Antispin, Traction Control, Or Drive Slip Control Patents (Class 701/82)
  • Publication number: 20080208428
    Abstract: A method of determining wheel slippage in a work vehicle includes the steps of: sensing an absolute ground speed of the work vehicle; calculating a ground speed of the work vehicle using at least one drive train component; comparing the absolute ground speed with the calculated ground speed; generating a scaling factor based upon the comparison; and adjusting the calculated ground speed using the scaling factor. The method may also include the steps of scaling the absolute ground speed to a threshold value; comparing the calculated ground speed with the threshold value; and engaging a differential lock if the calculated ground speed is greater than the threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: Isaac W. Thompson, Eric Anderson, Michael R. Gratton
  • Patent number: 7418325
    Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle includes a roll control device, which includes an actuator, for controlling roll, and a control device including a target control value determining portion determining target control value of the actuator and an operation control portion controlling the actuator on the basis of the target control value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Daisuke Yamada, Shin Matsumoto, Shingo Urababa, Satoshi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7412319
    Abstract: System for detecting stability/instability of behavior of a motor vehicle upon occurrence of tire slip or lock. State of the motor vehicle is determined on the basis of an alignment torque (Ta) applied from a road and a side slip angle (?). By taking advantage of such torque/slip-angle characteristic that although the alignment torque is proportional to a side slip angle when the latter is small, the alignment torque becomes smaller as the side slip angle increases, a normal value is determined from a straight line slope and the side slip angle in a region where the latter is small. Unstable behavior of the motor vehicle is determined when deviation of actual measured value from the normal value increases. Further, unstable state is determined when the slope of the alignment torque for the slip angle departs significantly from that of approximate straight line slope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Fujioka, Takanori Matsunaga, Takashi Maeda, Toshinori Matsui, Masahiko Kurishige, Hideyuki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7412312
    Abstract: A system for automatically determining a public transport vehicle emergency braking characteristics, in particular of a railway vehicle, includes elements (1) for measuring the vehicle speed, elements (2) for measuring the distance travelled by it, and elements (3) for triggering an emergency braking of the vehicle to actuate its braking elements (4). The system includes elements for detecting (5) the activation of the elements (3) triggering the emergency braking and elements for detecting (5) when the vehicle stops, adapted to activate/deactivate the operation of elements (9) acquiring data concerning the speed and the distance travelled by the vehicle for a time interval running between the activation of the emergency triggering elements and the moment the vehicle stops, and elements (9) for analyzing the data to deliver at least a information concerning the distance travelled by the vehicle during the time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Regie Autonome des Transports Parisiens
    Inventors: Julien Leblanc, Bruno Perrin, Vincent Poupinet
  • Patent number: 7407235
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for improving the control behavior of a controlled automotive vehicle system, in particular an anti-lock brake system (ABS), a driving stability control system (ESP), or another brake system extended by other functionalities, wherein evaluated wheel dynamics data (dyn) and evaluated wheel slip data (slip) are taken into account as a criterion for the initiation of a control intervention for each individual wheel, and the sum thereof is compared to a control threshold (?). For a better weighting of wheel dynamics and slip, the invention discloses determining evaluation parameters (?, ?) that can be modified in response to driving conditions and taking them as a reference in the evaluation of the wheel dynamics data (dyn) and in the evaluation of the wheel slip data (slip).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Inventors: Robert Schmidt, Dieter Burkhard, Micro Loos, Christina Lorang
  • Publication number: 20080183353
    Abstract: Improved methods of controlling the stability of a vehicle are provided via the cooperative operation of vehicle stability control systems such as an Active Yaw Control system, Antilock Braking System, and Traction Control System. These methods use recognition of road surface information including the road friction coefficient (mu), wheel slippage, and yaw deviations. The methods then modify the settings of the active damping system and/or the distribution of drive torque, as necessary, to increase/reduce damping in the suspension and shift torque application at the wheels, thus preventing a significant shift of load in the vehicle and/or improving vehicle drivability and comfort. The adjustments of the active damping system or torque distribution temporarily override any characteristics that were pre-selected by the driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: James W. Post, Xiaodi Kang, William Monsma
