IP Library Granted Patent US 6,859,715
Granted Patent B2
US 6,859,715 · App. 10/130,171 · Granted Feb 22, 2005

Torque-biasing system

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 6,859,715
App. No.
10/130,171
Granted
Feb 22, 2005
Kind
B2
Abstract

A torque-biasing system ( 10 ) includes a torque-biasing device ( 12 ) and a control unit ( 14 ) for use in a motor vehicle. The torque-biasing system is preferably installed in a vehicle having a first front wheel ( 18 ) with a first rotational speed and second wheel ( 20 ) with a rear rotational speed and an engine ( 22 ) with a torque output. The control unit ( 14 ) functions to determined when and how to bias the torque output of the front and rear wheels, and to control the torque-biasing device ( 12 ) based on this determination.

Claims (21)

1. A method for controlling a torque-biasing device for a vehicle during a turning maneuver having a first front wheel with a first front rotational speed and a rear wheel having a rear rotational speed, comprising:

estimating a difference between the first front rotational speed and the rear rotational speed caused by the turning maneuver;

receiving data on the first front rotational speed, a second front rotational speed of a second front wheel of the vehicle, and the rear rotational speed;

calculating a measured difference based on the data of the first and second front rotational speeds and the rear rotational speed;

deriving a control signal based upon the estimated difference caused by the turning maneuver subtracted from the measured difference; and

sending the control signal to the torque-biasing device.

2. The method for controlling the torque-biasing device of claim 1 , wherein estimating the difference caused by the turning maneuver includes using the first and second front rotational speeds and the rear rotational speed.

3. The method for controlling the torque-biasing device of claim 2 , further comprising receiving data on a steering wheel angle of a steering device of the vehicle.

4. The method for controlling the torque-biasing device of claim 3 , wherein estimating the difference caused by the turning maneuver includes using the steering wheel angle.

5. A torque-biasing system for a vehicle having a first front wheel with a first front rotational speed and a rear wheel with a rear rotational speed, comprising:

a torque-biasing device; and

a control unit adapted to estimate a difference between the first front rotational speed and the rear rotational speed caused by a turning maneuver, to receive data on the first front rotational speed, a second front rotational speed of a second front wheel of the vehicle, and the rear rotational speed, to calculate the measured difference based on the data of the first and second front rotational speeds and the rear rotational speed, to derive a control signal based upon the estimated difference caused by the turning maneuver subtracted from the measured difference, and to send the control signal to said torque-biasing device.

6. The torque-biasing system of claim 5 , wherein said control unit is further adapted to receive data on a steering wheel angle of a steering device of the vehicle.

7. A method for controlling a torque-biasing device for a vehicle during a turning maneuver having a first front wheel with a first front rotational speed and a rear wheel having a rear rotational speed, comprising:

receiving data on the first front rotational speed, a second front rotational speed of a second front wheel of the vehicle, and the rear rotational speed;

estimating a difference between the first front rotational speed and the rear rotational speed caused by the turning maneuver by using the first and second front rotational speeds and the rear rotational speed;

deriving a control signal based upon the estimated difference caused by the turning maneuver subtracted from a measured difference between the first front rotational speed and the rear rotational speed; and

sending the control signal to the torque-biasing device.

8. The method for controlling the torque-biasing device of claim 7 , further comprising calculating the measured difference based on the data of the first and second front rotational speeds and the rear rotational speed.

9. The method for controlling the torque-biasing device of claim 7 , further comprising receiving data on a steering wheel angle of a steering device of the vehicle.

10. The method for controlling the torque-biasing device of claim 9 , wherein estimating the difference caused by the turning maneuver includes using the steering wheel angle.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 20, 2009
From: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
To: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 022562/0494 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 15, 2006
From: AUTOMOTIVE COMPONENTS HOLDINGS, LLC
To: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Reel/Frame 017164/0694 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 1, 2005
From: VISTEON GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: AUTOMOTIVE COMPONENTS HOLDINGS, LLC
Reel/Frame 016835/0471 →