Control system for interactive driveline and vehicle control
First Claim
1. An apparatus for controlling yaw in a motor vehicle comprising, in combination:
- a rear axle having a pair of independently operable clutches adapted to drive a pair of rear axles, and pair of rear tire and wheel assemblies;
a plurality of speed sensors for sensing speeds of a plurality of tire and wheel assemblies;
a steering angle sensor;
a lateral acceleration sensor;
a yaw rate sensor; and
a microprocessor adapted to received signals from said sensors and provide first and second independent signals for actuating said pair of clutches, said microprocessor including means for detecting left and right oversteer and left and right understeer of said vehicle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for controlling torque delivery independently, i.e., asymmetrically, to the two rear axles and wheels of a vehicle with front wheel drive provides improved vehicle handling and performance. The apparatus includes a prime mover, transaxle, power takeoff, rear axle having a pair of independently controllable modulating clutches driving respective rear axle and wheels, various vehicle sensors and a microprocessor. The method, embodied in software in the microprocessor, senses wheel speeds, yaw rate, lateral acceleration, throttle position and steering wheel angle, determines various reference values and oversteer and understeer conditions and activates one or both of the two clutches.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for controlling yaw in a motor vehicle comprising, in combination:
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a rear axle having a pair of independently operable clutches adapted to drive a pair of rear axles, and pair of rear tire and wheel assemblies;
a plurality of speed sensors for sensing speeds of a plurality of tire and wheel assemblies;
a steering angle sensor;
a lateral acceleration sensor;
a yaw rate sensor; and
a microprocessor adapted to received signals from said sensors and provide first and second independent signals for actuating said pair of clutches, said microprocessor including means for detecting left and right oversteer and left and right understeer of said vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of controlling yaw in a motor vehicle comprising the steps of:
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sensing speeds of wheels of such motor vehicle;
sensing a position of a steering component of such vehicle;
sensing a yaw rate of such vehicle;
determining left oversteer, right oversteer, left understeer and right understeer of such vehicle;
providing a rear axle having a pair of independently operable clutches adapted to drive a respective one of a pair of rear wheels; and
activating said clutches in response to said determining of understeer and over steer. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of controlling yaw in a motor vehicle comprising the steps of:
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sensing speeds of wheels of such motor vehicle;
sensing a position of a steering component of such vehicle;
sensing a yaw rate of such vehicle;
sensing lateral acceleration of such vehicle;
determining left oversteer, right oversteer, left understeer and right understeer of such vehicle;
providing a rear axle having a pair of independent operable clutches adapted to drive a response one of a pair of rear wheels, and activating said clutches in response to the sensing of understeer and over steer. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification