Cooperative Or Multiple Control (e.g., Suspension And Braking) Patents (Class 701/48)
  • Patent number: 8423244
    Abstract: A method and device for controlled damping of a vehicle stores a set of controller parameters R1 to Rn for controlling the damping of the unloaded vehicle as a function of the dynamic driving situation thereof 1 to n, detect a loading condition b of the vehicle, adapt the set of controller parameters R1 to Rn as a function of the detected loading condition b to a set of controlled parameters R1b to Rnb, and dams the vehicle as a function of the set of controller parameters R1b to Rnb as a function of the dynamic driving situation thereon 1 to n.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Uwe Proemm, Alexander Meske, Martin Froehlich
  • Patent number: 8423243
    Abstract: In a vibration-damping controlling apparatus for performing vibration-damping control which is control to suppress sprung vibration occurring in a vehicle by controlling torque generated in a wheel of the vehicle, the vibration-damping control is inhibited by making magnitude of vibration-damping torque as a torque for vibration damping capable of suppressing the sprung vibration different from the magnitude of the vibration-damping torque when learning of an air-fuel ratio is not performed, during the learning of the air-fuel ratio at the time of operation of an engine as a power source of the vehicle. According to this, it becomes possible to inhibit the vibration-damping control and control of learning correction of the air-fuel ratio from interfering with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenji Harima
  • Publication number: 20130090815
    Abstract: A gearbox arrangement (1), which is arranged in a drive train of a multi-axle land vehicle (2), in particular a commercial vehicle, or a similar means of transportation, wherein at least one of said axles is driven, wherein at least one planetary drive (8) is associated with each of the axle halves (5) of a driven axle. The gearbox arrangement comprises at least one sensor device (7) for detecting a steering manipulation on the vehicle (2) and a control device (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Inventor: Werner Muller
  • Publication number: 20130085642
    Abstract: The invention proposes a system that uses a novel method to analyze the surface being about to be traversed by a vehicle. The system can be used to enhance vehicle safety and control. The system makes use of AER cameras such as the Silicon Retina. The Silicon Retina is used monitor the surface to be traversed, and a processing unit analyzes the surface based on the signal provided by the Silicon Retina. The proposed surface analysis method carried out by the system surpasses state-of-art analysis methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: HONDA RESEARCH INSTITUTE EUROPE GMBH
    Inventor: Andrew Alexander DANKERS
  • Publication number: 20130085641
    Abstract: The automobile described herein employs an aerodynamic chassis control system to limit and/or control the affect of yaw and roll created by environmental and operating conditions on an automobile with minimal penalty to improve ride comfort and performance of the automobile. The aerodynamic chassis control system employs various movable stabilization elements to control yaw and roll. Moreover, aerodynamic chassis control system constantly monitors environmental and operating conditions of the automobile and adjusts the stabilization elements to provide ride comfort and automobile performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark E. Mares
  • Patent number: 8412436
    Abstract: A hill start assistance method for a user of a vehicle having a braking system and an electronic braking control, provided with at least one master cylinder pressure sensor, whereby the pressure on each caliper of the vehicle can be controlled. The method includes: estimating the torque transmitted by the clutch, recording information corresponding to the value of the master cylinder pressure resulting from a user's actuation of the brake pedal, and recording the information recorded corresponding to the value of the master cylinder pressure when the user actuates the brake pedal again by pressing harder on the pedal or partially releasing same. When the user releases the brake pedal fully, the braking system maintains the pressure on the calipers for a predetermined period of time, as a function of a pressure set value equal to the value of the last item of information recorded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Renault S.A.S.
    Inventors: Mickael Mallet, Richard Pothin
  • Patent number: 8406961
    Abstract: A reconfigurable vehicle user interface system is presented. A vehicle user interface has a touch sensitive input devices such as touchpads and a touch screen that have specific function commands mapped to them. A user can select which function commands are mapped to which portions of the touch screen. This allows a user to customize the steering wheel function commands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Rabindra Pathak, Peter Veprek, Kem Gallione, Tsuyoshi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8398277
    Abstract: An illumination controller comprise at least one sensor configured to sense position and motion of an operator of a banking vehicle, an illumination adjustment actuator, and a controller configured to determine angular velocity and/or linear acceleration, and banking angle of the vehicle from the sensed position and motion signals. The controller controls the illumination adjustment actuator to direct the illumination in anticipation of and during a turn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Inventors: Billie Brandt Fritz, Toby John Lloyd
  • Publication number: 20130066526
    Abstract: A vehicle entertainment system is controlled responsive to gestures that are formed by a passenger of the vehicle. The vehicle entertainment system includes a display device, at least one gesture control camera, and a processor. The gesture control camera generates a camera signal responsive to light reflected from at least one object within a field of view of the at least one gesture control camera. The processor analyzes the camera signal to identify a gesture made by a passenger moving the at least one object, and controls at least one operation of the vehicle entertainment system responsive to the identified gesture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventors: Christopher K. Mondragon, Brett Bleacher, William W. Allen, David Reichert
  • Patent number: 8396655
    Abstract: A control system for a motor vehicle includes: (a) at least one driving data sensor for acquiring driving data characterizing a driving state of the motor vehicle; (b) at least one camera for capturing images of the surroundings; (c) an accident recorder that can record the images of the surroundings in a buffer; and (d) an electronic controller for controlling the driving data sensor, the camera, and the accident recorder. The electronic controller is programmed to trigger an autonomous braking action of the motor vehicle based on driving data and/or images of the surroundings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: WABCO GmbH
    Inventors: Karsten Breuer, Thomas Dieckmann, Hartmut Kitterer
  • Patent number: 8395491
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for controlling driving stability of a vehicle wherein a number of input variables are used to control the driving speed of the vehicle to a limit speed. In order to prevent unstable driving conditions in a pre-controlled manner, a model-based stable limit speed of the vehicle is determined on the basis of measured variables that are detected by means of detection devices and represent the current steering angle and the current lateral acceleration, by including other quantities of the vehicle and/or the driving situation, and the driving speed is compared to the model-based stable limit speed of the vehicle, and based on the comparison result, the driving speed is adapted to the limit speed when the driving speed exceeds the limit speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. OHG
    Inventors: Martin Kümmel, Schahrad Schafiyha, Henning Raulfs
  • Publication number: 20130060429
    Abstract: The damage sensing apparatus includes: a data collecting unit disposed at each of a side rear-view mirror of the vehicle and an inner portion of the vehicle to collect a side region of the vehicle and a situation of a door region of the inner portion of the vehicle as data; a data analyzing unit analyzing the data collected from the data collecting unit to analyze a danger object approaching an outer side of the vehicle and the situation of the door region of the inner portion of the vehicle; and a controlling unit controlling operations of a drive train of the vehicle and the door based on a signal analyzed from the data analyzing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventor: Moo Seop KIM
  • Patent number: 8392062
    Abstract: A method and a device for assisting a driver of a vehicle to avoid collisions with obstacles are provided, in which method at least one obstacle is detected by way of at least one surroundings sensor, and data of the obstacle are ascertained. On the basis of the data of the obstacle and data of the vehicle, a vehicle deceleration that is favorable for assistance of an evasive operation is ascertained, and the vehicle is correspondingly decelerated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Fred Oechsle, Wolfgang Branz, Christian Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20130054095
    Abstract: A radio-wave-transmitting-body position detection system in a vehicle system has a plurality of electronic control devices that are included in a vehicle, and a radio wave transmitting body that transmits a radio signal to the plurality of electronic control devices. The electronic control devices conduct communication with each other using the radio signal. Each electronic control device includes a first electronic control device that conducts communication with the other electronic control device and the radio wave transmitting body using the radio signal, and controls a device included in the vehicle based on a content of the radio signal transmitted from the radio wave transmitting body. The electronic control devices except the first electronic control device include a first transmitting/receiving unit that transmits and receives the radio signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: OMRON AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takayuki Suzuki, Hidemitsu Kawashima
