Abstract:
A drive system is provided for an off-road vehicle that moves across unprepared terrain such as snow, tundra or ice. A plurality of n flexible airbag tires are in contact with the terrain and are driven by n top drive rollers carried by the chassis of the vehicle which frictionally engage and drive the airbag tires. A novel electromotive drive system is provided which includes a plurality of n electromotive drive motors connected to each of the n top drive rollers. Separate controllers having speed sensors and torque sensors are provided for sensing and controlling the instantaneous rotational speed and torque of each independent electromotive drive motor. A central, cab mounted computer based controller responsive to the independent motor controllers and various other inputs controls the instantaneous speed and torque of each of the individual drive motors. The independent speed and torque control of each drive motor is used to increase traction, assist steering, provide braking and regenerative electrical power.
Abstract:
A method of and system for detecting absolute acceleration along various axes relative to a desired movement vector while moving relative to a gravity source includes steps of determining a vertical acceleration, perpendicular to the desired movement vector and substantially anti-parallel to a gravitational acceleration due to the gravity source; determining a longitudinal acceleration, parallel to the desired movement vector and to output at vertical acceleration signal and a longitudinal acceleration signal; determining an inclination of the desired movement vector relative to the gravitational acceleration; and processing the vertical acceleration signal, the longitudinal acceleration signal, and the inclination signal to produce an absolute vertical acceleration signal and an absolute longitudinal acceleration signal.
Abstract:
Die Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren und eine Vorrichtung zur Durchführung eines Bremsvorgangs. Eine die Soll-Fahrzeugverzögerung (Z soll ) beschreibende Verzögerungsgröße (Z soll ) wird verringert, wenn der Fahrzustand des Fahrzeugs während des Bremsvorgangs eine erste Zustandsbedingung erfüllt und wieder erhöht, wenn der Fahrzustand des Fahrzeugs eine zweite Zustandsbedingung erfüllt. Die erste Zustandsbedingung und/oder die zweite Zustandsbedingung hängt dabei vom Vorderachs-Einfederweg (S VA ) und/oder vom Hinterachs-Einfederweg (S HA ) ab.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for controlling frame rise on a heavy duty truck having a frame, a drive axle connected to the frame, and a selectively lockable suspension component disposed therebetween for maintaining the relative position therebetween. Signals indicative of at least one of the following vehicle operating parameters: engine speed, brake pressure, vehicle speed, air bag pressure, steering wheel angle, vehicle height, or throttle position are monitored and a predicted thrust is calculated that will be applied to the drive axle based on the monitored signals. The selectively lockable suspension component is locked if the predicted thrust exceeds a predetermined threshold and is also controlled with respect to other operating parameters such as whether vehicle brakes are applied, any instantaneous change in torque, vehicle operating speed, and the length of time the selectively lockable suspension component has been locked.
Abstract:
An automatic pneumatic control system (30) for the air springs (16) of a semi-trailer air-ride trailing beam-type axle/suspension system (11). A plurality of conduits (38,42,44) and valves (32,35,41,43) of the control system pneumatically interconnect one or more sources of compressed air (31,39), the vehicle parking brakes (37) and the suspension air springs (16). The control system (30) incorporates a vented two-position two-way pilot valve (52) for controlling inflation and deflation of each air spring (16). The valve (52) closes when air pressures in a pair of control system sensor lines (45,51) differ, thereby enabling complete or nearly complete deflation of the air spring (16) it controls before the parking brake (37) is set, thereby minimizing or eliminating the problems of trailer drop and walk during loading of an empty trailer, heretofore caused by complete or nearly complete deflation of the air springs (16) only after the parking brakes (37) are already set.
Abstract:
The present invention pertains a method and a system for controlling a stand-by braking torque applied to an automotive vehicle under a condition of approaching or following an obstacle preceding the vehicle, the automotive vehicle having a powering system for applying a driving torque to the vehicle in response to an operator power demand. A brake controller executes a series of instructions for determining a variable indicative of dynamic situation of the vehicle, for sampling the determined values of the dynamic situation indicative variable immediately before an operator braking action to reduce the speed of the vehicle is imminent, for using the sampled values of the dynamic situation indicative variable as a basis to establish a parameter, and for using the established parameter as a basis to determine a target value of stand-by braking torque.
