Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for improving an anti-lock control system, in particular for improving driving stability during braking on laterally different coefficients of friction. According to the method, a desired yaw rate is determined using at least one steering angle signal of a steering angle sensor and an actual yaw rate is determined using at least one yaw rate sensor, and the instability is evaluated using a parameter that serves for a qualitative and quantitative judgment of a deviation between the actual yaw rate and the desired yaw rate. Both yaw rate deviation and the time derivative of the yaw rate deviation are used to determine the parameter.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a method and system for providing brake control, autobrake and antiskid brake functionality by recognizing that the only difference between the three functions is the amount of deceleration they allow. Unlike a conventional system where the pedals represent brake pressure, the present invention interprets pedal commands as desired deceleration. The method and system involve controlling acceleration of a wheel reference speed and setting a desired slip based on autobrake settings, pedal positions, and various parameters. A proportional/integral/derivative algorithm controls wheel speed and is monitored for normal operation. Abnormal operation generates control parameters which are used to alter the wheel reference speed and its deceleration. Additionally, vehicles using the invention will benefit from improved yaw stability, even brake temperatures and differential braking during antiskid operation.

Abstract: The present invention provides in one embodiment a method for controlling vehicle creep control. Measurements are received from a brake pedal sensor, where the measurements are indicative of a brake pedal travel. A target creep speed value is derived based on the measurements of creep speed and the brake pedal travel. A request for wheel torque is derived based on the target creep speed. There is a determination of the difference between a measurement of vehicle creep speed and the target creep speed value. The request for wheel torque is adjusted, if the target creep speed is not equivalent to the vehicle creep speed.

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.

Abstract: A roll stability control system for a pneumatically operated vehicle brake system is implemented using simpler ABS hardware rather than more complex EBS hardware. For each brake chamber or channel, two 3/2 solenoid controlled valves are used. An ECU is operative to control the solenoids. The ECU is preferably operative to provide a selected delivery pressure to the brake chamber without measurement of delivery pressure to the brake chamber. Supply air is provided at a known pressure to a first solenoid controlled valve that is associated with the brake chamber; the amount of time of energization and de-energization of the first valve that is needed to provide an output therefrom of a given pressure, is calculated; and the first valve is energized and de-energized for the calculated times, thereby to cause a low-pressure test pulse to be provided to the brake chamber.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a vehicle motion control apparatus, which includes a hydraulic pressure regulating device disposed between a master cylinder and a pair of wheel brake cylinders included in each of a dual hydraulic circuit, and a monitor for monitoring state variable of the vehicle. It is determined whether a wheel out of the wheels operatively associated with the pair of wheel brake cylinders is located on the inside of a curve along which the vehicle is turning, or located on the outside of the curve. Also, a state of road holding of the wheel located on the inside of the curve is determined. A desired value for the wheel located on the outside of the curve is set at least on the basis of the road holding determination.

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.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a method and system for providing brake control, autobrake and antiskid brake functionality by recognizing that the only difference between the three functions is the amount of deceleration they allow. Unlike a conventional system where the pedals represent brake pressure, the present invention interprets pedal commands as desired deceleration. The method and system involve controlling acceleration of a wheel reference speed and setting a desired slip based on autobrake settings, pedal positions, and various parameters. A proportional/integral/derivative algorithm controls wheel speed and is monitored for normal operation. Abnormal operation generates control parameters which are used to alter the wheel reference speed and its deceleration. Additionally, vehicles using the invention will benefit from improved yaw stability, even brake temperatures and differential braking during antiskid operation.

Abstract: A device for a vehicle equipped with a wheel slip control system is described as having a determination device for determining first variables, each of which may be assigned to one wheel and/or the associated wheel brake. In addition, it includes a calculation device in which at least one second variable is calculated for at least one wheel axle of the vehicle from the first variables associated with the wheels of this wheel axle, this second variable being a measure of the difference between the first variables associated with this wheel axle. In addition, this device includes an averaging device in which a third variable is determined by averaging over time and/or filtering the at least one second variable, and it includes a comparator device which compares the value of the third variable with a preselectable limit value.

Abstract: A method is directed to controlling a traction control system including a controllable center coupling and a controlled brake system. The method provides for receiving axle speed information, receiving a vehicle speed, determining at least one difference value between the vehicle speed and the axle speed information, and activating the controllable center coupling and the controlled brake system responsive to the difference values. The step of activating the controllable center coupling responsive to at least one of the difference values may include comparing the at least one difference value to at least one associated threshold value, and activating the controllable center coupling based on the comparison. The step of activating the controllable center coupling based on the comparison may include determining an engine torque request value based on the comparison, and engaging an engine with the controllable center coupling based on the engine torque request value.

