Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080281488 | Vehicle Roll Control Method Using Controllable Friction Force of MR Dampers - A system for providing vehicle roll control that controls the friction-force of dampers provided at the wheels of the vehicle. The system includes a lateral acceleration sensor for determining the lateral acceleration of the vehicle, a steering angle sensor for determining the steering angle of the vehicle and a speed sensor for determining the speed of the vehicle. The system calculates a current control signal for one or more of the dampers based on the lateral acceleration and/or the steering angle, and uses one or both of the current control signals to control the friction-force of the inside, outside or both of the dampers. | 11-13-2008 |
20080306687 | GPS assisted vehicular longitudinal velocity determination - A vehicle includes a GPS system and a longitudinal accelerometer. Accelerometer corrections are derived based on GPS velocity data. Individual wheel speeds are determined based on GPS velocity data. Longitudinal vehicle velocity may be determined based on accelerometer data or individual wheel speeds. | 12-11-2008 |
20090235724 | IDENTIFICATION OF VEHICLE CG HEIGHT AND MASS FOR ROLL CONTROL - A system and method for determining vehicle CG height and mass in real-time. The method includes selecting a set of vehicle parameters to be considered that includes the vehicle mass and the center of gravity height of the vehicle. Frequency responses are generated using the dynamic model and a plurality of different values for the selected vehicle parameters. During vehicle operation, frequency responses are calculated from a measured vehicle lateral acceleration to a roll angle and/or a roll rate of the vehicle. The generated frequency responses and the calculated frequency responses are compared to determine which of the generated frequency responses more closely matches the calculated frequency responses. The generated frequency responses that most closely match the calculated frequency responses are used to determine the center of gravity height and the vehicle mass from the values for the vehicle parameters. | 09-24-2009 |
20090310237 | LANE CHANGE AID SIDE-MIRROR SYSTEM - A vehicle-mounted system for automatically adjusting a viewing angle of at least one rear-view mirror of a vehicle. The system includes a sensing unit for detecting and obtaining the positional parameters of an object in a side blind zone of the vehicle. The system also includes a control unit that is capable of adjusting the rear-view mirror based on the positional parameters received from the sensing unit, to facilitate viewing of the object by a driver of the vehicle. | 12-17-2009 |
20100017071 | AUTOMATIC REARVIEW MIRROR ADJUSTMENT SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE - Mirrors on a motor vehicle are adjusted by monitoring the position of a first, preferably manually adjusted, mirror and adjusting the position of additional mirrors based on the monitored position of the first one of the mirrors. | 01-21-2010 |
20100039720 | ROAD-ADAPTIVE SIDE MIRROR ADJUSTMENT SYSTEM - A system and method for automatically adjusting the viewing angle of both side rear-view mirrors on a vehicle when the vehicle is traveling on a hill. The system estimates the slope of the hill, and uses the estimated slope to determine a corrected viewing angle of the rear-view mirrors. Depending on whether the vehicle is traveling uphill or down-hill, would depend on which direction the rear-view mirrors will be adjusted. | 02-18-2010 |
20100039721 | REARVIEW MIRROR ADJUSTMENT SYSTEM FOR TRAILER ATTACHED VEHICLE - A system and method for automatically correcting the viewing angle of a rear-view mirror on a vehicle towing a trailer when the vehicle is traveling around a curve. If the dimensions of the trailer are unknown, then the corrected viewing angle is the same as the hitch angle between the vehicle and the trailer. If the dimensions of the trailer are known, then trigonometry is used to determine the corrected viewing angle. Depending on whether the road is curving to the right or to the left will determine whether the left side rear-view mirror or the right side rear-view mirror is adjusted. | 02-18-2010 |
20100039722 | ROAD CURVATURE ESTIMATION FOR REARVIEW MIRROR ADJUSTMENT SYSTEM - A system and method for automatically correcting the viewing angle of a rear-view mirror on a vehicle when the vehicle is traveling around a curve. The system estimates the curvature of the road using only vehicle speed and vehicle steering angle information. The road curvature estimation is used to determine the radius of curvature of the road, which can then be used to determine the corrected viewing angle of the rear-view mirror. Depending on whether the road is curving to the right or to the left will determine whether the left side rear-view mirror or the right side rear-view mirror will be adjusted. | 02-18-2010 |
