A method of estimating road slope using a gravitational acceleration sensor, includes determining whether a driving mode of a vehicle is a towing or freight carrying mode, calculating a difference value between road slope measured using the gravitational acceleration sensor and road slope measured using a driving torque when the driving mode of the vehicle is the towing or freight carrying mode, estimating road slope by correcting the road slope measured using the gravitational acceleration sensor based on the difference value, and controlling a shift of the vehicle according to the estimated road slope.

A vehicle includes a three-axis accelerometer attached to a door and in communication with a processor. A speaker is in communication with the processor. Operation of the door toward a closed position is measured by the accelerometer to define a corresponding door acceleration. The processor determines a corresponding door-operating event based on the corresponding door acceleration and the speaker delivers a corresponding audio signal in response to the corresponding door-operating event.

A driving support apparatus estimates an expected route of an own vehicle, calculates an effective length of the expected route, and alerts a driver of the own vehicle when it is determined that there exists an object which crosses a part within the effective length within a predetermined time. A formula of a circle with a radius of an estimated turning radius is used for an expected route formula expressing the expected route. Once it is determined that the own vehicle is trying to start turning left or right, the driving support apparatus calculates a turning angle of the own vehicle, and calculates the effective length of the expected route using a value based on a product of the estimated turning radius and a remaining turning angle which is an angle obtained by subtracting the turning angle from a predetermined angle.

A power control system may include at least one of batteries, a motor, and a data logic analyzer that can interpret certain variable conditions of a transport, such as a tractor trailer, moving along a road or highway. The data can be used to determine when to apply supplemental power to the wheels of a trailer to reduce fuel usage. One example device may include at least one of: a power creation module that generates electrical power, a battery which store the electrical power, a motor affixed to a trailer axle of a trailer which provides a turning force to the trailer axle when enabled to operate from the stored electrical power of the battery, and a motor controller configured to initiate the motor to operate according to a predefined sensor condition.

A hybrid vehicle includes an engine (10), a first motor generator (MG1), a second motor generator (MG2), a transmission unit (power transmission unit) (40), a differential unit (50), a clutch (CS) and a mechanical oil pump (501). The hybrid vehicle is able to switch between series-parallel mode in which power of the engine is transmitted via the transmission unit and the differential unit and series mode in which power of the engine is transmitted via the clutch. The differential unit (50) is a planetary gear mechanism including a sun gear (S2) connected to the first motor generator (MG1), a ring gear (R2) connected to the second motor generator (MG2), and a carrier (CA2) connected to a ring gear (R1) that is an output element of the transmission unit (40). The mechanical oil pump (501) is driven by power that is transmitted from the carrier (CA2) of the differential unit.

A system that includes an accelerometer configured to measure acceleration of a vehicle, a gyroscope configured to measure orientation of the vehicle, a memory having computer readable instructions, and a processor for executing the computer readable instructions. The computer readable instructions include performing at intervals: receiving acceleration data from the accelerometer; receiving orientation data from the gyroscope; combining the acceleration data and the orientation data to generate speed fluctuation and slope data for the vehicle; and transmitting the fluctuation and slope data to a controller of the vehicle. The controller utilizes the speed fluctuation and slope data to modulate an engine throttle of the vehicle.

A wheel fastener alarm is provided with a fastener body, a cap covering the fastener body, a sensor array disposed within the fastener body, and a cover disposed over an opening in the fastener body and a hole in the cap.

A power control system may include at least one of batteries, a motor, and a data logic analyzer that can interpret certain variable conditions of a transport, such as a tractor trailer, moving along a road or highway. The data can be used to determine when to apply supplemental power to the wheels of a trailer to reduce fuel usage. One example device may include at least one of a power source affixed to a trailer to capture energy from movement of an axle of the trailer, and a motor powered by the power source to operate and provide movement assistance to the axle.

An embodiment vehicle includes a camera installed in the vehicle to have a front view of the vehicle, a steering device, and a processor configured to determine whether a road has an inclination in a transverse direction based on image data obtained by the camera and to control the steering device to compensate for the inclination in the transverse direction in response to a determination that the road has the inclination in the transverse direction.

A through the road (TTR) hybridization strategy is proposed to facilitate introduction of hybrid electric vehicle technology in a significant portion of current and expected trucking fleets. In some cases, the technologies can be retrofitted onto an existing vehicle (e.g., a trailer, a tractor-trailer configuration, etc.). In some cases, the technologies can be built into new vehicles. In some cases, one vehicle may be built or retrofitted to operate in tandem with another and provide the hybridization benefits contemplated herein. By supplementing motive forces delivered through a primary drivetrain and fuel-fed engine with supplemental torque delivered at one or more electrically-powered drive axles, improvements in overall fuel efficiency and performance may be delivered, typically without significant redesign of existing components and systems that have been proven in the trucking industry.