  • Patent number: 7400962
    Abstract: A method for regulating the drive torque following a load change in hybrid vehicles, in which the drive torque is influenced in a load change in that a brake slip at the driven wheel of the hybrid vehicle as a result of the load change is already counteracted in the beginning phase, in such a way that any effect on the lateral stability and thus the stability of the hybrid vehicle during driving is excluded. When brake slip occurs at the driven wheels because of a load change, the drive torque is applied via the electromotor(s) of the hybrid vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Rolf Maier-Landgrebe
  • Publication number: 20080147273
    Abstract: A process for increasing the stability of a vehicle upon acceleration on a roadway with a non-homogenous coefficient of friction, whereby a drive wheel is acted on by a braking force on a side with a low coefficient of friction by means of a drive slip regulation. A value (pASR) is determined which corresponds to the braking force (FB,ASR) set by the drive slip regulation (ASR). The value determined (pASR) is used for the determination of a disrupting yaw momentum (MZ), and a control portion (??Z) of a supplemental steering angle (??) is determined in dependence on the disrupting yaw momentum (MZ). An apparatus for the implementation of the process is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventors: Urs Bauer, Georg Roll, Schahrad Schafiyha, Stephan Capellaro, Michael Gille, Matthias Muntu
  • Publication number: 20080126009
    Abstract: A method of estimating a mass of a vehicle. If a yaw rate is smaller than a reference value, a straight direction model algorithm is applied. If a measured speed and a measured steering angle are larger than reference values, a lateral direction model algorithm is applied. If a measured vertical acceleration is larger than a reference value, a vertical direction model algorithm is applied. If each of the estimated masses is in an allowable range, and is constant for a given time period, the masses are applied to a recursive least square method, thereby estimating the mass of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2007
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventors: Kun-Soo Huh, Jong-Chul Jung, Dae-Gun Hong, Sung-Hyun Lim
  • Publication number: 20080114520
    Abstract: A brake control device is provided to a wheel equipped with a tire, which has a function of applying a brake force to the wheel to put a brake thereon while adjusting the brake force. In the device, an acceleration sensor outputs acceleration data in a radial direction of the rotating tire, a predetermined detection range is set with respect to the acceleration data, a threshold value is set with respect to a corresponding part of the acceleration data falling within the detection range, the corresponding part of the acceleration data falling within the detection range is specified. Values of the specified acceleration data are compared with the threshold value, and a control signal for causing a braking device to adjust the brake force thereof is output in a case where some values of the acceleration data are larger than the threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Applicant: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Kitazaki, Jun Matsuda, Naoshi Miyashita, Yoshiaki Hashimura
  • Patent number: 7364196
    Abstract: When feedback control is carried out to ensure that the drive torque of an electric motor for driving each wheel of a vehicle should be equal to a motor torque instruction value, micro-vibration is applied to each tire by superposing a micro-vibration signal to a drive signal for the above electric motor to change the slip ratio-friction characteristics themselves of the tire to control friction force between the tire and the surface of a road, thereby controlling the running performance of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Bridgestone
    Inventors: Keizo Akutagawa, Hiroki Sawada
  • Patent number: 7364003
    Abstract: A system for mitigating hop in a propelled machine is provided. A controller is operable to receive an aggressiveness command based on an operator input. A sensor is operable to measure a parameter indicative of hop and output a hop signal indicative of a magnitude of machine hop, based on the measurement. A manager is operable to reduce an aggressiveness indicated by the aggressiveness command in proportion to the indicated magnitude of machine hop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Bradford Jay Holt, John Andrew Yeoman, Michael Dan Strnad, Stephen Victor Lunzman
  • Patent number: 7363138
    Abstract: A method of controlling traction in a vehicle having at least one non-driven wheel speed sensor. Actual vehicle acceleration and a wheel speed difference are detected. At least one of the actual vehicle acceleration and the wheel speed difference is compared to at least one of a predetermined vehicle acceleration and a predetermined wheel speed difference to detect vehicle wheel slip. A wheel torque is reduced in response to detected wheel slip. The foregoing method allows traction control to be installed in many types of vehicles, including vehicles without ABS. More than one type of wheel slip detection can be implemented, and various types of wheel slip can be detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Herve Scelers, Paul A. Bauerle, Ruobai Zhang, Craig J. Hawkins, Hiep T. Do, Timothy J. Keenan