20100042293 | Suspension System with Optimized Damper Response for Wide Range of Events - An analytical methodology for the specification of progressive optimal compression damping of a damper of a suspension system to negotiate a multiplicity of severe events, yet provides very acceptable ride quality and handling during routine events. The damping response of the damper is optimized based upon a progressive optimal constrained events damping function derived from a low envelope curve incorporated with a predetermined damper force acting on the wheel center below a predetermined wheel center velocity, u | 02-18-2010 |
20100080416 | EYE DETECTION SYSTEM USING A SINGLE CAMERA - A system and a method for detecting the eyes of a driver of a vehicle using a single camera. The method includes determining a set of positional parameters corresponding to a driving seat of the vehicle. The camera is positioned at a pre-determined location inside the vehicle, and a set of parameters corresponding to the camera is determined. The location of the driver's eyes is detected using the set of positional parameters, an image of the driver's face and the set of parameters corresponding to the camera. | 04-01-2010 |
20100131141 | BANK ANGLE ESTIMATION VIA VEHICLE LATERAL VELOCITY WITH FORCE TABLES - A method for road bank detection that has particular application in vehicle stability control systems and vehicle roll-over avoidance systems. The method for detection of a road bank includes obtaining a yaw rate value and a front and/or rear axle force value for a vehicle travelling on the road. It further includes comparing the obtained vehicle yaw rate value with a corresponding predetermined vehicle yaw rate value to obtain a vehicle yaw rate error value and comparing the obtained vehicle front and/or rear axle force value with a corresponding predetermined vehicle front and/or rear axle force value to obtain a vehicle front and/or rear axle force error value, and detecting the road bank based on the obtained vehicle yaw rate error value and the vehicle front and/or rear axle force error value. | 05-27-2010 |
20100131144 | KINEMATIC ESTIMATOR FOR VEHICLE LATERAL VELOCITY USING FORCE TABLES - A system and method for estimating vehicle lateral velocity. The method uses a kinematic estimator constructed as a closed-loop Leunberger observer. The kinematic estimator is based on a kinematic relationship between lateral acceleration measurement and rate of change of lateral velocity. The method provides measurement updates based on virtual lateral velocity measurements from front and rear axle lateral force versus axle side-slip angle tables using the lateral acceleration, yaw-rate, longitudinal speed, and steering angle measurements. The method calculates front and rear axle lateral forces from the lateral acceleration and yaw-rate measurements. The method estimates front and rear axle side-slip angles from the calculated front and rear axle lateral forces using the tables. The method calculates multiple virtual lateral velocities from the front and rear side-slip angles and selects one of the virtual lateral velocities that minimizes an error between a measured force and an estimated force as the lateral velocity. | 05-27-2010 |
20100131145 | VEHICLE LATERAL VELOCITY AND SURFACE FRICTION ESTIMATION USING FORCE TABLES - A system and method for estimating vehicle lateral velocity and surface coefficient of friction using front and rear axle lateral force versus side-slip angle tables and sensor measurements. The sensor measurements include lateral acceleration, yaw-rate, longitudinal speed and steering angle of the vehicle. The method includes calculating front and rear axle lateral forces and front and rear side-slip angles on the axles of the vehicle. The method also includes identifying two equations from the calculated lateral forces and the vehicle measurements. The method provides tables that identify a relationship between the calculated front and rear axle lateral forces and the front and rear side-slip angles, and determines the vehicle lateral velocity and surface coefficient of friction from the tables. | 05-27-2010 |