  • Patent number: 8386132
    Abstract: A method and system for preventing vehicle movement during start-up arising from a false-neutral indication. Using signals from one or more wheel speed sensors of the vehicle, a vehicle processor determines if the vehicle is moving during start-up, and if so, outputs a termination signal to shut-down the vehicle before any additional movement occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Chad E. Marlett, Adam C. Chiappetta
  • Patent number: 8386131
    Abstract: The disclosure describes, in one aspect, a method for changing a direction of a machine that is moving in a first direction. The method includes the step of receiving a signal indicative of an intention to change the direction of the machine to a second direction. The method also includes the step of determining whether a signal indicative of a speed of the machine is greater than a threshold based at least in part on an electric motor parameter. Finally, the method includes the step of applying a braking torque to at least one travel mechanism of the machine in response to a signal indicative of an accelerator pedal position until the speed reaches the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Srikar Thaduvayi, Michael D. Staub, William J. Tate
  • Publication number: 20130046443
    Abstract: A method and device for setting at least one parameter of at least one light source, wherein the light source is disposed in a vehicle, wherein the at least one parameter of the at least one light source and at least one parameter of at least one audio source are set by means of activation of a first functional profile, wherein the at least one audio source is disposed in the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Julia Ahlers, Imke Gaus, Stefanie Wald, Oliver Hengstenberg, Jian Lou, Thorb Baumgarten, Frank Althoff, Werner Hamberger
  • Patent number: 8380390
    Abstract: A system and method for determining characteristics of a trailer being towed by a vehicle. The trailer is coupled to the vehicle using a trailer hitch using at least one intelligent bolt or fastener. The intelligent fastener has structural characteristics similar to those of traditional bolts for fastening a trailer to a vehicle (e.g., shear strength, diameter, etc.), but the intelligent fastener is configured to sense forces at a junction between the trailer and the vehicle. An ESC system receives force readings from the intelligent fastener sensors along with signals from a plurality of other sensors and determines one or more characteristics of the trailer. The ESC system compensates the motion of the vehicle based on the forces sensed at the junction and the characteristics of the trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Williamson Sy, Doug Johnston, Pascal Martin, Damian Nowicki
  • Patent number: 8380400
    Abstract: An HV-ECU performs a program including the steps of: determining whether or not the HV-ECU is in an auto-P execution state; determining whether or not a predetermined time period Tb has elapsed since an auto-P was requested; and permitting determination of the shifting operation if the HV-ECU is in the auto-P execution state and if it is determined that the predetermined time period Tb has elapsed since the auto-P was requested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Osamu Kanai, Takahiko Tsutsumi, Ichiro Kitaori
  • Publication number: 20130041560
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for interference reduction during keyless authentication. The apparatus includes a control system having a controller configured to detect an authentication event and deactivate at least one device within the vehicle. The control system is also configured to transmit an authentication command and to reactive the at least one device within the vehicle in response to receiving a valid authentication signal. The method includes an authentication method for a user to operate a vehicle wherein an authentication event is detected and at least one device within the vehicle is deactivated. An authentication command is transmitted and the at least one device within the vehicle is reactivated in response to receiving a valid authentication signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: CHARLES J. BONGIORNO, AARON P. CREGUER, DAVID T. PROEFKE
  • Patent number: 8374754
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting objects on or beneath a surface of a medium having a reach-in arm, the base of the reach in arm connected to a platform, and the distal end of the reach-in arm connected to a sensor. The sensor detects objects on or beneath the surface of a medium and is capable of monitoring the distance of the sensor from objects in the path of the sensor. Motor controllers are connected to the reach-in arm and the sensor for controlling the movements of the reach-in arm and sensor. A computer is in communication with the reach-in arm, the sensor, and the motor controllers. The computer detects objects on or beneath the surface of a medium; determines the location of the reach-in arm and sensor relative to objects in their paths; and controls the movement of the reach-in arm and sensor either automatically using pre-programmed software or according to user inputted commands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: NIITEK, Inc.
    Inventor: James F. Clodfelter
  • Patent number: 8374748
    Abstract: The land vehicle includes a body, a power plant and a plurality of land engagers, the land engagers for engaging land and propelling the land vehicle across land. The land vehicle includes a controllable suspension system, the controllable suspension system for controlling suspension movements between the body and the land engagers. The land vehicle includes a computer system and suspension sensors located proximate the land engagers for measuring suspension parameters representative of suspension movements between the body and the land engagers and outputting a plurality of suspension sensor measurement output signals. The land vehicle includes controllable force suspension members located proximate the land engagers and the suspension sensors, the controllable force suspension members applying suspension travel forces between the body and the land engagers to control the suspension movements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Lord Corporation
    Inventor: Mark R. Jolly
  • Patent number: 8370025
    Abstract: A target value for yaw angle velocity gain is computed according to a map expressing a relationship between steering wheel angle and yaw angle velocity gain predetermined such that a direction as seen from a driver of a target destination point for vehicle travel at a predetermined time after a forward gaze and a direction as seen from the driver are caused to match each other, and a steering gear ratio is controlled accordingly. A target value for a steering wheel torque corresponding to the detected steering wheel angle and the acquired yaw angular velocity is set, based on a relationship between yaw angular velocity and resistance-feel level predetermined such that the resistance feel level for a driver monotonically increases with increasing yaw angular velocity. Control is then preformed so as to realize the steering wheel torque target value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Chuo Kenkyusho
    Inventors: Eiichi Ono, Yuji Muragishi, Daisuke Yamada, Shinsuke Sato
  • Publication number: 20130030658
    Abstract: A tire adjustment system and utilization means therefor includes a vehicle having at lone or more electronic vehicle control systems such as an anti-lock brake system; steering wheel control system, electronic stability system; suspension control system; global positioning system. An electronic valve system is mounted to operatively adjust on a tire-by-tire basis the inflation pressure within each tire cavity responsive to an electronic input signal from at least one of the vehicle control systems. The inflation adjustment of each tire alters the tire tread footprint configuration to optimally correlate with one or more identified current road condition(s) traversed by the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventor: Tom Dominique Linster
  • Patent number: 8364345
    Abstract: A vehicle driving operation support apparatus for a vehicle, includes a sensing section to sense a traveling condition of the vehicle including a surrounding condition inclusive of an obstacle around the vehicle; and a control section to calculate a risk potential for the vehicle in accordance with the traveling condition. The control section performs a support control to support the driver in accordance with the risk potential, performs a first assist control to restrain disturbance (such as vibration from a road) transmitted to the driver in accordance with the risk potential, and performs a second assist control to produce inducement simulating a condition change (such as a vehicle behavior) attributable to an increase of the risk potential, in accordance with the risk potential. The control section further performs a cooperation control to coordinate the first assist control and the second assist control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoaki Oida, Yoshifumi Takigawa, Yosuke Kobayashi, Satoshi Tange, Toshiyuki Murata, Taku Suzuki, Yuwun Chai, Motoaki Hosaka, Hironobu Kikuchi, Takeshi Kimura
  • Patent number: 8355844
    Abstract: The vehicle motion control apparatus includes a control unit 37A and sensors 2, 3, 4, 30, 31, 32, 33, etc. The actual state quantity obtaining unit 52 calculates a vehicle body actual slip angle ?z_act, etc. The reference dynamic-characteristic model calculating unit 54 calculates a reference vehicle body slip angle ?z_d, etc. by using a dynamic characteristic model. The vehicle motion control apparatus also includes a first anti-spin target yaw moment FB unit 68 which calculates a first anti-spin•target yaw moment Mc1_asp based on the vehicle body actual slip angle ?z_act and a second anti-spin target yaw moment FB unit 82 which calculates a second anti-spin•target yaw moment Mc2_asp based on a lateral acceleration Gs, a vehicle speed Vact and an actual yaw rate ?act.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryoji Mori, Yuuji Sakaki, Noriaki Suzuki, Teppei Komori, Hisanori Yanagida
  • Patent number: 8355843
    Abstract: An embodiment of a control method for a vehicle which is provided with a number of wheels, each of which comprises a tire and at least a disc brake of a braking system; the control method includes the step of sensing the current temperature of at least one component of a respective wheel by means of at least one sensor; determining, in a step of engineering and setting up, at least one first predetermined threshold value indicating the minimum temperature from which the component of wheel shows its maximum efficiency; comparing the current temperature of the component of wheel with the first predetermined threshold value; and signaling to the driver when the current temperature of the component of wheel is lower than the first predetermined threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Ferrari S.p.A.
