A fluidic control system (1) for controlling a vehicle, which includes a controller (2) and a closed fluidic circuit. The circuit includes a pump (3) for pressurizing fluid in the circuit, valve means (40, 50, 60), an actuator (4, 5, 6) and a precharge accumulator (7). The valve means (40, 50, 60) is fluidly connected to the inlet and outlet of the pump (3) and the actuator (4, 6) is fluidly connected to the valve means (40, 50, 60) for selectively receiving pressurized fluid therefrom. The precharge accumulator (7) includes a movable member (73, FIG. 2) that describes a variable volume (71) fluidly connected to the circuit between the valve means (40, 50, 60) and the inlet of the pump (3). The system (1) also includes a sensor (70) for determining the position of the movable member (73) for estimating the quantity of fluid and/or detecting an abnormal pressure variation within the circuit.

Method and apparatus are disclosed for traction control based on friction coefficient estimation. An example vehicle includes a plurality of sensors to measure qualities of a surface of a road and an anti-lock brake system module. The anti-lock brake system module (a) estimates confidence values for different road surface types based on the qualities of the surface of the road, (b) estimates a coefficient of friction between the road and tires of the vehicle based on the confidence values, and (c) adapt a traction control system by altering a target slip based on the coefficient of friction.

A speed control system for a vehicle includes an electronic controller configured to automatically cause a vehicle to operate in accordance with a target speed value. The electronic controller is further configured to receive information relating to movement of at least a portion of a vehicle body or at least a portion of a body of an occupant relative to a vehicle, and to automatically adjust the value of the target speed value in dependence on the received information.

A vibration damping control apparatus which has a control unit that calculate a pitch damping driving torque based on a pitch angular velocity of a vehicle body, and control an engine based on at least the pitch damping driving torque. The control unit stores a vehicle speed corresponding to a phase difference of 180 in a relationship between a phase difference and a vehicle speed as an upper limit reference vehicle speed, the relationship being derived by obtaining phase characteristic of a wheelbase filter function for various vehicle speeds and obtaining a relationship between the phase difference of vertical displacements of the vehicle body at positions of front and rear wheels and a vehicle speed with respect to a pitch resonance frequency of the vehicle, and reduces the pitch damping driving torque when a vehicle speed is not higher than the upper limit reference vehicle speed.

A method for operating a speed control system of a vehicle is provided. The method comprises receiving one or more electrical signals representative of vehicle-related information. The method further comprises determining, based on the signals representative of vehicle-related information, whether one or more predetermined conditions are met. The method still further comprises automatically determining a baseline set-speed for the speed control system when it is determined that at least certain of the one or more predetermined conditions are met. The method yet still further comprises adjusting the baseline set-speed to determine an instantaneous set-speed of the speed control system based on a signal indicative of a desired comfort level. A speed control system comprising an electronic control unit configured to perform the above-described methodology is also provided.

An all-terrain vehicle includes a frame including a front frame part and a separate rear frame part connected to the front frame part via frame joints. A surface is supported by one of the front frame part and the rear frame part. An engine is supported by the rear frame part and is positioned behind the seating surface. Front wheels operably coupled to the front frame part are drivingly coupled to the engine via a front drive unit. Rear wheels operably coupled to the rear frame part are drivingly coupled to the engine via a rear drive unit. A brake system is mounted to the frame and includes front wheel brakes and rear wheel brakes. The brake system further includes a brake modulator and a master brake cylinder operably connected to the brake modulator. The brake modulator is mounted to the front frame part.

This electric braking device for a vehicle imparts to the wheels of the vehicle a braking torque in accordance with the output of an electric motor. A vehicle body-side electronic control unit calculates a command value for the output of the electric motor on the basis of the amount of operation performed on a braking operation member. A wheel-side electronic control unit adjusts the output of the electric motor on the basis of the command value. The vehicle body-side electronic control unit calculates the vehicle body speed on the basis of the wheel speed. The wheel-side electronic control unit adjusts the output of the electric motor so as to prevent an increase in slippage of the wheels on the basis of the vehicle body speed and the wheel speed.

A method for use with a speed control system of a vehicle is provided. The method comprises receiving readings from one or more vehicle sensors to determine the nature of the terrain over which the vehicle is traveling. The method further comprises gathering information relating to one or more parameters of the vehicle that correspond to the configuration of the vehicle. The method still further comprises determining, based on the nature of the terrain and the gathered information, whether the vehicle is appropriately configured to travel over the terrain. A system comprising an electronic control unit configured to perform the method is also provided.

The invention relates to a method for operating a transversal guidance system of a motor vehicle through two independent channels to perform automatic transversal guidance interventions. Through the first channel, transversal interventions are performed via a first transversal guidance actuator controlled by means of a driver-operated steering handle. Through the second channel, a vehicle system sets a target roll angle, and a second transversal guidance actuator is controlled by a transversal guidance system that performs a transversal guidance intervention based on the roll angle. The vehicle system displays the roll angle as a notification to the driver of the transversal guidance intervention. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle configured to perform the method.

One of the most popular and exhilarating stunts in off-road vehicle driving is catching air off a jump. Unfortunately, once the vehicle is in the air, the driver loses significant control of the vehicle. An electronic vehicle control system is described herein that addresses this problem. The system may include an ABS module, a shock position sensor, and an ABS override module. The ABS override module may be coupled to the shock position sensor and the ABS module. The ABS override module may receive a shock-extended signal from the shock position sensor indicating one or more of the shocks are fully extended. The ABS override module may send a stop-ABS signal that may prevent the ABS module from operating. The ABS override module may additionally be connected to a yaw rate sensor, the brakes, and the throttle, and may automatically control the pitch, roll and yaw of the vehicle.