Antispin, Traction Control, Or Drive Slip Control Patents (Class 701/82)
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Publication number: 20080208428Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2007Publication date: August 28, 2008Inventors: Isaac W. Thompson, Eric Anderson, Michael R. Gratton
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Patent number: 7418325Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 22, 2005Date of Patent: August 26, 2008Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Daisuke Yamada, Shin Matsumoto, Shingo Urababa, Satoshi Suzuki
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Patent number: 7412319Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 7, 2005Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiroshi Fujioka, Takanori Matsunaga, Takashi Maeda, Toshinori Matsui, Masahiko Kurishige, Hideyuki Tanaka
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Patent number: 7412312Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 3, 2002Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Regie Autonome des Transports ParisiensInventors: Julien Leblanc, Bruno Perrin, Vincent Poupinet
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Patent number: 7407235Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 6, 2002Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Inventors: Robert Schmidt, Dieter Burkhard, Micro Loos, Christina Lorang
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Publication number: 20080183353Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2008Publication date: July 31, 2008Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: James W. Post, Xiaodi Kang, William Monsma
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Patent number: 7400962Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 13, 2002Date of Patent: July 15, 2008Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventor: Rolf Maier-Landgrebe
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Publication number: 20080147273Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2005Publication date: June 19, 2008Inventors: Urs Bauer, Georg Roll, Schahrad Schafiyha, Stephan Capellaro, Michael Gille, Matthias Muntu
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Publication number: 20080126009Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2007Publication date: May 29, 2008Inventors: Kun-Soo Huh, Jong-Chul Jung, Dae-Gun Hong, Sung-Hyun Lim
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Publication number: 20080114520Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2007Publication date: May 15, 2008Applicant: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tsuyoshi Kitazaki, Jun Matsuda, Naoshi Miyashita, Yoshiaki Hashimura
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Patent number: 7364196Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 27, 2001Date of Patent: April 29, 2008Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha BridgestoneInventors: Keizo Akutagawa, Hiroki Sawada
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Patent number: 7364003Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 25, 2005Date of Patent: April 29, 2008Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Bradford Jay Holt, John Andrew Yeoman, Michael Dan Strnad, Stephen Victor Lunzman
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Patent number: 7363138Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 9, 2003Date of Patent: April 22, 2008Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Herve Scelers, Paul A. Bauerle, Ruobai Zhang, Craig J. Hawkins, Hiep T. Do, Timothy J. Keenan
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Patent number: 7359787Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 3, 2004Date of Patent: April 15, 2008Assignee: NSK Ltd.Inventors: Koichiro Ono, Takeshi Takizawa, Tomoyuki Yanagisawa
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Publication number: 20080086251Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2006Publication date: April 10, 2008Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Jianbo Lu, Joe Meyers
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Patent number: 7356401Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 13, 2004Date of Patent: April 8, 2008Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLCInventors: Richard A. Romer, Robert S. Harrison
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Patent number: 7349775Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 7, 2005Date of Patent: March 25, 2008Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiroshi Fujioka, Takanori Matsunaga, Takashi Maeda, Toshinori Matsui, Masahiko Kurishige, Hideyuki Tanaka
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Patent number: 7343148Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 31, 2005Date of Patent: March 11, 2008Assignee: AT&T Corp.Inventor: Joseph Thomas O'Neil
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Patent number: 7337054Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 29, 2004Date of Patent: February 26, 2008Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Saurabh Pandey, Michael A. Caruthers, Richard J. Skiba
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Patent number: 7328097Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 8, 2004Date of Patent: February 5, 2008Assignee: DENSO CorporationInventors: Mamoru Sawada, Toshiki Matsumoto, Tsutomu Tashiro, Mamoru Mabuchi, Takehito Fujii
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Patent number: 7286922Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 22, 1995Date of Patent: October 23, 2007Assignee: LuK Getriebe-Systeme GmbHInventors: Robert Fischer, Uwe Wagner, Jürgen Freitag, Johannes Braun, Anton Rink
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Publication number: 20070233352Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2007Publication date: October 4, 2007Inventors: Naoshi Miyashita, Kazuyuki Kabe, Hideki Seto, Ryoji Hanada
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Patent number: 7274985Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 13, 2004Date of Patent: September 25, 2007Assignee: Advics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Junya Nagaya, Toshihisa Kato, Yasuhito Ishida, Tatsuya Yano
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Publication number: 20070213913Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2007Publication date: September 13, 2007Inventors: Yuichi Ushiroda, Kaoru Sawase, Yusuke Fujii
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Patent number: 7266437Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 5, 2005Date of Patent: September 4, 2007Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Davor Hrovat, Ralph Cunningham, Peter Lazarevski, Eric Tseng, Charles Bannon, Michael Fodor
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Patent number: 7263419Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 13, 2002Date of Patent: August 28, 2007Assignee: Ricardo UK LimitedInventors: Jonathan Charles Wheals, Mark Ramsbottom
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Patent number: 7222014Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 14, 2004Date of Patent: May 22, 2007Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Xuefeng T. Tao, Todd M. Steinmetz, Tung-Ming Hsieh, William R. Cawthorne
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Patent number: 7197387Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 2, 2003Date of Patent: March 27, 2007Assignee: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masahiro Inoue, Katsura Koyagi, Kenji Sakamoto
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Patent number: 7191043Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 3, 2003Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Assignee: Denso CorporationInventors: Kiminari Kawasoe, Seiya Ide
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Patent number: 7188017Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 9, 2004Date of Patent: March 6, 2007Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Ashok Rodrigues, Timothy Allen, Steven Thomas
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Patent number: 7182168Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 27, 2004Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tatsuya Kamata, Kouichi Shimizu, Hideyuki Saeki, Masanori Aoyagi
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Patent number: 7149614Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 11, 2002Date of Patent: December 12, 2006Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Ansgar Traechtler, Frank Leibeling, Marco Metzger
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Patent number: 7142100Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 27, 2003Date of Patent: November 28, 2006Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Gregory P. Brown, Jeffrey S. Kapteyn, Marcus Turner, Ian Hulme
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Patent number: 7092810Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 10, 2002Date of Patent: August 15, 2006Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Paul A. Bauerle, James L. Worthing
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Patent number: 7089104Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 22, 2005Date of Patent: August 8, 2006Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: James W. Post, II, Theodore Klaus
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Patent number: 7085642Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 10, 2003Date of Patent: August 1, 2006Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Stephen Varghese Samuel, Todd Allen Brown
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Patent number: 7084602Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 16, 2005Date of Patent: August 1, 2006Assignee: Railpower Technologies Corp.Inventors: Frank Wegner Donnelly, David Herman Swan, John David Watson
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Patent number: 7072756Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 27, 2004Date of Patent: July 4, 2006Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Toshirou Matsuda
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Patent number: 7058491Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 30, 2005Date of Patent: June 6, 2006Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Mitsuru Ohba
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Patent number: 7054727Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 2, 2003Date of Patent: May 30, 2006Assignee: Burke E. Porter Machinery CompanyInventors: Kevin Kemp, Hamid Alper Oral
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Patent number: 7031819Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 20, 2003Date of Patent: April 18, 2006Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AGInventors: Albert Hack, Franz Himler, Gerd Linzmayer
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Patent number: 7027900Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 19, 2003Date of Patent: April 11, 2006Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Ajith K. Kumar, Bret Worden
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Patent number: 7016778Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 28, 2000Date of Patent: March 21, 2006Assignee: Continental Teves, AG & Co. oHGInventors: Norbert Ehmer, Georg Roll, Lothar Kienle, Bernd-Uwe Hartmann, Steffen Ritz, Frank Haller
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Patent number: 6962074Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 9, 2005Date of Patent: November 8, 2005Assignees: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft, Audi AGInventors: Sascha Lenzen, Klaus Wolfrum, Goetz Knupfer, Bernhard Flaig, Karl Seyberth, Gero Wittig
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Patent number: 6952635Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 10, 2003Date of Patent: October 4, 2005Assignees: 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
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Patent number: 6922617Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 25, 2004Date of Patent: July 26, 2005Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masaru Kogure, Koji Matsuno
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Patent number: 6917870Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 14, 2003Date of Patent: July 12, 2005Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLCInventors: David W. Howell, Charles E. Eberling, William P. Amato
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Patent number: 6909958Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 12, 2003Date of Patent: June 21, 2005Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: James W. Post, II, Theodore Klaus
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Patent number: 6909957Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 15, 2001Date of Patent: June 21, 2005Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AGInventor: Avshalom Suissa
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Patent number: RE39183Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 25, 2004Date of Patent: July 11, 2006Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Mitsuhiro Nada