Volvo Trucks Patente

A steering control system includes a right side actuator for independently controlling a right wheel steering angle for a right wheel of a vehicle and a left side actuator for independently controlling a left wheel steering angle for a left wheel of the vehicle. The steering control system determines a plurality of vehicle parameters, and determines, using a machine learning model, independent control instructions for the right side actuator and the left side actuator based on the determined plurality of vehicle parameters. The steering control system independently operates the right side actuator based on the independent control instructions to control the right wheel steering angle, and independently operates the left side actuator based on the independent control instructions to control the left wheel steering angle.

An overcurrent protection arrangement (100) for a high-voltage electrical system (102), the overcurrent protection arrangement comprising: a solid-state relay (104) arranged between a power source (106) and at least one load (108a-c); and a control circuit (112) operatively connected to the solid-state relay, the control circuit being configured to: detect an overcurrent condition (212) in the system; and control the solid-state relay to limit the current to an average current level (204) exceeding a nominal operational current level (206) of the system.

A computer system (800) comprising processing circuitry (802) configured to control propulsion of a vehicle (2), the vehicle comprising: a power unit (4), configured to propel the vehicle, and an accelerator pedal (6). The processing circuitry (802) is further configured to: obtain information indicative of a position of the accelerator pedal, control propulsion of the power unit (4) based on the information indicative of the position of the accelerator pedal. The processing circuitry is further configured to control the power unit in either a torque control mode or a speed control mode. In the torque control mode, the information indicative of the position of the accelerator pedal is indicative of a target torque of the power unit and the power unit is controlled based on the target torque of the power unit. In the speed control mode, the information indicative of the position of the accelerator pedal is indicative of a target speed (T_s) of the vehicle and the power unit is controlled based on the target speed of the vehicle. The processing circuitry is further configured to, in the torque control mode with the accelerator pedal depressed: determine an instant that an acceleration phase of the vehicle is complete, and in response thereto, switch control from the torque control mode to the speed control mode.

The present disclosure relates to a transmission (1) for a vehicle (100) comprising a first shiftable gear arrangement (10) and a second shiftable gear arrangement (20), and a range gear arrangement (30) drivingly connected to an output shaft (50), wherein the range gear arrangement (30) is shiftable between at least a low range gear state and a high range gear state, wherein first shiftable gear arrangement (10) is configured to selectively transmit torque from the first input shaft (11) to the range gear arrangement (30) and the second shiftable gear arrangement (20) is configured to selectively transmit torque from the second input shaft (21) to the range gear arrangement, wherein the transmission (1) is further shiftable to a by-pass gear state, in which the second shiftable gear arrangement (20) is shifted to a by-pass gear, such that power is transferrable from the second input shaft (21) to the output shaft (50) without passing through the range gear arrangement (30).

Present disclosure relates to an expansion tank for a vehicle cooling system for storing a coolant for distribution in the vehicle cooling system, the expansion tank comprises one or more coolant inlets for receiving the coolant from a coolant line of the vehicle cooling system, one or more coolant outlets for returning the coolant to the coolant line of the vehicle cooling system, the one or more coolant outlets being arranged vertically below the one or more coolant inlets, and a centrifugal separator.

This disclosure relates to a computer system (800) for handling charging of a vehicle (100). The computer system (800) comprising processing circuitry (802) configured to: determine an intent to charge the vehicle (100) at a current charging station (215): obtain information indicating a capacitance of a traction system (203); determine that a charging fault can occur due to the capacitance being above a capacitance threshold; determine an amount of reduction in the capacitance of the traction system (203) that is needed for it to become below the capacitance threshold; determine n high power loads (210_n) that can be disconnected from the traction system (203) without interrupting the charging of the vehicle (100) at the current charging station (215); initiate disconnection of at least one of the n high power loads (210_n); and to initiate charging of the vehicle (100) at the current charging station (215) after the disconnection has been completed.

