IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,390,322
Granted Patent B2
US 11,390,322 · App. 16/682,856 · Granted Jul 19, 2022

Systems and methods for providing a vehicle with a front dig mode

Inventors: Steven Korsch (Jackson, MI); Mason Verbridge (Canton, MI)
Assignee: Rivian IP Holdings, LLC
B62D9/002B60K26/02B60W10/04B62D11/04
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,390,322
App. No.
16/682,856
Granted
Jul 19, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

Systems and methods are provided herein for operating a vehicle in a front dig mode. The front dig mode is engaged in response to determining that speed of the vehicle is below a speed threshold and determining that the amount that at least one of the front wheels of the vehicle is turned exceeds a turn threshold. While operating in the front dig mode, forward torque is provided to the front wheels of the vehicle. Further, resistance is applied to forward rotation of the inner back wheel of the vehicle. Yet further, forward torque is provided to the outer back wheel of the vehicle.

Claims (66)

1. A method for turning a vehicle in a front dig mode, the method comprising:

providing forward torque to one or more front wheels of the vehicle by a first motor;

applying resistance to forward rotation of a first back wheel of two back wheels of the vehicle, wherein applying resistance to the first back wheel of the vehicle comprises at least one of:

applying a brake to the first back wheel of the vehicle; and

applying backwards torque to the first back wheel of the vehicle; and

providing forward torque to a second back wheel of the two back wheels of the vehicle by a second motor.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

engaging the front dig mode in response to determining that an amount that at least one of the front wheels of the vehicle is turned exceeds a turn threshold by determining that a steering wheel of the vehicle is turned past a first threshold.

3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising:

in response to determining that the steering wheel of the vehicle is turned past the first threshold, applying the brake to the first back wheel of the vehicle;

determining that the steering wheel of the vehicle is turned past a second threshold, greater than the first threshold; and

in response to determining that the steering wheel of the vehicle is turned past the second threshold, applying backwards torque to the first back wheel.

4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising:

determining that the steering wheel of the vehicle is turned past a second threshold, greater than the first threshold;

in response to determining that the steering wheel of the vehicle is turned past the second threshold, engaging a tank-turn mode; and

while operating in the tank-turn mode:

providing forward torque to a second front wheel of the one or more front wheels of the vehicle and the second back wheel of the vehicle, wherein the second front wheel and the second back wheel are on the same side of the vehicle; and

providing backwards torque to a first front wheel of the one or more front wheels of the vehicle and the first back wheel of the vehicle.

5. The method of claim 3 , further comprising:

disengaging from the front dig mode in response to:

determining that speed of the vehicle is above a speed threshold; or

determining that the amount that at least one of the front wheels of the vehicle is turned is below the turn threshold.

6. The method of claim 2 , further comprising:

while operating in the front dig mode:

in response to determining that a differential of a back drive shaft of the vehicle is closed, opening the differential of the back drive shaft of the vehicle.

7. The method of claim 2 , wherein providing forward torque to one or more front wheels of the vehicle by the first motor comprises:

determining how far a pedal is pressed; and

providing an amount of forward torque to the front wheels of the vehicle by the first motor that is propositional to how far the pedal is pressed.

8. A method for turning a vehicle in a front dig mode, the method comprising:

engaging the front dig mode in response to determining that an amount that at least one of the front wheels of the vehicle is turned exceeds a turn threshold by determining that a steering wheel of the vehicle is turned past a first threshold;

providing forward torque to the front wheels of the vehicle;

providing forward torque to an outer back wheel of the vehicle by a first motor;

applying backward torque to an inner back wheel of the vehicle by a second motor;

in response to determining that the steering wheel of the vehicle is turned past a first threshold, applying a brake to the inner back wheel of the vehicle;

determining that the steering wheel of the vehicle is turned past a second threshold, greater than the first threshold; and

in response to determining that the steering wheel of the vehicle is turned past the second threshold, applying backwards torque to the inner back wheel by the second motor.

9. A system for turning a vehicle in a front dig mode, the system comprising:

circuitry configured to:

provide forward torque to one or more front wheels of the vehicle by a first motor;

apply resistance to forward rotation of a first back wheel of the two back wheels of the vehicle by performing at least one of:

applying a brake to the first back wheel of the vehicle; and

applying backwards torque to the first back wheel of the two back wheels of the vehicle; and

provide forward torque to a second back wheel of two back wheels of the vehicle by a second motor.

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the circuitry is further configured to:

engage the front dig mode in response to determining that an amount that at least one of the front wheels of the vehicle is turned exceeds a turn threshold by determining that a steering wheel of the vehicle is turned past a first threshold.

11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the circuitry is further configured to:

in response to determining that the steering wheel of the vehicle is turned past the first threshold, apply a brake to the first back wheel of the vehicle;

determine that the steering wheel of the vehicle is turned past a second threshold, greater than the first threshold; and

in response to determining that the steering wheel of the vehicle is turned past a second threshold, apply backwards torque to the first back wheel.

12. The system of claim 10 , wherein the circuitry is further configured to:

determine that the steering wheel of the vehicle is turned past a second threshold, greater than the first threshold;

in response to determining that the steering wheel of the vehicle is turned past the second threshold, engage tank-turn mode; and

while operating in the tank-turn mode:

provide forward torque to a second front wheel of the one or more front wheels of the vehicle and the second back wheel of the vehicle, wherein the second front wheel and the second back wheel are on a same side of the vehicle; and

provide backwards torque to a first front wheel of the one or more front wheels of the vehicle and the first back wheel of the vehicle.

13. The system of claim 10 , wherein the circuitry is further configured to:

disengage from the front dig mode in response to:

determining that speed of the vehicle is above a speed threshold; or

determining that the amount that at least one of the front wheels of the vehicle is turned is below the first threshold.

14. The system of claim 9 , wherein:

when applying resistance to the first back wheel of the vehicle, the circuitry is configured to apply backwards torque to the first back wheel by a third motor.

15. The system of claim 9 , wherein the circuitry, while operating in the front dig mode, is further configured to:

in response to determining that a differential of back drive shaft of the vehicle is closed, open the differential of the back drive shaft of the vehicle.

16. The system of claim 9 , wherein when providing forward torque to one or more front wheels of the vehicle by the first motor, the circuitry is further configured to:

determine how far a pedal is pressed; and

provide an amount of forward torque to the front wheels of the vehicle by the first motor that is propositional to how far the pedal is pressed.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 2, 2020
From: KORSCH, STEVEN; VERBRIDGE, MASON
To: RIVIAN AUTOMOTIVE, LLC
Reel/Frame 053963/0446 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 2, 2020
From: RIVIAN AUTOMOTIVE, LLC
To: RIVIAN IP HOLDINGS, LLC
Reel/Frame 053963/0473 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62760610 · Nov 13, 2018
Related Publication 20200148255A1 · May 14, 2020
Cited By (1)
US 12,377,832