Vehicle stability control system for enhanced transfer case compatibility

• US 7,276,014 B2
• Filed: 11/05/2004
• Issued: 10/02/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: NTN Corporation
• Original Assignee: NTN Corporation
• Inventors: Monahan, Russell, Goto, Shiro
• Primary Examiner(s): PANG, ROGER L
• Application Number:
  US10/981,975
• Publication Number:
  US 20060100062A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,061 Days
• Field of Search: 477/71, 477/94, 477/903, 477/170, 477/171, 477/180, 477/174, 477/115, 475/150, 475/231, 475/249, 192/220, 192/220.1, 192/219, 192/3.54, 701/69, 701/71, 701/72, 701/82, 701/83, 701/84, 701/88, 180/197, 180/248, 180/249
• US Class Current: 477/94
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 2201/14 Electronic locking-differential
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 8/1755 Brake regulation specially adapted to control the stability of the vehicle, e.g. taking into account yaw rate or transverse acceleration in a curve road vehicle drive control systems for control of driving stability otherwise than by controlling a particular sub-unit B60W30/02
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/02 including control of driveline clutches
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/06 including control of combustion engines
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/184 with wheel brakes

Abstract

A vehicle stability control system includes a controller configured to deactivate a traction control clutch, provide a reverse torque across the traction control clutch, and apply a braking torque according to a vehicle stability control strategy. The reverse torque across the traction control clutch may be provided by reducing an engine torque output, applying a pulse of brake pressure, or other means.

Claims

1. A vehicle stability control system for a vehicle, the vehicle having a traction control clutch, the vehicle stability control system comprising a controller configured to deactivate the traction control clutch, provide a reverse torque across the traction control clutch, and apply a braking torque according to a vehicle stability control strategy, the controller being further configured to detect an oversteering and acceleration condition, the controller being further configured to apply brake pressure to the outside front brake after the controller has detected the traction control clutch disengagement.

2. A vehicle stability control system for a vehicle, the vehicle having a traction control clutch, the vehicle stability control system comprising a controller configured to deactivate the traction control clutch, provide a reverse torque across the traction control clutch, and apply a braking torque according to a vehicle stability control strategy, the controller being further configured to detect an understeering and deceleration condition, the controller being further configured to apply brake pressure to the inside rear brake after the controller has detected the traction control clutch disengagement.

3. A vehicle stability control system for a vehicle, the vehicle having a traction control clutch, the vehicle stability control system comprising a controller configured to deactivate the traction control clutch, provide a reverse torque across the traction control clutch, and apply a braking torque according to a vehicle stability control strategy, the controller being further configured to detect an oversteer and acceleration condition, the controller being further configured to apply a brake pulse to the outside rear brake to disengage the traction control clutch.

4. A vehicle stability control system for a vehicle, the vehicle having a traction control clutch, the vehicle stability control system comprising a controller configured to deactivate the traction control clutch, provide a reverse torque across the traction control clutch, and apply a braking torque according to a vehicle stability control strategy, the controller being further configured to detect an understeer and deceleration condition, the controller being further configured to apply a brake pulse to the inside front brake to disengage the traction control clutch.

5. A vehicle stability control system for a vehicle, the vehicle having a traction control clutch, the vehicle stability control system comprising a controller configured to deactivate the traction control clutch, provide a reverse torque across the traction control clutch, monitor the traction control clutch for disengagement and apply a braking torque according to a vehicle stability control strategy.

6. The vehicle stability control system according to claim 5, wherein the controller is configured to provide a reverse torque across the traction control clutch by reducing torque output from the engine.

7. The vehicle stability control system according to claim 6, wherein the controller is configured to provide reverse torque across the traction control crutch by applying a pulse of brake pressure.

8. The vehicle stability control system according to claim 6, wherein the controller is configured to apply a pulse of brake pressure at a frequency of about 1 to 50 Hz.

9. The vehicle stability control system according to claim 5, wherein the controller is configured to monitor the traction control clutch for disengagement based on wheel speed sensors.

10. The vehicle stability control system according to claim 5, wherein the controller is configured to detect an oversteer and acceleration condition, the controller being further configured to apply a brake pulse to the outside rear brake and apply brake pressure to the outside front brake after the controller has detected the transfer clutch disengagement.

11. The vehicle stability control system according to claim 5, wherein the controller is configured to detect an understeer and deceleration condition, the controller being further configured to apply a brake pulse to the inside front brake and apply brake pressure to the inside rear brake after the controller has detected the traction control clutch disengagement.

12. The vehicle stability control system according to claim 5, wherein the controller is configured to detect an oversteer and acceleration condition, the controller being further configured to apply a brake pulse to the outside rear brake to disengage the traction control clutch.

13. The vehicle stability control system according to claim 5, wherein the controller is configured to detect an oversteer and acceleration condition, the controller being further configured to reduce torque output from the engine.

14. The vehicle stability control system according to claim 5, wherein the controller is configured to determine an understeer and acceleration condition, the controller being further configured to apply a brake pulse to the inside rear brake.

15. The vehicle stability control system according to claim 5, wherein the controller is configured to detect an understeer and acceleration condition, the controller being further configured to reduce torque output from the engine.

16. The vehicle stability control system according to claim 5, wherein the controller is configured to detect an oversteer and deceleration condition, the controller being further configured to apply a brake pulse to the outside front brake.

17. The vehicle stability control system according to claim 5, wherein the controller is configured to detect an understeer and deceleration condition, the controller being further configured to apply a brake pulse to the inside front brake to disengage the traction control clutch.