A computer-implemented method for controlling a vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle is associated with a first subsystem (26), and a second subsystem (28) redundant to the first subsystem. The method comprises receiving (S102), by processing circuitry (302) of a computer system (300), from the first subsystem, first data (27) associated with an operation to be performed by the vehicle. The method comprises receiving (S104), by the processing circuitry, from the second subsystem, second data (29) associated with the operation to be performed by the vehicle. The method comprises obtaining (S106), by the processing circuitry, a set of weights comprising a first weight associated with the first subsystem and a second weight associated with the second subsystem. The first weight is for example based on a first health parameter of the first subsystem. The second weight is for example based on a second health parameter of the second subsystem. The method comprises determining (S116), by the processing circuitry, an output.

Computer system comprising processing circuitry configured to obtain first isolation resistance data associated with an isolation resistance between poles of a vehicle subsystem of a vehicle and a ground connection wherein a fluid path of a cooling system configured to cool the vehicle subsystem is in a first state, obtain second isolation resistance data associated with an isolation resistance between the poles and the ground connection wherein the fluid path is in a second state, where the coolant in the fluid path is electrically energized at least in the second state and determine a change in isolation resistance.

A controller (100) for controlling an electric machine (610) used to propel and/or brake an electric vehicle 600. The controller is configured to obtain an indication (110) of a desire to use the electric machine to brake the vehicle and, in response to obtaining the indication, and as part of controlling the electric machine, intentionally increase core magnetization losses in the electric machine. Provided is also a laminated stator and/or rotor for an electric machine, wherein an insulation material of the stator and/or rotor is selected to have an electric conductivity that increases with frequency. A corresponding vehicle, method, computer program (product) and computer-readable storage medium are also provided.

A rotor assembly (6) adapted to form part of an arrangement (4) for converting power, the rotor assembly comprising: a rotor shaft (10) extending along a central axis (C), and configured to be rotatable thereabout, a set of rotor windings (12, 12') comprising at least two rotor windings (12, 12'), each rotor winding in the set of rotor windings surrounding the central axis and being rotationally fixed to the rotor shaft, the rotor assembly (6) further comprising an electrical transfer arrangement (14) adapted to be electrically connected to a source of electrical power (15) and configured to selectively feed electric power to each rotor winding in the set of rotor windings.

The disclosure relates to a locking arrangement (1) for locking a vehicle door (110) of a vehicle (100) from an inside, the locking arrangement (1) comprising:- a door locking device (2) arranged to lock the vehicle door (110),- a seatbelt (3) for a vehicle user comprising a buckle locking device (31) configured to be releasably locked to a seatbelt buckle (32) such that the seatbelt (3) fastens the vehicle user to a vehicle seat (120), wherein the door locking device (2) comprises a buckle locking device receiver (21), different from the seatbelt buckle (32) and arranged to receive the buckle locking device (31). The disclosure also relates to a vehicle (100).

A system and computer-implemented method are disclosed for determining the presence of one or more outliers in the plurality of measurements from a vehicle motion estimation system. The system comprises: one or more radar sensors configured to obtain measurements relating to one or more first unknown motion parameters of a vehicle; one or more inertial sensors configured to obtain measurements relating to one or more second unknown motion parameters of the vehicle, wherein the total number of sensors is at least one more than the total number of unknown motion parameters; and processing circuitry configured to: acquire a measurement of each of the first unknown motion parameters from the one or more radar sensors; acquire a measurement of each of the second unknown motion parameters from the one or more inertial sensors; determine an estimated value for each of the first and second unknown motion parameters based on the received measurements; determine a residual between the estimated values and the received measurements; and determine the presence of one or more outliers in the plurality of measurements if the determined residual fails to meet an acceptance criterion.

A side impact structure for a fuel tank of a vehicle includes a base structure attached to a side-facing portion of the fuel tank, and at least one spheroidal element rotatably coupled to the base structure, wherein impact energy by an object with the at least one spheroidal element in a first direction causes the at least one spheroidal element to rotate to convert the impact energy into rotational energy to direct the impact energy toward a second direction normal to the first direction.

A computer-implemented method is disclosed, which is suitable for a vehicle comprising a primary brake system and a secondary brake system, wherein each of the primary and secondary brake systems is configured to control one or more brake actuators of the vehicle. The method comprises enabling the secondary brake system, triggering braking control by the secondary brake system, and obtaining measurements of an output of the secondary brake system, wherein the output is for control of the one or more brake actuators, and wherein the measurements are indicative of a response of the secondary brake system to the triggered braking control. The method also comprises determining a functionality of the secondary brake system by comparing the measurements of the output of the secondary brake system to a corresponding output of the primary brake system. Corresponding computer system, vehicle, computer program product, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium are also disclosed.

A computer system (600) comprising processing circuitry (602) configured to handle a vehicle (1) comprising and being controlled by a first set of components (11) is provided. The vehicle (1) further comprises a second set of components (12) being initially set to an inactive state. The second set of components (12) comprises redundant components of the first set of components (11). The processing circuitry (602) is configured to, in response to a periodic event or a triggered event, activate at least one target component of the second set of components (12). The at least one target component comprises at least one target software component and/or at least one target control unit. Activating the at least one target component comprises at least one of utilizing, initializing, or monitoring the at least one target software component and/or the at least one target control unit.

A computer-implemented method controls at least one park brake relay valve (64) of a park brake system (66) of a vehicle (20), via control signals (S₅₁) sent to a park brake control unit (62), which controls the park brake relay valve, based on requests signals (S₅₂, S₅₄, S₅₆) received from at least one requester (52, 54, 56). The request signals take either an activated value, when the request is presented, or a neutral value, when the request is not presented. The request signals are sent with a given signal frame. The method comprises a safety check performed, when a request signal (S₅₂, S₅₄, S₅₆) is received, by a request arbitrator (70) to assess if the request is valid, by determining whether or not the request signal is longer than a first predetermined time-period (Δt1) and whether or not, during a second predetermined time-period (Δt2), the request signal takes the neutral value.

The invention relates to a cooling circuit (12) for a vehicle (10), comprising:- a main mover (11),- a coolant for cooling said main mover (11), and- at least one coolant expansion system (16),wherein the at least one coolant expansion system (16) is a lyophobic heterogeneous system including a nanoporous material, the coolant being a non-wetting liquid on the porous material at a standard pressure of the coolant and capable to enter the nanoporous material upon an increase in coolant pressure.

The disclosure relates to a computer system (600) comprising processing circuitry (602) configured to control gear selection of a powertrain (100) of a vehicle (200), wherein the powertrain (100) comprises a first power unit (110) and a second power unit (120), a shiftable transmission (130) and a range gear arrangement (140), wherein the processing circuitry (602) is further configured to, for a take-off situation of the vehicle (200): - select a first high range gear from a set of high range gears when an achievable acceleration for the first high range gear is equal to or exceeds an acceleration limit. The disclosure also relates to a powertrain (100), a vehicle (200), and a computer-implemented method.

A computer system (700) comprising processing circuitry (702) configured to handle a longitudinal slip of a wheel (11) of a vehicle (1) is provided. The processing circuitry (702) is configured to, determine a first longitudinal slip and a first tire force of a tire of the wheel (11). The processing circuitry (702) is configured to, with respect to a torque needed to provide the first tire force, control a torque applied to the wheel (11) to attain a second tire force, the second tire force being lower than the first tire force with respect to a predefined relationship. The processing circuitry (702) is configured to determine a second longitudinal slip associated with the second tire force. The processing circuitry (702) is configured to, based on the second longitudinal slip, determine a slip or slip interval for controlling the longitudinal slip of the wheel (11).

A system and method for controlling operation of an electric vehicle (10, 100), comprising a power assembly (12, 120) comprising an energy storage system (ESS), (14, 140) are provided. The method comprises, responsive to detecting a request for a vehicle shutdown, estimating (304) a time to freeze for the ESS; responsive to determining that the time to freeze is longer than a duration of the vehicle shutdown, instructing (314) the vehicle to perform the vehicle shutdown without performing a keep-warm strategy for the ESS; responsive to determining that the time to freeze is not longer than the duration of the vehicle shutdown, determining (316) a keep-warm time limit; and, responsive to determining that the keep-warm time limit is longer than the duration of the vehicle shutdown, instructing (320) the electric vehicle to perform the vehicle shutdown and initiate the keep-warm strategy for the ESS that comprises maintaining the temperature of the ESS above a second threshold temperature.