20100131146 | ESTIMATION OF SURFACE LATERAL COEFFICIENT OF FRICTION - A system and method for estimating surface coefficient of friction in a vehicle system. The method includes providing a kinematics relationship between vehicle yaw-rate, vehicle speed, vehicle steering angle and vehicle front and rear axle side-slip angles that is accurate for all surface coefficient of frictions on which the vehicle may be traveling. The method defines a nonlinear function for the front and rear axle side-slip angles relating to front and rear lateral forces and coefficient of friction, and uses the nonlinear function in the kinematics relationship. The method also provides a linear relationship of the front and rear axle side-slip angles and the front and rear lateral forces using the kinematics relationship. The method determines that the vehicle dynamics have become nonlinear using the linear relationship and then estimates the surface coefficient of friction when the vehicle dynamics are nonlinear. | 05-27-2010 |
20100131154 | ESTIMATION OF WHEEL NORMAL FORCE AND VEHICLE VERTICAL ACCELERATION - A method for estimating the normal force at a wheel of a vehicle and the vertical acceleration of the vehicle that has particular application for ride and stability control of the vehicle. The method includes obtaining a suspension displacement value from at least one of a plurality of suspension displacement sensors mounted on the vehicle and estimating a spring force acting on a spring of a suspension element of the vehicle, a damper force acting on a damper of the suspension element of the vehicle, and a force acting at a center of a wheel. The method further includes determining a normal force at the wheel of the vehicle and a vertical acceleration of the vehicle based on the spring force, the damper force and the force at the center of the wheel of the vehicle. | 05-27-2010 |
20100131229 | DYNAMIC OBSERVER FOR THE ESTIMATION OF VEHICLE LATERAL VELOCITY - A system and method for estimating vehicle lateral velocity that defines a relationship between front and rear axle lateral forces and front and rear axle side-slip angles. The method includes providing measurements of vehicle yaw-rate, lateral acceleration, longitudinal speed, and steering angle. The method also includes using these measurements to provide a measurement of the front and rear axle forces. The method calculates a front axle lateral velocity and a rear axle lateral velocity, and calculates a front axle side-slip angle based on the rear axle lateral velocity and a rear axle side-slip angle based on the front axle lateral velocity. The method then estimates front and rear axle forces, and selects a virtual lateral velocity that minimizes an error between the estimated and measured lateral axle forces. The method then provides an estimated vehicle lateral velocity using the selected virtual lateral velocity. | 05-27-2010 |
20100152952 | DETECTION OF DRIVER INTERVENTION DURING A TORQUE OVERLAY OPERATION IN AN ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM - A method for controlling an assisted steering maneuver in an electric power steering (EPS) system includes modeling steering dynamics during a torque overlay operation to generate a dynamic steering model (DSM), measuring vehicle operating values, and detecting a driver intervention in the torque overlay operation based on the DSM and the vehicle operating values. The torque overlay operation is overridden when driver intervention is detected, allowing the driver to regain control of the steering maneuver. A vehicle includes a steering wheel, a steering assist mechanism, and an EPS system having an electronic control unit (ECU) adapted to determine a present intent of a driver of the vehicle to interrupt application of the TOC based on a vehicle operating value transmitted by the driver to the steering wheel. The ECU is operable for interrupting the torque overlay operation when the present intent of the driver is determined. | 06-17-2010 |
20100177412 | ADAPTIVE VEHICLE SIDE MIRROR SYSTEM - Systems and methods for automatically adjusting the orientation of one or more mirrors present on a motorized vehicle are responsive to the spatial position of a component of a driver seat present in such motorized vehicle and the vehicle's primary rear-view mirror. | 07-15-2010 |
20100177413 | VEHICLE MIRROR CONTROL WITH SEAT POSITION INFORMATION - Systems and methods for automatically adjusting the orientation of one or more mirrors present on a motorized vehicle are responsive to the spatial position of at least one component of a driver seat present in such motorized vehicle. | 07-15-2010 |