Abstract:
An ABS device comprising an arbitrary number of first sensors (15, 16) capable of obtaining road surface frictional force information corresponding to the road surface frictional force (F) working between the wheels of a vehicle and the surface of the road on which it is traveling and braking torque information corresponding to the braking torque (T) working between the wheels of the vehicle and its braking system; difference parameter (M) calculating means (21) for calculating M corresponding to the difference between the road surface frictional force information and the braking torque information from these first sensors (15, 16); and solenoid valve control means (23) for stopping, after reduction of the brake fluid pressure is started during the operation of the braking system, the pressure reduction when the value of M reaches a second threshold which is either equal to or slightly smaller in absolute value than a first threshold corresponding to the peak value of M.
Abstract:
A controller (16) for controlling a damping system (12) is disclosed. The system (12) has at least two dampers (12a-12d) for damping between sprung and unsprung masses (7, 2) in at least one of compression and rebound directions. A sensor (190a-190d) generates position signals (17a-17d) representative of the displacement between the sprung and unsprung masses (7, 2). A regulator (40a-40b) responds to at least one of the independent compression and rebound control signals (25a-25d, 27a-27d) for adjusting, respectively, at least one of compression and rebound resisting forces of the dampers (12a-12d) between the masses (2, 7). The controller (16) includes a processor (15) that is responsive to signals representative of the position signals (17a-17d) for forming the compression and rebound control signals (25a-25d, 27a-27d) for the regulator (40a, 40b) as a function of motion between the masses (2, 7) or a motion of a vehicle (8) in which the dampers (12a-12d) are located.
Abstract:
A vehicle air suspension can be controlled between a Standard setting of ride height and a lower, Kneel, setting. Movement to or from the Kneel setting is frozen if a door is opened or if the footbrake is applied. Alteration to the Kneel setting is prevented except when the vehicle is stationary. The suspension reverts to the Standard ride height if the vehicle is driven off or the handbrake is released. Movement of the suspension to or from a lower or higher setting is carried out sequentially to prevent headlamp dazzle. If the vehicle becomes partly supported by direct contact between the chassis and the ground (belly-out) this is detected by monitoring signals to ride height control valves and by providing a controlled re-inflation and balancing of the air springs.
Abstract:
An auxiliary suspension unit (A) for mounting parallel to a standard shock absorber comprises a cylinder (52) receiving a piston (42) which includes a piston head (46) mounted to a piston rod (44) and defining in the cylinder first and second chambers (72, 74) filled with oil (76). The first chamber (72) is on the rod side of the piston head (46). A spring structure (132) comprises a floating piston (112) and a high pressure accumulator (126) contained in a third chamber (122) with the floating piston (112) being slidable therein. The working fluid (76) from the second chamber (74) exerts pressure on the floating piston (112) and is opposed by the high-pressure accumulator (126) of the third chamber (122). The auxiliary unit (A) also comprises an actuator (20) for positioning a valve (64) provided on the piston (42) into first and second positions thereof and further comprises a control device (C) for the actuator (20). In the first position of the valve (64) and upon compression of the auxiliary unit (A), a bypass (288) allows fluid transfer from the second (274) to the first chamber (272). Alternatively, the bypass (288) can be replaced by a first orifice (86), whereby the fluid transferring from the second (74) to the first chamber (72) creates a damping force. In the second position of the valve (64), the bypass (288) or the first orifice (86) is closed. Therefore, fluid from the second chamber (74) passing through a second orifice (110) exerts pressure on the floating piston (112). The high-pressure accumulator (126) opposes a downward movement of the floating piston (112) into the third chamber (122) thereby providing a spring force to the auxiliary unit (A) along with a damping force resulting from the second orifice (110).