Torque distribution systems and methods for wheeled vehicles
First Claim
1. A system for controlling torques applied to a plurality of wheels of a motor vehicle, comprising:
- one or more speed sensors for determining speed for each of the plurality of wheels;
a vehicle yaw acceleration sensor for determining actual yaw acceleration of the vehicle;
a desired yaw acceleration sensor for determining intended yaw acceleration for the vehicle;
a net torque command sensor for determining intended vehicle direction and intended torque magnitude for the vehicle;
an electronic control unit for processing data from the speed sensors, the vehicle yaw acceleration sensor, the desired yaw acceleration sensor and the net torque command sensor to generate torque signals for the plurality of wheels; and
one or more torque producers, responsive to the torque signals, to vary torque applied to each of the plurality of wheels such that the wheels engage in one of acceleration and deceleration dependent upon driver intent and with controlled traction.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system controls torques applied to a plurality of wheels of a motor vehicle. One or more angular velocity sensors determine speed for each of the plurality of wheels. A vehicle yaw acceleration sensor determines actual yaw acceleration of the vehicle. A desired yaw acceleration sensor determines intended yaw acceleration for the vehicle. A net torque command sensor determines intended vehicle direction and intended torque magnitude for the vehicle. An electronic control unit processes data from the velocity sensors, the vehicle yaw acceleration sensor, the desired yaw acceleration sensor and the net torque command sensor to generate torque signals for the plurality of wheels. One or more torque producers responds to the torque signals to vary torque applied to each of the plurality of wheels, such that the wheels engage in one of acceleration and deceleration dependent upon driver intent and with controlled traction. Torque distribution among a plurality of wheels limits wheel slip, improves traction, and produces a yaw moment to correct oversteer or understeer conditions.
106 Citations
33 Claims
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1. A system for controlling torques applied to a plurality of wheels of a motor vehicle, comprising:
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one or more speed sensors for determining speed for each of the plurality of wheels;
a vehicle yaw acceleration sensor for determining actual yaw acceleration of the vehicle;
a desired yaw acceleration sensor for determining intended yaw acceleration for the vehicle;
a net torque command sensor for determining intended vehicle direction and intended torque magnitude for the vehicle;
an electronic control unit for processing data from the speed sensors, the vehicle yaw acceleration sensor, the desired yaw acceleration sensor and the net torque command sensor to generate torque signals for the plurality of wheels; and
one or more torque producers, responsive to the torque signals, to vary torque applied to each of the plurality of wheels such that the wheels engage in one of acceleration and deceleration dependent upon driver intent and with controlled traction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A software product comprising instructions, stored on computer-readable media, wherein the instructions, when executed by a computer, perform steps for controlling torque applied to wheels of a motor vehicle, comprising:
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determining speed for each of the plurality of wheels;
determining actual yaw acceleration of the vehicle;
determining intended yaw acceleration for the vehicle;
determining intended vehicle direction and intended torque magnitude for the vehicle; and
processing actual yaw acceleration, intended yaw acceleration, and intended torque magnitude of the vehicle and rotational velocity of each of the wheels to generate torque signals for the plurality of wheels;
such that the wheels engage in one of acceleration and deceleration dependent upon driver intent and with controlled traction. - View Dependent Claims (24)
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25. A system for distributing torque to a plurality of wheels of a motor vehicle, comprising:
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limit setting routine means for receiving signals indicative of rotational velocity for each of the plurality of wheels and for generating limits for the produced torque; and
torque distribution routine means for processing the limits with actual and intended yaw moments of the vehicle to designate the produced torque. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27)
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28. A vehicle with controlled traction, comprising:
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a plurality of wheels;
one or more torque producers for applying torque to each of the plurality of wheels;
one or more wheel sensors for sensing angular speed of each of the plurality of wheels;
one or more sensors for determining net torque, intended yaw acceleration and actual vehicle yaw acceleration; and
means for processing data from the sensors to generate control signals to the torque producers wherein torque is distributed among the plurality of wheels with controlled traction. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31)
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32. A system for controlling torques applied to a plurality of wheels of a motor vehicle, comprising:
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one or more speed sensors for determining speed for each of the plurality of wheels;
means for determining intended vehicle direction, intended torque magnitude for the vehicle and actual yaw acceleration;
an electronic control unit for processing data from the speed sensors to generate a target yaw moment for distribution amont the plurality of wheels; and
one or more torque producers, responsive to torque signals indicative of the target yaw moment to vary torque applied to each of the plurality of wheels such that the wheels engage in one of acceleration and deceleration dependent upon driver intent and with controlled traction. - View Dependent Claims (33)
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Specification