    Inventors: Amedeo Visconti, Antonio Calvosa, Martino Cavanna
  • Patent number: 8352145
    Abstract: A traction control device includes: rotation speed detectors provided to wheels; a control-start determiner that determines whether or not to control a braking mechanism and a differential adjusting mechanism based on rotation speeds; a braking mechanism controller that controls the braking mechanism based on a result of the determination of the control-start determiner; and a differential adjusting mechanism controller that controls the differential adjusting mechanism based on the result of the determination of the control-start determiner, in which the control-start determiner includes: a right-left-wheel rotation speed difference calculating section; a front-rear-wheel rotation speed difference calculating section; and a control-start determining section that determines whether or not to start controlling at least one of the braking mechanism and the differential adjusting mechanism when one of rotation speed differences reaches or exceeds a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Uematsu, Kazuhiro Hatake, Yuya Kusumoto
  • Patent number: 8346428
    Abstract: The invention concerns an electronic vehicle dynamics regulation system for a land vehicle, which system is set up for steering and braking intervention, and with which a sensor arrangement is associated, which sensor arrangement, for a steering intervention device and for a braking system which builds up braking forces independently of or in addition to the driver, captures the yaw angular velocity and/or the transverse acceleration and feeds them to the steering intervention device and braking system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Lucas Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Josef Knechtges
  • Patent number: 8346434
    Abstract: When a vehicle is turning, it is determined whether an inside turning wheel has sufficient grip force. If the inside wheel has sufficient grip force, left and right forces orthogonally input to the vehicle body are calculated based on longitudinal and lateral tire forces, and are checked if there is a difference in the left and right forces. If there is such a left-right force difference and the vehicle is not undergoing a braking operation, the turning angle of the inside wheel is corrected using a left-right independent steering device that independently controls the turning angles of left and right wheels, so that the difference becomes zero. Thus, the difference in left and right forces laterally input to the vehicle body is reduced to minimize a jack-up force. This improves the driving stability and achieves a good roll feel by means of a jack-down force, thereby achieving improved driving feel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuichiro Tsukasaki, Masaru Kogure
  • Patent number: 8346433
    Abstract: A control system (18) and method for an automotive vehicle (10) includes a pitch rate sensor (37) generating a pitch rate signal, a longitudinal acceleration sensor (36) generating a longitudinal acceleration signal, and a yaw rate sensor (28) generating a yaw rate signal. A safety system (44) and the sensors are coupled to a controller. From the sensors, the controller (26) determines an added mass and a position of the added mass, a pitch gradient and/or a pitch acceleration coefficient that takes into account the added mass and position. The controller controls a vehicle system in response to the added mass and the position of the added mass, the pitch gradient and/or pitch acceleration coefficient variables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies
    Inventors: Jianbo Lu, Keith Mattson, Joe Meyers
  • Publication number: 20120330513
    Abstract: A system for air dam actuation of a vehicle is provided having an object sensor, an air dam, an actuation mechanism, and a control module. The object sensor is for tracking external objects located in front of the vehicle. The air dam has a deployed position and a non-deployed position. The actuation mechanism is connected to the air dam, and actuates the air dam between the deployed and the non-deployed position. The control module is in communication with the object sensor and the actuation mechanism. The control module includes logic for monitoring the object sensor for a set of object data. The set of object data is data indicating if an external object is located in front of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC.