Abstract: An integrated sensing system for an automotive vehicle includes a plurality of sensors sensing the dynamic conditions of the vehicle. The sensors include a sensor cluster, a steering angle sensor, wheel speed sensors, any other sensors required by subsystem controls. The outputs from the sensing system are used to drive various vehicle control systems and to warn the drivers for certain abnormal operating conditions. The vehicle controls coupled with the integrated sensing system controller achieve control objectives including: fuel economy, chassis controls, traction controls, active safety, active ride comfort, active handling, and passive safety.

Abstract: A method for providing traction control when starting off a vehicle on a road surface having different adhesive friction values between the right and left sides of the vehicle, the driven low-&mgr; wheel being regulated to a specified setpoint slip pre-control value by a braking intervention if spinning occurs. In order to improve driving comfort, the engine speed is adjusted to the particular standing start conditions. To this end, the engine torque actually required for starting off is determined as soon as the vehicle is set in motion and has exceeded a specified speed threshold, and the engine speed actually required for starting off under the given conditions is determined from this. From this in turn, a new, corrected setpoint slip value is calculated and the setpoint slip is abruptly reduced or increased from the setpoint slip pre-control value to the newly calculated, corrected setpoint slip value.

Abstract: A system for controlling vehicle braking operation includes a mechanism for determining desired service brake force, a mechanism for determining vehicle deceleration, an electronically actuatable engine compression brake unit, an electronically controllable turbocharger boost pressure adjustment device and a transmission including a number of automatically selectable gear ratios, wherein each of these components are coupled to a control computer. The control computer is operable to activate the engine compression brakes whenever service brake action is detected, and to modulate the downshift engine speed points of the transmission as a function of the desired brake force. The boost pressure adjustment device and the engine compression brake may optionally be controlled to maintain a vehicle deceleration rate below a deceleration rate threshold. Alternatively, the downshift engine speed points may be controlled to maintain the vehicle deceleration rate below the deceleration rate threshold.

Abstract: In a method for the avoidance of rollover phenomena in semitrailers with the emission of warning signals for the driver of the vehicle when driving inappropriately, the center of gravity of the load of the semitrailer is calculated in an on-board computer. From the center of gravity thus determined and the known weight of the loaded semitrailer, the on-board computer calculates a rollover limit as a function of instantaneous driving parameters, on exceeding of which limit a warning is issued to the driver of the vehicle.

Abstract: A traction control system having a braking intervention in particular for motor vehicles in which a slipping wheel is braked by a braking intervention on exceeding a slippage threshold. To improve the stability and steerability of the vehicle on slopes having different adhesive friction values between the right and left sides of the vehicle (&mgr;-split), the slippage threshold of the slipping low-&mgr; wheel is adjusted as a function of the slope, the slippage threshold of the slipping wheel being increased with an increase in slope in the case of a front-wheel drive vehicle and is decreased with an increase in slope in the case of a rear-wheel drive vehicle.

Abstract: A target resultant force to be applied to a vehicle body is calculated, the magnitude of a critical friction circle of each wheel is estimated, and a critical resultant force is estimated from the estimated magnitude of the critical friction circle. Subsequently, a ratio of the target resultant force to a critical resultant force is set as an effective road friction, and the magnitude of a tire force is set by using the magnitude of the critical friction circle and the effective road friction. The direction of the tire force of each wheel to be controlled is set based on the sum of products, which are calculated for all other wheels, of a distance from the position of the wheel to be controlled to the position of the other wheel in a direction of the resultant force, and the magnitude of the tire force of the other wheel. Cooperative control of steering and braking or steering and driving of each wheel to be controlled is performed based on the magnitude and direction of the tire force which have been set.

Abstract: Device for detecting a detached tire of a vehicle. This device includes an arrangement for detecting the rotational movements of the wheels and generating first quantities that are dependent on the rotational movements detected. A comparison arrangement is also provided in which at least one comparison involving at least one of the first quantities is carried out, as well as an evaluation arrangement in which a signal is output as a function of the output of the at least one comparison. The at least one comparison carried out in the comparison arrangement is preceded by a sorting operation in which at least two of the first quantities are sorted by value; and a detached tire is detected as a function of the signal output by the evaluation arrangement.