  • Patent number: 7359787
    Abstract: A stability control apparatus, includes: a grip detector that changes an output based on a grip force applied in a direction hindering a slippage of a wheel, acting on a contact face between the wheel supported by a wheel supporting rolling bearing unit and the road surface, the wheel supporting rolling bearing unit for supporting freely rotatably the wheel to a vehicle body; and a controller that performs a control for keeping a running stability of the vehicle in response to an input of a detection signal of the grip detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichiro Ono, Takeshi Takizawa, Tomoyuki Yanagisawa
  • Publication number: 20080086251
    Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle includes determining a front lateral tire force, a rear lateral tire force, and determining a lineal sideslip angle from the front lateral tire force and the rear lateral tire force. The method also includes determining a load transfer correction. The method also includes determining a final linear lateral velocity in response to the linear sideslip angle and the load transfer correction and controlling the vehicle in response to the final linear lateral velocity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jianbo Lu, Joe Meyers
  • Patent number: 7356401
    Abstract: A drivetrain protection and management system (DPMS) monitors and determines individual wheel speeds to detect wheel spin and slip conditions on a drive axle. Wheel spin is caused by low surface friction, excessive input torque, lack of inter-axle differential and differential locks, excessive operating temperatures, or poor driving techniques. When wheel spin or slip exceeds a threshold, the DPMS automatically controls input torque to the drive axle by controlling engine or retarder torque. In addition to monitoring wheel speeds, the DPMS monitors other vehicle characteristics such as engine torque/speed, transmission ratio, transmission output speed, vehicle speed, throttle position, for example. The DPMS monitors and stores these vehicle characteristics over time and generates a data output that summarizes a history of vehicle operating conditions. The DPMS can communicate this data output real time during vehicle operation, which can be used by a fleet to maximize vehicle performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Richard A. Romer, Robert S. Harrison
  • Patent number: 7349775
    Abstract: System for detecting stability/instability of behavior of a motor vehicle upon occurrence of tire slip or lock. State of the motor vehicle is determined on the basis of an alignment torque (Ta) applied from a road and a side slip angle (?). By taking advantage of such torque/slip-angle characteristic that although the alignment torque is proportional to a side slip angle when the latter is small, the alignment torque becomes smaller as the side slip angle increases, a normal value is determined from a straight line slope and the side slip angle in a region where the latter is small. Unstable behavior of the motor vehicle is determined when deviation of actual measured value from the normal value increases. Further, unstable state is determined when the slope of the alignment torque for the slip angle departs significantly from that of approximate straight line slope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Fujioka, Takanori Matsunaga, Takashi Maeda, Toshinori Matsui, Masahiko Kurishige, Hideyuki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7343148
    Abstract: Restrictions on use of a cellular telephone in a vehicle, such as an automobile, are imposed using a global position system (GPS) device to determine the location of a vehicle in relation to geographic regions in which legal or customer restrictions on cellular telephone use are to be imposed. Network or local short-range wireless transmitters supply information to a cellular telephone describing potentially applicable restriction information retrieved from network databases. In response, a cellular telephone determines applicability of such restrictions and applies them to further use of the cellular telephone while such restrictions continue to apply. Alternative arrangements allow vehicle-based or network based processing of region and restrictions information to yield command messages to cellular telephones to control their further use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventor: Joseph Thomas O'Neil
  • Patent number: 7337054
    Abstract: A system is provided for controlling slip of a ground-engaging traction device of a work machine. The system includes an actual slip calculator operable to transmit an actual slip signal corresponding to an actual slip experienced by the work machine. The system also includes a ground condition selector operable to transmit a ground condition signal corresponding to a selected ground condition. A desired slip calculator is operable to transmit a desired slip signal based on the ground condition signal. A slip controller is coupled with the actual slip calculator and the desired slip calculator. The slip controller is operable to transmit a slip control signal based on the actual slip signal and the desired slip signal. The slip control signal controls the actual slip experienced by the work machine to achieve the desired slip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Saurabh Pandey, Michael A. Caruthers, Richard J. Skiba
