling turn signal system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Inventors: Scott A. Elkins, Ian A. R. McLaren, Peter J. Dix, Mark D. Klassen, Jerry L. Brinkley
  • Patent number: 8560176
    Abstract: The invention refers to a steering device and a method for controlling a steering device with steering power support means for a motor vehicle with at least one steerable road wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Presta AG
    Inventors: Imre Benyo, Imre Szepessy, Dóra Szabolcs, Miklos Aranyi
  • Patent number: 8554418
    Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus includes a temperature sensor measuring a temperature at a starting of a vehicle, a motor position sensor detecting a relative steering angle of a motor, a cumulative transfer calculation unit calculating a cumulative transfer quantity of a rack bar by information detected in the motor position sensor, a counter calculating an elapsed time from a starting time of the vehicle, a friction coefficient determination unit determining a friction coefficient according to information inputted from the temperature sensor, the cumulative transfer quantity calculation unit, and the counter, respectively, by using a setting map of a friction coefficient, and a target current calculation unit calculating a compensation quantity for a friction by using the friction coefficient determined in the friction coefficient determination unit and determining a target current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Mando Corporation
    Inventor: Seong Joo Kim