Abstract: An electronically controlled hydraulic brake system is configured to obtain an attainment brake hydraulic pressure which can be achieved when a motor drive current command value is applied to a pressure increasing pump motor, to set a virtual initial pressure of the brake hydraulic pressure, to obtain a linear compensation executed attainment brake hydraulic pressure by linearly compensating the attainment brake hydraulic pressure using the actual brake hydraulic pressure, to calculate an ideal flow rate of the pressure increasing pump from a hydrodynamic flow rate equation, to obtain the linear compensation executed attainment brake hydraulic pressure by executing an inverse calculation of the flow rate equation from the ideal flow rate and the actual brake hydraulic pressure, and to obtain a linear compensation executed motor drive current command value by executing an inverse calculation of the calculation for obtaining the linear compensation executed attainment brake hydraulic pressure.

Abstract: In a vehicular brake force control apparatus, an engine brake force Feb is calculated; a road surface friction coefficient &mgr; and a rear wheel degree of grip &egr;r is calculated ; and a threshold value Ke is calculated such that the threshold value Ke increases as the road surface friction coefficient &mgr; becomes smaller. When the rear wheel degree of grip &egr;r is smaller than the threshold value Ke, it is determined that vehicle behavior of a vehicle is liable to become unstable when the engine brake force Feb acts. In this case, a sum of the engine brake force Feb and a target friction brake force Fbv based upon a steering operation amount of a driver is distributed to each wheel in accordance with a distribution that stabilizes the vehicle behavior of the vehicle. Based on this distribution result, a friction brake force and an output torque of the engine are controlled.

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.

Abstract: A brake control system for a vehicle is comprised of a first braking device that generates a braking torque by operating a driving source of the vehicle and a second braking device that generates the braking torque by operating a hydraulic brake system of the vehicle. A controller of the brake control system is arranged to calculate a desired braking torque according to a driver's demand, to divide the desired braking torque into a low-frequency component and a high-frequency component, to command the first braking device to generate the high-frequency component, and to command at least one of the first braking device and the second braking device to generate the low-frequency component.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for controlling traction slip, wherein a variable defining the wheel behavior on at least one of the driven wheels is determined, and control states such as increase brake pressure, decrease brake pressure, or maintain brake pressure are controlled in dependence on this variable, and the change-over between the control states, such as increase brake pressure, decrease brake pressure, or maintain brake pressure, or switch on or off traction slip control are regulated. In order to improve the control, at least one further variable which represents the running stability of the engine, is included in the control of the control states and/or the switch-over between the control states.

Abstract: To implement a brake system having an electric parking brake function as well as comfort-oriented, brake-specific driver assistance functions (starting-traction control, hill holder, parking assistance, etc.), it is especially required to further process input data relating to the driving condition of the motor vehicle and being used to detect the driver's request within an integrated control device in such a way that an operation of the brake system which is reliable and takes the driving situation into consideration is ensured. To this end, the electronic control device that serves to generate control signals for a subsequent actuator device which is connected to the wheel brakes is designed in a modular manner. The control device contains individual software modules which evaluate and further process the input data recorded by the control device.

Abstract: A traction control device for a vehicle that has at least one axle, to which two driven wheels are assigned, the traction control device, when one of the driven wheels of the axle shows a tendency to spin, regulating the kinematic behavior of the wheel tending to spin by building up a first wheel brake pressure such that the wheel tending to spin of the axle remains within a permissible slip range. In order to reduce disturbance torques caused by the first wheel brake pressure for a wheel that is not tending to spin of the axle, a second wheel brake pressure is built up, which is adjustable independently of the first wheel brake pressure. Also described is a method for controlling the slip of at least one driven wheel of an axle of a vehicle.

Abstract: A system for determining the height of the center of gravity of a vehicle includes an arrangement configured to determine a difference between wheel contact forces, an arrangement configured to determine a transverse acceleration, an arrangement configured to determine comparison values which compares the change in the difference between wheel contact forces with the change in the transverse acceleration, and an arrangement configured to evaluate a roll model which determines the height of the center of gravity from the comparison values. Furthermore, a corresponding method is for determining the height of the center of gravity of a vehicle.

Abstract: A trailer control system incorporates sensors on both the trailer and a tow vehicle towing the trailer to measure operating parameters of both the trailer and the tow vehicle or prime mover. A computer mounted in the trailer or in the tow vehicle gathers input data from the sensors, including a variety of measurements of force, displacement, and temperature for the tow vehicle, the trailer, and their components. The computer may also be used to apply braking forces to the wheels of the trailer. Using the simulator, a variety of components on the trailer may be tested, their performance measured, and a better trailer may be designed. A trailer may also incorporate such a system for better control of the trailer and the combination vehicle of which it is a part.

Abstract: A method of stabilizing a vehicle equipped with a slip-controlled brake system is described. This is done by determining the wheel speeds of the individual wheels of the vehicle. For at least one wheel, a wheel speed setpoint is determined. For the at least one wheel, a deviation quantity describing the deviation between the wheel speed determined for that wheel and the setpoint is determined. To stabilize the vehicle, actuators assigned to the at least one wheel are activated as a function of this deviation quantity.

Abstract: An articulated work machine has a front frame and a rear frame connected for pivotal movement therebetween for steering the machine by an articulation joint. Each of the front and rear frames has two driven wheels, spaced laterally, each having a brake associated therewith. As the machine articulates during steering, one or more of the wheels may lose traction and slip. An electronic traction control system receives measured wheel speed signals and an articulation angle signal, calculates a desired wheel speed responsive to the wheel speed and articulation angle signals, and selectively applies the brakes until the measured wheel speed is equal to the desired wheel speed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling a behavior of a vehicle apply a braking force to at least one predetermined wheel of the vehicle when the vehicle undergoes an undesirable behavior, such as a spin or a drift-out. The apparatus and method control a rate of reduction of the braking force to be smaller with an increase in a degree of deceleration of the vehicle caused by application of the braking force to the predetermined wheel.

Abstract: A method and a device for anti-slip control, in particular, for traction control, in a motor vehicle, in which, in a first operating mode, a braking force is applied individually to each driving wheel with a tendency to spin to reduces its slip, and in which, in a second operating mode, an output quantity of the driving motor is additionally reduced if two driving wheels on the same axle show a tendency to spin, thereby avoiding, in an especially reliable manner, unwanted switching from the first to the second operating mode. A switch from the first to the second operating mode takes place no earlier than the end of a first waiting time that is selected in proportion to the difference between the braking forces applied to the two driving wheels with a tendency to spin and occurs after the tendency to spin of the second driving wheel is detected.

Abstract: The trunnion (23) of a vehicle toroidal continuously variable transmission is displaced by a step motor (52) via a control valve (56) and oil pressure servo cylinder (50) in order to vary a speed ratio of the transmission. A controller (80) calculates a target value (z*) of a control variable (z) based on an accelerator pedal depression amount (APS) and output disk rotation speed (&ohgr;co) (S5). Further, a time-variant coefficient (f) showing the relation between the trunnion displacement (y) and variation rate ({dot over (&phgr;)}) of the gyration angle (&phgr;) of the power roller, is calculated (S10). The error between the speed change response of the transmission and a target linear characteristic can be decreased by determining a command value (u) to the step motor (52) under a control gain determined based on a time differential ({dot over (f)}) of the coefficient (f) (S20).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for monitoring the traction of a motor vehicle having at least two wheels (12) that includes at least one wheel-force sensor (10) which is assigned to a wheel (12), detects at least one wheel-force component of the respective wheel (12) acting essentially between the road surface and tire contact surface, emits a signal (Si, Sa) representing the wheel-force component, and includes an evaluation device (14) that processes the signal (Si, Sa) representing the wheel-force component of the wheel (12). According to the invention, the evaluation device (14) evaluates when the relevant wheel (12) is lifting off according to the processing results. The invention furthermore relates to a method for monitoring traction.

Abstract: A device for detecting a pendulum motion of a vehicle. The device includes at least one first ascertainment arrangement, with which a lateral-motion-dynamics quantity is ascertained that represents the lateral motion dynamics of the vehicle. In addition, the device includes a second ascertainment arrangement with which a speed quantity is ascertained that describes the vehicular speed. With the aid of a third ascertainment arrangement it is ascertained, as a function of the at least one lateral-motion-dynamics quantity and the speed quantity, whether a pendulum motion of the vehicle exists. For that purpose, it is at least checked whether the at least one lateral-motion-dynamics quantity is greater than an associated threshold value and the speed quantity is greater than an associated threshold value. A pendulum motion of the vehicle exists when the lateral-motion-dynamics quantity is greater than the associated threshold value and when the speed quantity is greater than the associated threshold value.