    Inventors: Scott P. Charnesky, Gregory J. Fadler, David J. Guidos
  • Patent number: 8340838
    Abstract: A braking system for the landing gear of an aircraft, which landing gear includes a bogey containing at least four wheels, each equipped with a brake, with the bogey having at least two axles that are connected to the aircraft by a telescoping strut, wherein when the aircraft makes a low-speed turn around a center of rotation, the straight line linking the center of rotation of the turn to the barycenter of the landing gear does not pass between the front wheels and the rear wheels of the landing gear which system further includes means for applying differential braking between the front wheels and the rear wheels of the landing gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventors: Olivier Regis, Kevin Scott, Gregory Sicault
  • Publication number: 20120316735
    Abstract: A control system controls a light source which illuminates an implement coupled to a utility vehicle. The control system includes a vehicle control unit and a data bus which is connected to the vehicle control unit, the light source and an actuator which adjusts the light source. An implement control unit is mounted in the implement and is connected to the data bus. The implement control unit transmits, via the data bus, data regarding the work width and/or work height and/or position of the implement with respect to the utility vehicle. The vehicle control unit, in response to the data transmitted from the implement control unit, controls the actuator to adjust of the orientation and/or of the opening angle of a light cone of the light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Inventor: CHRISTIAN VON MEZYNSKI
  • Patent number: 8326494
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for determining a desired yaw rate for a vehicle. The vehicle has a plurality of handling states and comprises a yaw rate sensor for determining an actual yaw rate. The method comprises selecting one of the plurality of handling states, determining the desired yaw rate for the vehicle based on the road wheel angle, the velocity, and the selected one of the plurality of handling states, and activating one or more vehicle stability control measures if the difference between the desired yaw rate and the actual yaw rate for the vehicle exceeds a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Kevin A. O'Dea, Christopher A. Kinser, Mohammad A. Fayyad
  • Patent number: 8326495
    Abstract: In a regulating system and method of regulating the chassis of a motor vehicle, sensor data which are present for regulating the suspension and the damping of a vehicle body vehicle and describe the suspension state are forwarded to the regulating module of an antilock brake system. A state of the motor vehicle with regard to a brow situation can be determined from the sensor data. The sensor data or the state with regard to the brow situation are/is taken into consideration in the regulating module of the antilock brake system when determining control signals for regulating the brake pressure in brake apparatuses which are assigned to the wheels, in particular in the brake cylinders. This increases the driving safety considerably when driving over a brow and immediately after driving over a brow and increases the efficiency and reliability of the antilock brake system substantially in corresponding driving situations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. H.C. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Christian Steinle
  • Patent number: 8326504
    Abstract: A trailer sway intervention system. The trailer sway intervention system includes a trailer having a plurality of wheels, each wheel having a brake, and a vehicle towing the trailer. The vehicle includes a plurality of sensors configured to sense operating characteristics of the vehicle, and a controller. The controller receives the sensed operating characteristics from the sensors, determines an error based on a difference between an expected yaw rate and a sensed yaw rate, asymmetrically applies braking forces to one or more trailer wheels based on the difference, and symmetrically applies braking forces to the trailer wheels when the absolute value of the difference between the expected yaw rate and the sensed yaw rate is declining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Hsien-cheng Wu, Jin-jae Chen, Nathan Drummond
  • Patent number: 8326496
    Abstract: A motion control device of a vehicle comprises: a steering angle controller which controls a steering angle of a steered wheel so that an actual turning controlling variable becomes a target turning controlling variable; and a braking force controller which controls a vehicle braking force so that the actual turning controlling variable becomes the target turning controlling variable. The control of the steering angle controller is stopped by detecting a timing with which the braking force controller detects an oversteering state of the vehicle to start a braking force control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Advics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshio Yasutake, Fuminori Kato, Jouji Nishioka, Tomohiko Adachi, Lodewijk Wijffels, Oliver Nehls
  • Patent number: 8326481
    Abstract: A vehicle driving assist system calculates a risk potential indicative of a degree of convergence between a host vehicle and a preceding obstacle. Then, the system performs a driver notification operation that produces a driver notification stimulus based on the risk potential such as decreasing the driving force exerted against the vehicle as the risk potential increases and increasing an actuation reaction force exerted on the accelerator pedal during its operation as the risk potential increases. If a failure is detected in a reaction force generating device serving to add a reaction force to the accelerator pedal in accordance with the risk potential, then the system corrects an engine torque characteristic such that the engine torque does not increase even if the accelerator pedal is depressed to suppress an odd feeling in the vehicle performance by the driver when a failure occurs in the reaction force generating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Kimura, Yosuke Kobayashi, Yukinori Nishida
  • Publication number: 20120303222
    Abstract: A system and method of assisting a driver of a vehicle by providing driver and vehicle feedback control signals is disclosed. The system and method includes receiving location data of the vehicle from a GPS unit, receiving the location data of the vehicle and retrieving navigation characteristics relevant to the location data using a processing circuit, generating a most probable future path for the vehicle and determining a location of at least one navigation characteristic with respect to the most probable future path and the vehicle, generating vehicle data at least one vehicle sensor, and transmitting a control signal to a vehicle control area network to warn the driver of an upcoming navigation characteristic on the most probable path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventors: Troy Otis Cooprider, Michael J. Schmidlin, Faroog Ibrahim, Pavan K. Vempaty
  • Patent number: 8321092
    Abstract: A method of predicting severity of a potential collision of first and second vehicles. The method includes determining that a probability of a potential collision of the vehicles is greater than a threshold value. Vehicle condition-defining signals are exchanged between the vehicles when the probability of the potential collision is greater than the threshold value including a first vehicle condition-defining signal developed on board the first vehicle and a second vehicle condition-defining signal developed onboard the second vehicle. The method further includes predicting onboard the first vehicle a severity of the potential collision for the first vehicle based upon input that includes the first vehicle condition-defining signal and the second vehicle condition-defining signal. A severity of the potential collision for the second vehicle is predicted onboard the second vehicle based upon the second vehicle condition-defining signal and the first vehicle condition-defining signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Alan L Browne, Francis D Wood, Osman D Altan
  • Patent number: 8321111
    Abstract: A pedal system to realize an intended vehicle output in response to pedal depression is provided. The pedal system provides hysteresis in the relationship between the pedal effort and the vehicle output, taking into account a pedal effort in a depressing motion or in a releasing motion, employing a relationship including a straight line or a folded line. A vehicle output command may be delivered by changing the vehicle output relative to the pedal effort depending on the vehicle speed. An appropriate vehicle output command may be delivered by providing a maintaining motion in addition to the depressing motion and the releasing motion with a different pedal effort and vehicle output command relationship, and by changing the sensitivity of the vehicle output command relative to the pedal effort in the maintaining motion depending on the pedal effort-increasing/decreasing direction, vehicle information, and the vehicle output command or the pedal effort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kentaro Ueno, Mitsuhide Sasaki
  • Publication number: 20120296528
    Abstract: A steering wheel and a driver assistance system, which make possible an improved control of safety functions, driving functions and/or convenience functions of a vehicle. The steering wheel, in this context, has a plurality of touch-sensitive and which may be pressure-sensitive sensors on a steering-wheel rim. These sensors are to provide a grasp information signal, which indicates information on a contact surface, a position and/or a holding force of driver's hands on the steering-wheel rim, for instance, on a CAN bus. A driver assistance system uses these grasp information signals to adapt safety functions, driving functions and/or convenience functions, such as an automatic emergency brake assistant, power steering, a pedestrian avoidance assistant or a lane departure warning system in an adapted manner to the currently prevailing grasping type of the driver at the steering-wheel rim.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Inventors: Matthias Marcus WELLHOEFER, Christian MOTZ
  • Patent number: 8315764
    Abstract: A method to control a vehicle having a plurality of wheels includes monitoring desired vehicle dynamics, determining a desired corner force and moment distribution based upon the desired vehicle dynamics and a real-time closed form dynamics optimization solution, and controlling the vehicle based upon the desired corner force and moment distribution. The real-time closed form dynamics optimization solution is based upon a minimized center of gravity force error component, a minimized control energy component, and a maximized tire force reserve component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Shih-Ken Chen, Youssef A. Ghoneim, Weiwen Deng, Nikolai K. Moshchuk, Bakhtiar Brian Litkouhi, Valery Pylypchuk
