Ford Motor Company Limited

David Sol

Shunso F Watanabe

Ross Maxwell Stuntz

A vehicle inertia and center of gravity estimator uses averaged displacement measurements to estimate changes in vehicle body mass, vehicle center of gravity location, and vehicle pitch moment of inertia, due to variations in fuel load, passenger load, and cargo load. The system is responsive to the acceleration of the vehicle for providing displacement readings, the mass of the vehicle, and the rotation of the vehicle to optimally adjust vehicle parameters. Variables used in estimating vehicle conditions include vehicle vertical displacement, vehicle ride height, vehicle mass, vehicle pitch moment of inertia, vehicle center of gravity location, and vehicle wheel base.

Vehicle inertia and center of gravity estimator

A system and method for estimating hill slope and coefficient of friction for a road surface from vehicle and engine measurements. A first variable related to hill slope and a second variable related to road surface coefficient of friction are generated from the vehicle and engine measurements and may be used in a variety of control applications. The method includes the steps of generating a first variable related to the slope of the hill and a second variable related to the coefficient of friction of the road surface. The hill slope can be determined from the first variable and the coefficient of friction of the road surface can be determined from the second variable. These estimated values can then be used in control applications. The braking and traction control systems of a vehicle respond to a first variable related to hill slope and a second variable related to road surface of coefficient of friction.

Road surface friction and hill slope estimator

An adaptive throttle controller for vehicle traction control is capable of adapting to changes in vehicle and engine parameters in order to compensate for uncertainties in vehicle parameters. The controller operates in a self-tuning mode by varying feedback gains online based on input/output relationships. The throttle controller system includes a wheel speed sensor for providing a first feedback variable related to wheel spin error, a traction controller for providing a second feedback variable related to throttle position, and a throttle control system responsive to the first and second feedback variable for controlling the throttle position to prevent wheel spin. The traction control method includes the steps of providing a wheel speed sensor for generating a first feedback variable related to wheel spin error, providing a traction controller for generating a second feedback variable related to throttle position, and providing a throttle control system responsive to the first and second feedback variables for controlling the throttle position to prevent wheel spin.

Adaptive throttle controller for vehicle traction control

A method and system for controlling a vehicle braking system on slippery surfaces and hills uses estimates of external conditions from vehicle and engine measurements in a feedforward manner to control vehicle brake pressure on slippery or changing surfaces and hills to compensate for external disturbances in an optimal manner. The present invention provides a dual feedforward/feedback system for and method of controlling vehicle braking. The method includes the step of generating a first disturbance value related to the slope of a hill and a second disturbance value related to the coefficient of friction of the road surface. The first and second disturbance values are then summed to generate a feedforward control value for controlling the level of vehicle braking. The system for controlling vehicle braking includes a first disturbance value related to the slope of a hill and a second disturbance value related to the coefficient of friction of the road surface. The first and second disturbance values are summed to generate a feedforward control value for controlling the level of vehicle braking.

Vehicle braking system controller/road friction and hill slope tracking

A system and method for controlling vehicle traction uses estimates of external conditions from vehicle and engine measurements in a feedforward manner to control vehicle traction on slippery or changing surfaces and hills to compensate for external disturbances in an optimal manner. The present invention provides a dual feedforward/feedback system for a method of controlling vehicle traction. The method includes the step of generating a first feedforward value related to the slope of a hill and a second feedforward value related to the coefficient of friction of the load surface. The first and second feedforward values are then summed to generate a feedforward control value for controlling the level of vehicle traction. The system for controlling vehicle traction includes a first feedforward value related to the slope of a hill and a second feedforward value related to the coefficient of friction of the road surface. The first and second feedforward values are summed to generate a feedforward control value for controlling the level of vehicle traction.

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Dearborn, MI, United States of America

David Sol