Abstract: A traction control for a motor vehicle responds to detection of a rough road surface so as to shift control away from propulsion power reduction and toward brake control to an over-spinning driven wheel when the rough road surface is detected. This better adapts the traction control to a road surface that may have a high coefficient of friction but produces intermittent loss of traction due to wheel hop or normal force fluctuations due to the rough road surface. The lower power reduction is obtained by increasing a target brake pressure used to derive a brake pressure error signal from which from which a power reduction command is derived. A delta target brake pressure may also be increased to provide a higher target velocity for the driven wheel propulsion.

Abstract: A movement of a vehicle is detected, using tire sensors, by evaluating detected, measured signals in an evaluating unit in such a manner, that the polarity of the measured signals, starting from the measured signals at vehicle standstill, is used as an indicator of the vehicle moving direction.

Abstract: A method and a system for operating a brake system of a motor vehicle having traction control are described. The brake system contains sensors which are assigned to the individual vehicle wheels and with which a quantity representing at least the driving and/or braking forces acting between the road surface and the vehicle wheel is detected for the respective vehicle wheel. For operation of the brake system having traction control, pressure quantities which describe the brake pressure established for the respective vehicle wheel are analyzed. The pressure quantities are determined as a function of the quantities detected by the sensors.

Abstract: A traction control system of a vehicle having a device for calculating a target traction torque of each of a pair of driving wheels based upon operating conditions of the vehicle, a device for calculating a target slip ratio of each of the pair of driving wheels based upon the target traction torque calculated therefor, and a device for controlling the engine and the brake system such that actual slip ratio of each of the pair of driving wheels coincides with the target slip ratio calculated therefor according to a feedback control, with a partial feedforward control of the engine and the brake system based upon the target traction torque.

Abstract: The footrest force of the footrest function attached to a vehicle braking pedal is adjusted by a driver's-lad estimation device for deciding a footrest force corresponding to an individual driver and correspondingly to a load computed by the load estimation device. A detection device for detecting whether the present vehicle presently corners is used to change the set speed of the vehicle in accordance with the radius of a corner.

Abstract: A braking torque regulator for a vehicle includes a braking energy recovery arrangement that is able to generate a first braking torque which may not exceed a maximum first braking torque, and a mechanical brake system that is able to generate a second braking torque. The braking torque regulator is supplied with a setpoint braking torque, and the first braking torque and/or the second braking torque is regulated by the braking torque regulator so that the setpoint braking torque is used to correct an actual braking torque detected by a sensor system. A method is for regulating a braking torque in a vehicle and circuitry for a braking torque regulator for a vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle traction control apparatus and method where an amount of pressure change of braking pressure is based on the amount of acceleration slip and the wheel acceleration. When the traction control is being performed and the braking force is being increased, an upper limit pressure increase amount of braking pressure is based on the engine revolution speed, and the estimated braking pressure, so that the calculated value is smaller if the revolution speed or the estimated braking pressure is greater. The upper limit pressure increase amount of braking pressure is corrected so that it is greater if the speed reduction ratio of the transmission is smaller. If the amount of pressure change of requested braking pressure is excessively high, and the amount of increase in braking pressure needs to be limited, the amount of pressure change of braking pressure is limited to the corrected upper limit pressure increase amount.

Abstract: A driving control device and methods including controllers for independently controlling a steering angle, and braking and driving force of each wheel. The device includes detectors that detect driver input including a steering operation amount, a driving force operation amount, and a braking force operation amount. Moreover, the device includes calculators that calculate a vehicle target longitudinal and lateral force, and a vehicle target yaw moment based on the inputs by the driver, a target generating force of each wheel based on the detected amounts, and a target steering angle and target braking and driving torque of each wheel based on the target generating force of each wheel. Finally, a controller controls the device so that a steering angle and the braking and driving torque of each wheel are determined to be the target steering angle and the target braking and driving torque.