  • Patent number: 7328097
    Abstract: While a driving torque TD outputted to a driving shaft via an AT from an engine is detected, a road-surface transmitting torque Td_tire is detected based on rotation speeds Vwdr, Vwdl of vehicle driving wheels, a vehicle body speed Vd, and driving torques Tdr, Tdl, all of which are previously detected. The driving torque TD and the road-surface transmitting torque Td_tire are then compared to each other. When TD>Td_tire, the driving torque from an engine is controlled so as to decrease a value of (TD?Td_tire). The vibrations of individual vehicle parts are thereby decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: DENSO Corporation
    Inventors: Mamoru Sawada, Toshiki Matsumoto, Tsutomu Tashiro, Mamoru Mabuchi, Takehito Fujii
  • Patent number: 7286922
    Abstract: The magnitude of torque which can be transmitted by a bypass clutch between the housing and the turbine of a torque converter between a prime mover, such as an engine, and an automatic transmission in the power train of a motor vehicle is selectively regulatable by a computerized regulating unit. The regulation involves the transmission of torque by the clutch in dependency upon the magnitude of the torque being transmitted by the output element of the engine and ascertaining as well as adaptively applying to the clutch a variable force so that the clutch can transmit a predetermined torque. This entails automatic selection of a minimum slip between a torque receiving and a torque transmitting part of the power train. Compensation, particularly long-range compensation, is carried out for the existence of possible differences between the predetermined and actual torques being transmitted by the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: LuK Getriebe-Systeme GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Fischer, Uwe Wagner, Jürgen Freitag, Johannes Braun, Anton Rink
  • Publication number: 20070233352
    Abstract: Tire transient response data during cornering with a slip angle is calculated based on a tire dynamic model. A deformation response of a tread part in the tire dynamic is set as a first-order-lag response. The value of the transient response parameter is initialized, to define the first-order-lag response. The time-series data of the transient response of the slip angle between the tread part and a road surface in the tire dynamic model is obtained by computing a convolution integral of the defined response function of the first-order-lag response with a time gradient of the time-series data of the slip angle. A value of a lateral force is calculated by using the tire dynamic model based on the obtained time-series data of the transient response of the slip angle. Accordingly, the transient response data is calculated, and a value of the transient response parameter is obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Inventors: Naoshi Miyashita, Kazuyuki Kabe, Hideki Seto, Ryoji Hanada
  • Patent number: 7274985
    Abstract: A target vehicle speed is switched between a target slip vehicle speed and a target torque vehicle speed on the basis of a result of a determination regarding whether or not a vehicle is insufficiently accelerated. More specifically, if traction control is not performed, the target slip vehicle speed is set as the target vehicle speed. If it is determined that the vehicle is sufficiently accelerated during traction control, a value obtained by subtracting a maximum permissible value from a value set last time as the target vehicle speed is compared with the target slip vehicle speed, and the larger one of them is set as the target vehicle speed this time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Advics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junya Nagaya, Toshihisa Kato, Yasuhito Ishida, Tatsuya Yano
  • Publication number: 20070213913
    Abstract: A differential limiting control device for a vehicle calculates a yaw rate correspondence control amount according to deviation between actual yaw rate and target yaw rate when a vehicle turns, and also judges the vehicle's steering characteristic of the moment and magnitude relation between wheel speeds of right and left front wheels. The differential limiting control device then applies compensation toward an increase or decrease side based on a yaw rate correspondence control amount to a base control amount according to a combination of the steering characteristic and the magnitude relation between the wheel speeds, and controls a differential limiting force between the right and left front wheels based upon a final control amount obtained after the compensation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Inventors: Yuichi Ushiroda, Kaoru Sawase, Yusuke Fujii
  • Patent number: 7266437
    Abstract: A method a operating a traction control system using a traction controller (30) for an automotive vehicle (10) is provided. A slip target is first determined. Then, an operating temperature turning characteristic or slope of the slip curve may, in combination or alone, be used to adjust the slip trigger threshold above the slip target. Traction control mode is entered when the driven wheel speed is above the slip trigger threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Davor Hrovat, Ralph Cunningham, Peter Lazarevski, Eric Tseng, Charles Bannon, Michael Fodor