The invention concerns an electric axle comprising a housing, and, at least partly disposed inside the housing : - an electric motor (10) configured to deliver a first torque on a motor shaft (11) ; - a shiftable reduction gear assembly (330) comprising at least a first gearwheel (331) and a second gearwheel (335) coaxial with, and rotationally connectable to the motor shaft (11) ; - a planetary set (200) comprising two coaxial planetary gearsets, at least one member of the planetary set (200) being drivingly connected or connectable to the shiftable reduction gear assembly (330) ; - at least one driveshaft (90) configured to be drivingly connected to a wheel of the vehicle, the at least one driveshaft (90) being coaxial with, and receiving power from the planetary set (200).

A computer system (700) comprising processing circuitry configured to handle a battery arrangement (50) capable of powering an electrical system (1) is provided. The battery arrangement (50) comprises a battery cell (11a) and a monitoring unit (30) configured to monitor a temperature-associated parameter. The processing circuitry (702) is further configured to, based on a target ability of the battery arrangement (50), determine a wake-up condition of the battery arrangement (50) associated with a need to initiate a thermal management function. The processing circuitry (702) is further configured to, trigger the monitoring unit (30) to be configured to perform a wake-up procedure in response to detecting that the at least one parameter associated with a temperature of the battery cell (11a) fulfills the wake-up condition. The wake-up procedure comprises determining a need for, or triggering a thermal management function.

A method includes measuring, by a pressure sensor (221), a pressure of pressurized gaseous fuel in a gaseous fuel tank of a vehicle (100). The method further includes determining, by a processing circuitry, a mass of remaining gaseous fuel in the fuel tank based on an operation cycle of a liquid fluid pump (226) that pumps a liquid fluid into a liquid fluid reservoir in fluid communication with the gaseous fuel tank. The method further includes controlling, by the processing circuitry, the liquid fluid pump to maintain the pressure of the gaseous fuel between a minimum pressure and a maximum pressure.

A method of controlling an ESS is provided, including obtaining lower state-of-power (SoP) values (SoP_low,i) for multiple battery packs (130-1 to 130-4) of an energy storage system (ESS); obtaining one or more first values (SoQ₁, . . . ,So Q₄) indicative of a current storage capacity and/or a current resistance of each battery pack; determining, based on the obtained first values, that the current storage capacity (SoQ₄) of a battery pack (130-4) is significantly larger than those of the one or more other battery packs and/or that the current resistance of the battery pack is significantly smaller than those of the one or more other battery packs, and controlling a discharging and/or charging of the ESS (SoP_ESS) such that the battery pack may operate exceeding its lower SoP value (SoP_low,4) and the other batteries in accordance with their lower SoP values (SoP_low,i). A corresponding computer system, ESS, vehicle, computer program and storage-medium are also provided.

A computer system comprising processing circuitry configured to handle one or more differential locks of a vehicle (1) comprising two or more axles, wherein at least a first differential lock (2) supports engagement/disengagement of differential locking of a left-hand side wheel (3) and a right-hand side wheel (4) of at least a first drive axle (5) of the vehicle. The processing circuitry is further configured to: determine that at least said first differential lock is engaged; provide brake instruction data instructing the vehicle to apply at least a first pulse brake to a left-hand side wheel (6) and a right-hand side wheel (7) of an other axle (8) of the vehicle non-driven and/or with a differential lock not engaged, the at least first pulse brake being of a predeterminable time duration and brake force; determine a respective wheel speed deceleration of the left-hand side and right-hand side wheels of the other axle; and in response to a deviation between the wheel speed decelerations fulfilling predeterminable deviation criteria, provide disengagement instruction data instructing the vehicle to disengage at least the first differential lock.

An electrical system is provided. The electrical system comprises an electrical energy source (12), an electrically floating electrical component (14A-14C), and a conduit (20) connecting the electrical energy source (12) to the electrical component (14A-14C). The electrical system (10) further comprising a switch (S1, S2) configured to selectively connect the electrical component (14A-14C) to ground (P).

A computer system (500) includes processing circuitry (510) configured to i) obtain an indication of a usage scenario and/or internal (and/or external) state of an entity, e.g. of an electric vehicle, including a battery energy storage system (ESS); ii) determine state-of-power, SoP, values for each of multiple battery packs of the ESS; iii) determine SoP values for the whole ESS by fusion of the SoP values for the battery packs determined in ii), and iv) determine a target SoP and control a charging/discharging of the ESS based on the target SoP value. The processing circuitry selects a particular set from a plurality of different sets of constraints corresponding to different trade-offs between entity performance and battery lifetime, based on the usage scenario and/or state, and uses this set as part of at least one of ii), iii) and iv). Each set of constraints includes a set of battery electro-thermal constraints.