Abstract: In order to judge whether a driver has pressed a brake pedal, a stroke sensor and a brake pedal pressing force sensor had to be installed in a conventional vehicle brake control device which required a complex attachment structure and time for attachment work and for attachment position adjusting work of the sensors. In the present brake booster control device, based on at least one of when an output (master cylinder pressure) larger by a predetermined amount than an output (master cylinder pressure Pr) expected from a current applied to the solenoid 6 in the brake booster 4 is obtained, when an output (master cylinder pressure) larger by a predetermined amount than a control target output (target master cylinder pressure) is obtained and when an output variation larger by a predetermined amount in an increasing direction than a variation component of the control target output (target master cylinder pressure) is obtained, it is judged that the driver has pressed the brake pedal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling a behavior of a vehicle apply a braking force to at least one predetermined wheel of the vehicle when the vehicle undergoes an undesirable behavior, such as a spin or a drift-out. The apparatus and method control a rate of reduction of the braking force to be smaller with an increase in a degree of deceleration of the vehicle caused by application of the braking force to the predetermined wheel.

Abstract: A brake system control method is provided which makes it possible to carry out ABS control depending on actual road surface conditions in carrying out ABS control while automatic braking is being activated. The control mode of an ABS controller carried out while automatic braking is being activated set at select-low control for both front and rear wheels so that braking forces will act such that slips right and left wheels produced due to actual road surface conditions will be the same. Thus, it is possible to prevent yawing and prevent the steering wheel from getting out of control and to ensure maximum braking force according to the actual road surface conditions.

Abstract: A system and method for ABS stability control is provided, the method comprising the steps of determining whether a first wheel is in an ABS mode; determining whether the first wheel is in an apply mode; determining whether a second parallel wheel is in the release mode; calculating an adjusted wheel slip if the first wheel is in the ABS mode, the first wheel is in the apply mode, and the second parallel wheel is in the release mode; and determining a control mode for the first wheel using the adjusted wheel slip.

Abstract: A braking torque regulator for a vehicle includes a braking energy recovery arrangement that is able to generate a first braking torque which may not exceed a maximum first braking torque, and a mechanical brake system that is able to generate a second braking torque. The braking torque regulator is supplied with a setpoint braking torque, and the first braking torque and/or the second braking torque is regulated by the braking torque regulator so that the setpoint braking torque is used to correct an actual braking torque detected by a sensor system. A method is for regulating a braking torque in a vehicle and circuitry for a braking torque regulator for a vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus for stabilizing a vehicle combination made up of a tractor vehicle and a trailer or semitrailer. For this purpose, the apparatus contains a first determination arrangement used to determine an inflection angle variable that describes the angle between the longitudinal axis of the tractor vehicle and the longitudinal axis of the trailer or semitrailer. The apparatus also contains a processing arrangement with which a comparison is performed as a function of the inflection angle variable and a comparison variable. The apparatus contains a first actuator arrangement associated with the trailer or semitrailer and with which a brake pressure can be established at at least one wheel of the trailer or semitrailer. The first actuator arrangement is actuated at least as a function of the comparison performed with the processing arrangement.

Abstract: A travel speed controller for use in an electrically powered light weight vehicle with a battery-powered motor and a control circuit. If an operator applies some accelerating force or a physical force, to the vehicle body, the control circuit receives a plus signal from a rotation transmission means attached to its wheel, corresponding to the accelerating force, and calculates an acceleration based on operation treatment of variation of time intervals of the pulse signal, memorizes the acceleration, and supplies to the motor a driving electric current corresponding to the memorized acceleration. If a higher acceleration is calculated, the memorized acceleration is renewed and a driving electric current is supplied to the motor, corresponding to the renewed acceleration.

Abstract: This invention is a method and system for a hybrid electric vehicle adaptive fuel strategy to quickly mature an adaptive fuel table. The strategy adaptively alters the amount of fuel delivered to an internal combustion engine to optimize engine efficiency and emissions using engine sensors. Before the adaptive fuel strategy is permitted, an engine “on” idle arbitration logic requires the HEV to be in idle conditions, with normal battery state of charge, normal vacuum in the climate control and brake system reservoir; and, the vapor canister not needing purging. The strategy orders the engine throttle to sweep different airflow regions of the engine to adapt cells within the adaptive fuel table. In the preferred configuration, a generator attached to the vehicle drive train, adds and subtracts torque to maintain constant engine speed during the throttle sweeps.

Abstract: A driving force control apparatus is provided to optimize the acceleration performance and improve the energy efficiency of a vehicle. Preferably, the front wheels are driven by the internal combustion engine, while the rear wheels are driven by the electric motor. The electric motor is driven by electrical power generated by the generator. The generator is driven by the engine. When acceleration slippage occurs in the front wheels, the generator is controlled so as to produce a generation load torque corresponding to the acceleration slippage magnitude.