  • Patent number: 7263419
    Abstract: A vehicle control system includes at least one driver input, a supervisor and at least one sub-system controlled by the supervisor. The supervisor assesses the driver input to establish actual driver demand and controls the sub-systems accordingly. As a result intuitive driver demand is identified and met.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Ricardo UK Limited
    Inventors: Jonathan Charles Wheals, Mark Ramsbottom
  • Patent number: 7222014
    Abstract: A method for providing traction control in vehicle powertrain systems is particularly adapted for traction control in a powertrain system of a hybrid electric vehicle comprising an internal combustion engine, an electric machine and a transmission that is operatively coupled to the electric machine and the engine and adapted to provide a transmission torque output in response to a transmission torque input received as a torque output from either or both of the engine and the electric machine. The method is adapted to utilize conventional traction control and engine control hardware, software and communication standards to implement traction control. In one embodiment of the invention, a conventional traction controller is used to detect a wheel spin condition and provide a plurality of first output torque command messages in response thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Xuefeng T. Tao, Todd M. Steinmetz, Tung-Ming Hsieh, William R. Cawthorne
  • Patent number: 7197387
    Abstract: Sensor-equipped hub units 34a attached to respective drive wheels 34 each have a sensor device comprising a sensor 36 for detecting the ground contact load on the wheel 34. A control unit 31 has a traction controller 32, whereby when the ground contact load value output from one of the ground contact load sensors 36 while the vehicle is traveling straight is outside a predetermined range, the drive wheel 34 is controlled so as to return the ground contact load value to the original value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Inoue, Katsura Koyagi, Kenji Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 7191043
    Abstract: A vehicle has two acceleration sensors, which are provided forward and rearward respectively from the rear end of a driver seat in the vehicle. The acceleration sensors output signals, which are the basis for sensing a signal related to rotation of the vehicle. The sensed signal is the basis for determining whether the vehicle has a lateral collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Kiminari Kawasoe, Seiya Ide
  • Patent number: 7188017
    Abstract: In a motor vehicle driveline having an automatic transmission driveably connected to a transfer case whose output is continually connected to a first output, a clutch, selectively engaged in response to a control signal, driveably connects a second output to the first output. A digital computer continually monitors the occurrence of a change of clutch slip, input torque and a torque rate change to control the torque transmitted by the clutch to the second output. The control causes the clutch to transmit torque to the second output having a constant fraction of the input clutch torque and another portion that is proportional to the clutch slip. This result simulates the torque slip characteristics produced by transfer case having both a center differential mechanism and a viscous clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ashok Rodrigues, Timothy Allen, Steven Thomas
  • Patent number: 7182168
    Abstract: A vehicle driving force control apparatus is configured to provide a vehicle drive force control apparatus that can expand the operating region within which an electric motor can be driven in a stable manner. The output of an engine is delivered to the main drive wheels through a transmission and also to an electric generator. The output voltage of the electric generator is supplied to the electric motor and the output of the electric motor drives the subordinate drive wheels. When it is determined that the generator output voltage will not be sufficient to meet the requirement of the electric motor, the amount of acceleration slippage allowed at the left and front wheels is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Kamata, Kouichi Shimizu, Hideyuki Saeki, Masanori Aoyagi
  • Patent number: 7149614
    Abstract: A device and the method are for the recognition and rectification of the danger of rollover of a vehicle, outfitted with a regulating system, about a vehicle axis oriented in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The regulating system controls actuators using its output signals in accordance with the output signal values. A variable describing the transverse dynamics of the vehicle is determined for the recognition of the danger of a rollover. This variable describing the transverse dynamics of the vehicle is compared to at least one characteristic value, e.g., a threshold value. In the case in which the variable describing the transverse dynamics of the vehicle is greater than, or equal to the characteristic value, the number of all possible combinations of output signal values that may be supplied to the actuators by the regulating system for stability regulation is restricted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Ansgar Traechtler, Frank Leibeling, Marco Metzger
