Systems and methods for operating an engine and a torque converter are presented. In one example, slip of a torque converter is adjusted via at least partially closing or opening a torque converter clutch in response to vehicle vibration. The vehicle vibration may be based on road surface conditions and an actual total number of operating cylinders of the engine.

Systems and methods for operating an engine and a torque converter are presented. In one example, slip of a torque converter is adjusted via at least partially closing or opening a torque converter clutch in response to vehicle vibration. The vehicle vibration may be based on road surface conditions and an actual total number of operating cylinders of the engine.

Methods and systems for estimating an axle load of a vehicle are described. In one example, a method is disclosed wherein axle load is estimated in response to an angle between two components of an axle. The angle may change as weight is added to or removed from the axle such that axle load may be determined as a function of the angle.

A processor unit (3) is configured for executing an MPC algorithm (13) for model predictive control of a prime mover (8) and of at least one vehicle component influencing energy efficiency of a motor vehicle. The MPC algorithm (13) includes a longitudinal dynamic model (14) of the drive train (7) and of the vehicle component influencing the energy efficiency of the motor vehicle (1) as well as a cost function (15) to be minimized. The cost function (15) includes at least one first term. The processor unit (3) is configured for determining a particular input variable for the prime mover (8) and for the at least one vehicle component influencing the energy efficiency of the motor vehicle (1) by executing the MPC algorithm (13) as a function of a particular term such that the cost function (15) is minimized.

A method for the automated control of the longitudinal movement of a motor vehicle having an automated positive acceleration process in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle and an automated deceleration in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. An acceleration variable is determined based on a jerk value and limited in terms of absolute value. And the jerk value is in turn determined in a driving mode in which, starting from a vehicle actual longitudinal speed and a vehicle actual longitudinal acceleration, the motor vehicle is adjusted to a predeterminable vehicle longitudinal speed taking into account a predeterminable maximum positive driving mode vehicle longitudinal acceleration, a predeterminable maximum driving mode vehicle longitudinal deceleration and at least one predeterminable driving operating mode jerk absolute value which limits the jerk.

A method for the automated control of the longitudinal movement of a motor vehicle having an automated positive acceleration process in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle and an automated deceleration in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. An acceleration variable is determined based on a jerk value and limited in terms of absolute value. And the jerk value is in turn determined in a driving mode in which, starting from a vehicle actual longitudinal speed and a vehicle actual longitudinal acceleration, the motor vehicle is adjusted to a predeterminable vehicle longitudinal speed taking into account a predeterminable maximum positive driving mode vehicle longitudinal acceleration, a predeterminable maximum driving mode vehicle longitudinal deceleration and at least one predeterminable driving operating mode jerk absolute value which limits the jerk.

A control method for hybrid electromagnetic suspension. The method provides four modes for hybrid electromagnetic suspension: a comfort mode, a sport mode, a combined mode, and an energy feedback mode. A driver can switch between the four modes as desired. For the comfort, sport, and combined modes, hybrid control is adopted, and two sub-modes are provided: an active control mode and a semi-active control mode. A switching condition between the two sub-modes is determined by using a novel parameter C.sub.act and comparing the same against a maximum equivalent electromagnetic damping coefficient C.sub.eqmax of a linear motor. The present invention solves the problem of achieving a balance between suspension comfort and tire traction, and meets the demands of different operating conditions and users by enabling manual mode switching. In addition, the hybrid control is employed to solve the problems of high energy consumption of active suspension and limited control performance of semi-active suspension, thus ensuring good kinematic performance of automobile suspension while reducing energy consumption. Furthermore, the energy feedback mode is designed to enable the suspension to perform energy recovery, meeting demands of energy conservation and emission reduction.

A control method for hybrid electromagnetic suspension. The method provides four modes for hybrid electromagnetic suspension: a comfort mode, a sport mode, a combined mode, and an energy feedback mode. A driver can switch between the four modes as desired. For the comfort, sport, and combined modes, hybrid control is adopted, and two sub-modes are provided: an active control mode and a semi-active control mode. A switching condition between the two sub-modes is determined by using a novel parameter C.sub.act and comparing the same against a maximum equivalent electromagnetic damping coefficient C.sub.eqmax of a linear motor. The present invention solves the problem of achieving a balance between suspension comfort and tire traction, and meets the demands of different operating conditions and users by enabling manual mode switching. In addition, the hybrid control is employed to solve the problems of high energy consumption of active suspension and limited control performance of semi-active suspension, thus ensuring good kinematic performance of automobile suspension while reducing energy consumption. Furthermore, the energy feedback mode is designed to enable the suspension to perform energy recovery, meeting demands of energy conservation and emission reduction.

A vehicle includes a control system, a sensing system that senses an environment of the vehicle, and a propulsion system, a braking system, and a steering system that are operated by the control system to navigate the vehicle according to the sensing system and without direct human control. The propulsion system and the braking system are operated by the control system to cooperatively decelerate the vehicle. The braking system includes an inboard friction brake that is associated with one or more wheels of the vehicle and does not form unsprung mass of the vehicle.

A vehicle includes a control system, a sensing system that senses an environment of the vehicle, and a propulsion system, a braking system, and a steering system that are operated by the control system to navigate the vehicle according to the sensing system and without direct human control. The propulsion system and the braking system are operated by the control system to cooperatively decelerate the vehicle. The braking system includes an inboard friction brake that is associated with one or more wheels of the vehicle and does not form unsprung mass of the vehicle.