  • Patent number: 8311707
    Abstract: A method of detecting a minispare tire in a vehicle having a vehicle control system. The method includes detecting a rotational velocity of each of a plurality of wheels of the vehicle; determining whether a minispare tire is mounted on the vehicle based on the rotational velocities detected at each of the plurality of wheels; adjusting the vehicle control system if a minispare tire is mounted on the vehicle; sensing a hydraulic pressure of a braking system of the vehicle; and suspending determination of whether a minispare tire is mounted on the vehicle if the hydraulic pressure exceeds a predetermined critical pressure level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Nachiket D. Patil
  • Patent number: 8311693
    Abstract: Systems and methods for stabilizing a hybrid electric vehicle (“HEV”) towing a trailer. One system includes a regenerative braking system, a non-regenerative braking system, and a stabilization system. The stabilization system determines a direction of rotation and a speed of the HEV and compares the HEV's speed to a predetermined low speed threshold value and a predetermined high speed threshold value. The stabilization system instructs the regenerative braking system to brake at least one wheel when the speed is less than or equal to the predetermined low speed threshold value and instructs the regenerative braking system to brake at least one wheel opposite the direction of rotation and at least one of the regenerative braking system and the non-regenerative braking system to provide an extra stabilizing braking torque to at least one wheel opposite the direction of rotation when the speed is greater than the predetermined high speed threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Hsien-Cheng (Kevin) Wu, Bo Xu
  • Publication number: 20120283918
    Abstract: A vehicle comprising a seat defining a driver seat portion and a passenger seat portion, an electronic stability system, adapted to receive inputs from a load sensor, a wheel rotation sensor and a lateral acceleration sensor, the electronic stability system adapted to provide outputs to at least one of the brake system for braking the vehicle, and the engine control unit to change the power output transmitted to the wheels by the engine, the electronic stability system using a first calibration to determine the outputs when the load sensor is in a non-loaded state and a second calibration to determine the outputs when the load sensor is in a loaded state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventor: Mario DAGENAIS
  • Patent number: 8306700
    Abstract: A vehicle travel support device capable of continuing operation even when the recognition accuracy of a lane mark has been degraded, and the like, wherein the degree of control on the operation of a steering device or the like is set higher as the reliability of a lane mark becomes higher. In a state in which the reliability of a travel area demarcated by the lane mark is high, a vehicle's travel is relatively strongly or actively supported so that the vehicle will not depart from the travel area. On the other hand, the degree of control on the operation of the steering device or the like is set lower as the reliability of the lane mark is lower. In a state in which the reliability of the travel area demarcated by the lane mark is low, the vehicle's travel is relatively weakly or passively supported so that the vehicle will not depart from the travel area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sachio Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8306697
    Abstract: An integrated stability control system using the signals from an integrated sensing system for an automotive vehicle includes a plurality of sensors sensing the dynamic conditions of the vehicle. The sensors include an IMU sensor cluster, a steering angle sensor, wheel speed sensors, any other sensors required by subsystem controls. The signals used in the integrated stability controls include the sensor signals; the roll and pitch attitudes of the vehicle body with respect to the average road surface; the road surface mu estimation; the desired sideslip angle and desired yaw rate from a four-wheel reference vehicle model; the actual vehicle body sideslip angle projected on the moving road plane; and the global attitudes. The demand yaw moment used to counteract the undesired vehicle lateral motions (under-steer or over-steer or excessive side sliding motion) are computed from the above-mentioned variables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies
    Inventors: Jianbo Lu, Todd Brown
  • Publication number: 20120277958
    Abstract: Described herein is a method for controlling a motor-powered hatch arrangement of a motor vehicle, wherein the hatch arrangement has an upwardly deflectable hatch, in particular an upwardly pivotable hatch, a drive arrangement which is assigned to the hatch and a control arrangement which is assigned to the drive arrangement, wherein the motor-powered deflection of the hatch in the opening direction is limited to a maximum hatch deflection by means of a control arrangement. It is proposed that the chassis of the motor vehicle can be adjusted vertically as required in order to set different vehicle body levels, and in that the maximum hatch deflection is adapted to a change in the vehicle body level by means of the control arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: BROSE FAHRZEUGTEILE GMBH & CO. KG, HALLSTADT
    Inventors: Sebastian Trombke, Heiko Loehnert