  • Patent number: 7142100
    Abstract: A wheel position indication system for a vehicle comprising a steerable wheel, a wheel position indicator and a controller. The wheel position indicator has an on state and an off state. The wheel position indicator provides a visual indication of the position of the steerable wheel when the wheel position indicator is in the on state. The wheel position indicator does not provide a visual indication of the position of the steerable wheel when the wheel position indicator is in the off state. The controller selectively alters the wheel position indicator between the on state and the off state. The controller places the wheel position indicator into the on state when the vehicle is in a predetermined driving condition and places the wheel position indicator into the off state when the vehicle is not in the predetermined driving condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory P. Brown, Jeffrey S. Kapteyn, Marcus Turner, Ian Hulme
  • Patent number: 7092810
    Abstract: A system and method is directed to wheel slip for a mobile vehicle. The method provides for monitoring a plurality of vehicle system signal inputs, determining an actual vehicle speed value, a pedal progression vehicle speed value, and a control signal modification value based on the vehicle system signal inputs. The method further provides for determining a control signal value based on the control signal modification value and controlling pedal progression input based on the determined control signal value. The system includes determining an actual vehicle speed value, a pedal progression vehicle speed value, and a control signal modification value based on a plurality of vehicle system signal inputs. The system further determines a control signal value based on the control signal modification value and controls a pedal progression input based on the determined control signal value are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Paul A. Bauerle, James L. Worthing
  • Patent number: 7089104
    Abstract: A method and system for inhibiting torque steer in a vehicle equipped with steerable wheels that are power driven. The method determines a maximum engine torque limit, determines an estimated driver-desired torque, and controls the actual torque, by adjustment of the throttle angle, to be the smaller of the maximum engine torque limit and the estimated driver-desired torque. Sensors measure steering angle and transmission gear position and a calculator determines the maximum engine torque limit based upon the steering angle and transmission gear position. Further sensors measure engine speed, throttle angle, and atmospheric pressure, and a calculator estimates driver-desired torque based upon the measured engine speed, throttle angle, and atmospheric pressure. A comparator selects the lower of the maximum engine torque limit and the driver-desired engine torque and uses the selected torque to control throttle angle to inhibit torque steer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: James W. Post, II, Theodore Klaus
  • Patent number: 7085642
    Abstract: A control system (18) for an automotive vehicle (19) having a vehicle body includes a cluster (16) of vehicle dynamic sensors (27, 28, 30, 31), the output signals from the sensors (Yaw Rate Sensor, Roll Rate Sensor, Longitudinal Acceleration Sensor, Lateral Acceleration Sensor) are corrected for errors by removing the zero output DC bias. Such bias constitutes an error that may occur as a result of temperature changes, manufacturing defects, or other factors. The system (18) also compensates for the drift in the sensor output signals that occur during vehicle operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Varghese Samuel, Todd Allen Brown
  • Patent number: 7084602
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to the termination of the occurrence of wheel slip/skid and prediction and prevention of the onset of wheel slip/skid in a locomotive. In one configuration, a lookup table of adhesion factors is used to predict the occurrence of wheel slip/skid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Railpower Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Frank Wegner Donnelly, David Herman Swan, John David Watson
  • Patent number: 7072756
    Abstract: A vehicle drive force control apparatus configured to make it possible to increase the drive force when the vehicle is accelerating from a stopped condition without increasing the size of the electric generator. The output of an engine is delivered to the left and right front wheels and to an electric generator. The output voltage of the electric generator is supplied to an electric motor and the output of the electric motor 4 drives the left and right rear wheels. When the vehicle is attempting to accelerate from a stopped condition or is moving at an extremely low speed, the target slippage amount used for engine TCS control is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshirou Matsuda
  • Patent number: 7058491