20100198445 | METHOD OF OPERATING AN ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM - A method of stabilizing a vehicle is provided. The vehicle is travelling at a forward speed and a lateral speed, and comprises a lateral acceleration sensor, a yaw sensor adapted to detect an actual yaw rate of the vehicle around a central axis, a steering mechanism adapted to steer the vehicle by a steered yaw rate, and an electronic stability control system. The method comprises determining the forward speed of the vehicle with the electronic stability control system, determining a yaw error rate based upon a difference between the actual yaw rate of the vehicle and the steered yaw rate, determining the vehicle is in an unstable condition by comparing the yaw error rate to a first predetermined yaw rate, computing a calculated lateral speed based on acceleration data from the lateral acceleration sensor, the forward speed, and the actual yaw rate in response to determining the vehicle is in the unstable condition, calculating a correction factor based on the calculated lateral speed of the vehicle and the forward speed of the vehicle, and adjusting operation of the electronic stability control system by the correction factor. | 08-05-2010 |
20100214164 | Longitudinal and Lateral Velocity Estimation Using Single Antenna GPS and Magnetic Compass - A system and method is provided for determining a lateral velocity and a longitudinal velocity of a vehicle equipped. The vehicle includes only one antenna for a GPS receiver and a magnetic compass. A magnitude of a velocity vector of the vehicle is determined. A course angle with respect to a fixed reference using the single antenna GPS receiver is determined. A yaw angle of the vehicle is measured with respect to the fixed reference using a magnetic compass. A side slip angle is calculated as a function of the course angle and the yaw angle. The lateral velocity and longitudinal velocity is determined as a function of the magnitude of the velocity vector and the side slip angle. | 08-26-2010 |
20100274450 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PREDICTING VEHICLE ROLLOVER DURING A TRIP-OVER EVENT - A vehicle includes wheels, force sensors adapted for a vertical force and lateral force of each wheel, an onboard device, and a controller. The controller calculates vehicle values using the vertical force and lateral force, compares the values to a corresponding threshold, and automatically deploys the device when each element value does not exceed a corresponding threshold. A method for determining when to deploy an airbag includes measuring a vertical and lateral force at each wheel, and measuring a yaw rate and roll angle. A lateral velocity is calculated using the lateral force, and a lift of each wheel is calculated using the vertical force. The roll angle, roll rate, and stopping time are processed to generate a point on a 3D rollover plane. A rollover energy rate is calculated, and the airbag deploys when the point, rollover energy rate, and lift do not exceed a threshold. | 10-28-2010 |
20110098890 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DRIVER INTERVENTION IN AN AUTOMATIC STEERING SYSTEM - A vehicle steering system includes an automatic steering control unit configured to control the vehicle steering system when in an automatic operational state and a driver intervention unit is configured to determine driver intervention during the automatic operational state. The driver intervention unit comprising a decision software module configured to determine driver intervention. | 04-28-2011 |
20110112739 | GPS-Enhanced Vehicle Velocity Estimation - A method is provided for estimating vehicle velocity for a vehicle using a single-antenna global positioning system (GPS). An absolute speed and a course angle of the vehicle is measured using the single-antenna GPS. The yaw rates of the vehicle are measured independently of the GPS. An integrated yaw rate of the vehicle is calculated as a function of the measured yaw rates over a period of time. A yaw angle is determined as a function of a reference yaw angle and the integrated yaw rate. Aside slip angle is calculated as a function of the estimated yaw angle and the course angle provided by the GPS. The vehicle velocity is determined as a function of the absolute speed and the side slip angle. The vehicle velocity is provided to a vehicle dynamic control application. | 05-12-2011 |
20110128161 | VEHICULAR WARNING DEVICE FOR PEDESTRIANS - A pedestrian warning system includes a sensing device that is provided on the vehicle for detecting a pedestrian within a predetermined zone around the vehicle. A warning device on the vehicle generates a warning signal perceived by the pedestrian outside the vehicle indicating a presence of the vehicle. A speed sensor senses a speed of the vehicle. A controller is configured to receive a signal from the sensing device indicating the detection of the pedestrian within the predetermined zone. The controller determines whether the speed of the vehicle is within a predetermine speed range. The controller actuates the warning device for warning the pedestrian of the close proximity to the vehicle in response to determining the vehicle traveling at a respective speed is within the predetermined speed range and detecting the presence of the pedestrian within the predetermined zone. | 06-02-2011 |