    Abstract: Wheel speed sensors arranged at each of driving wheels and idler wheels detect rotational speeds of corresponding wheels. ECU includes a wheel speed calculating portion calculating wheel speeds of the driving wheels and the idler wheels based on the detected rotational speeds, and an abnormality detecting portion detecting abnormality of the wheel speed sensors based on the calculated wheel speeds. The abnormality detecting portion detects the abnormality of the wheel speed sensors based on: a first wheel speed that is at least one of the wheel speeds of the driving wheels and the idler wheels being substantially zero; at least one of the wheel speeds except for the first wheel speed being greater than a prescribed threshold value; and an average wheel speed of the idler wheels being greater than an average wheel speed of the driving wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Mitsuru Ohba
  • Patent number: 7054727
    Abstract: A method of replicating a real-world vehicle rollover of a vehicle having wheels utilizing a vehicle testing apparatus having a support. The method includes positioning the vehicle on the support. Static properties of the vehicle are then determined. An initial set of forces and moments to be applied to the support are determined based upon at least the static properties. The support is actuated based upon the initial set of forces and moments to replicate the vehicle rollover. An actual response of the vehicle to the initial actuating of the vehicle testing apparatus is measured to determine dynamic properties of the vehicle. So long as all of the wheels remained on the support during the actuating of the vehicle testing apparatus, sets of forces and moments are continuously determined. The vehicle testing apparatus can be repeatedly actuated based upon the sets of forces and moments to further replicate the vehicle rollover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Burke E. Porter Machinery Company
    Inventors: Kevin Kemp, Hamid Alper Oral
  • Patent number: 7031819
    Abstract: A plurality of vehicle stabilizing devices which operate according to different strategies and which actuate, independently of the driver, brake actuators which are assigned to the vehicle wheels, in order to stabilize the vehicle are arranged in the vehicle. The vehicle is equipped with at least one switchable differential lock in the drive train. The differential lock assumes a non-switched operating state, a first operating state in which the differential lock is preselected, and a second operating state in which the differential lock is switched. When the differential lock assumes the first operating state, some of the vehicle stabilizing devices, other than that vehicle stabilizing device which, by actuating the brake actuators independently of the driver, prevents the vehicle wheels from locking during a braking operation, are influenced in terms of their operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Albert Hack, Franz Himler, Gerd Linzmayer
  • Patent number: 7027900
    Abstract: A method of dynamically controlling traction of a locomotive (V) having a plurality of axles (A1–A6) on each of which are mounted wheels (W) for moving the locomotive over a set of rails (R). A creep control signal (creep_n) is provided to a controller (TMTC) for each axle to move the locomotive over the rails, the creep control signal being a function of adhesion operation characteristics (tractive effort, torque, creep) for that axle. An advisory signal (ccc_n) combining values representative of the adhesion quality of the two axles is provided to the controller to maximize the tractive effort of the axle if the adhesion quality of the other axle is a maximum for the current rail conditions. This reduces the amount of time for the axle to attain its maximum tractive effort when rail conditions change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ajith K. Kumar, Bret Worden
  • Patent number: 7016778
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a motor vehicle, in particular a traction-slip control system (TCS), wherein a diagonal axle twist is detected and evaluated as a regulating variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Continental Teves, AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Norbert Ehmer, Georg Roll, Lothar Kienle, Bernd-Uwe Hartmann, Steffen Ritz, Frank Haller
  • Patent number: 6962074
    Abstract: A dynamic test fixture has a support frame (3) whose dimensions (31) in the direction of a transverse axis (y) are smaller than a distance between the wheels of a vehicle (8). Via a first unit (71a, 71b, 71c) of a controllable adjusting device (7), the support frame (3) is displaced approximately vertically underneath the vehicle (8) so that the vehicle (8) is moved into a raised testing position. A second unit of the controllable adjusting device (7) acts on the support frame (3) in such a way that the vehicle (8) is moved into at least one position (Nx, Ny) that deviates from the horizontal position. A third unit (73) influences the support frame (3) in such a way that the vehicle (8), which it is situated in the raised testing position, is briefly rotated about a vertical axis (z). The test fixture is advantageously used to test a stabilizing system (ESP device) of the vehicle (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignees: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft, Audi AG
    Inventors: Sascha Lenzen, Klaus Wolfrum, Goetz Knupfer, Bernhard Flaig, Karl Seyberth, Gero Wittig
  • Patent number: 6952635
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a road condition estimation apparatus for estimating a road condition for use in a vehicle having a steering control unit for actuating a device mechanically independent of a manually operated steering member to steer at least a wheel of front and rear wheels. The apparatus includes an actuating signal detection unit for detecting an actuating signal for actuating the device of the steering control unit, an aligning torque estimation unit for estimating an aligning torque produced on the wheel on the basis of the actuating signal detected by the actuating signal detection unit, and a vehicle state variable detection unit for detecting a state variable of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Assignees: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyoda Koki Kabushiki Kaisha, Advics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Yasui, Eiichi Ono, Yuji Muragishi, Shinji Takeuchi, Minekazu Momiyama, Hiroaki Kato, Kenji Asano
  • Patent number: 6922617
    Abstract: An estimating unit 7 estimates an element aij of a system matrix based on state quantity including at least a longitudinal force Fx applied to a wheel, a vertical force Fz applied to the wheel and a vehicle speed V. A setting unit 8 sets a target value aij? regarding the element aij of the system matrix. A processing unit 9 calculates a control value so that the estimated element aij approaches the set target value aij?. Controlling units 10 to 13 control a vehicle based on the calculated control value. Here, the element aij is expressed by a sum of a linear term changing with linearity of the wheel and a nonlinear term changing with nonlinearity of the wheel, and the setting unit 8 sets the linear term of the element aij as the target value aij?.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaru Kogure, Koji Matsuno
  • Patent number: 6917870
    Abstract: An interrupt for an automatic traction control system includes a park brake control valve for controlling a park brake of a vehicle as a function of a park brake control pressure signal. A service brake control valve controls a service brake as a function of a service brake control pressure signal. A traction control valve communicates the service brake control pressure signal to the service brake control valve as a function of the park brake control pressure signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventors: David W. Howell, Charles E. Eberling, William P. Amato
  • Patent number: 6909958
    Abstract: A method and system for inhibiting torque steer in a vehicle equipped with steerable wheels that are power driven. The method determines a maximum engine torque limit, determines an estimated driver-desired torque, and controls the actual torque, by adjustment of the throttle angle, to be the smaller of the maximum engine torque limit and the estimated driver-desired torque. Sensors measure steering angle and transmission gear position and a calculator determines the maximum engine torque limit based upon the steering angle and transmission gear position. Further sensors measure engine speed, throttle angle, and atmospheric pressure, and a calculator estimates driver-desired torque based upon the measured engine speed, throttle angle, and atmospheric pressure. A comparator selects the lower of the maximum engine torque limit and the driver-desired engine torque and uses the selected torque to control throttle angle to inhibit torque steer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: James W. Post, II, Theodore Klaus
  • Patent number: 6909957
    Abstract: For the purpose of controlling the yaw dynamics and lateral dynamics in a road vehicle with electrically controlled four-wheel steering, in the case of which the setting of the front axle steer angle ?v and of the rear axle steer angle ?h is performed by means of mutually decoupled control loops, a desired value ?vsoll for the lateral force Sv to be built up at the front axle is determined in the control loop assigned to the front axle and, for this desired value Svsoll, the value of the slip angle, linked to the desired value Svsoll, is determined as desired value ?vsoll from an Sv(?v) characteristic representing the dependence of the lateral force Sv, to be built up at the front axle, on the slip angle ?v. In the control loop assigned to the rear axle, a desired value Shsoll for the lateral force Sh to be built up at the rear axle is determined in a control process in accordance with a controller law of the form S hsoll = l v · m · v x L · [ ? .
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventor: Avshalom Suissa
  • Patent number: RE39183
    Abstract: Torque restrictions on a drive shaft are enhanced when the angular acceleration AX of the drive shaft exceed a specific first threshold value. The enhanced torque restrictions are subsequently relaxed when the angular acceleration drops below the first threshold value and further a specific restriction relaxation condition is satisfied. The torque restrictions are expressed as a graph representing a relation according to which an upper torque limit Tmax decreases with increased angular acceleration AX. The torque restriction are enhanced or relaxed by moving the position of a torque axis relative to the graph along the angular acceleration axis while preserving a shape of the graph.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Mitsuhiro Nada