An axial roller bearing assembly, comprising an annular plastic cage comprising a plurality of openings distributed along the circumferential direction of the cage; a plurality of rollers, each roller being provided in a respective opening of the cage; and a support ring provided circumferentially around the outer perimeter of the cage and in contact with the cage for providing strengthening support to the plastic material of the cage. The outer perimeter of the cage is closed, and wherein the cage also has an inner perimeter which is closed, wherein said plurality of openings are provided between said closed outer perimeter and said closed inner perimeter, wherein the plastic cage is moulded in one piece.

A mechanical transmission system (21) for a powertrain (7) of a vehicle (1), the mechanical transmission system comprising an automated gearbox (23) comprising different gears, the gears switched between different configurations, in each configuration a gear associated to the given configuration is configured to connect a primary part (11) of the powertrain to a secondary part (15) of the powertrain with a transmission coefficient associated, a pressurized air system (25) adapted to switch the gears from one configuration to another configuration and a controller (37) commanding the switching of the gears between the different configurations according to gear selection rules. The gear selection rules evolve between normal selection rules when a pressure of the pressurized air system is above a first threshold and safety selection rules when the pressure is below the first threshold, the safety selection rules imposing a waiting time between two successive switching of the gears.

A hydrogen combustion engine arrangement includes a source of hydrogen, an internal combustion engine having at least one cylinder having an inlet opening connected by first hydrogen supply line to the source of hydrogen and an outlet opening, an exhaust aftertreatment system connected by an exhaust line to the outlet opening of the at least one cylinder, the EATS including a selective catalytic reduction system (SCR), a combustion zone upstream of the SCR, the combustion zone being connected to the source of hydrogen by a second hydrogen supply line, and an arrangement for determining a temperature in the EATS, and a computer system configured to control delivery of hydrogen to the EATS in response to a signal from the temperature determining arrangement.

A method and a computer system (50) for controlling a fuel cell system (1), such as of a vehicle, is disclosed. The computer system comprises comprising processing circuitry configured to:predict an event, such as a downhill road section, during which a power ramp down of the fuel cell system is expected,control the fuel cell system to recuperate water from at least one fuel cell exhaust line (13, 14) and collect the recuperated water in a water reservoir (23) in dependence on the predicted event,control a water injector (25) to inject water from the water reservoir (23) into a cathode inlet line (11) of the fuel cell system in connection with the power ramp down during the predicted event.

A computer system (700) comprising processing circuitry (702) configured to assist in steering a vehicle (1) travelling on a drivable surface (100) is provided. The processing circuitry (702) is configured to obtain a measured drivable surface condition of the drivable surface (100) indicative of a wetness condition and/or a temperature condition of the drivable surface (100). The processing circuitry (702) is configured to, based on the drivable surface condition, determine a travel plan of how one or more wheels (w) of the vehicle (1) shall travel over the drivable surface (100) to fulfil an energy efficiency condition. The processing circuitry (702) is configured to issue a steering instruction to a steering arrangement (50) of the vehicle (1). The steering instruction indicates to apply a turning force to the steering arrangement of the vehicle (1) based on the determined travel plan.

A computer-implemented method for dynamic estimation of vehicle mass is disclosed. The method comprises acquiring sensor measurements representing parameters defining a vehicle state, and processing the acquired sensor measurements to estimate one or more vehicle state parameters. The method also comprises forming a vehicle state vector comprising current values of the one or more vehicle state parameters and at least one previous value of at least one of the one or more vehicle state parameters, wherein a current vehicle state is indicated by the current values and one or more previous vehicle states are indicated by the at least one previous value. Furthermore, the method comprises processing the vehicle state vector to provide estimation of vehicle mass, by capturing temporal dependencies between the current and previous vehicle states, and by applying one or more dynamic constraints.Corresponding computer system, vehicle, computer program product, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium are also disclosed.

A transmission arrangement (300) for a vehicle, comprising: - an input component (132) drivingly connected to an electric motor, - a first planetary gear system (140), a first sun gearwheel (141) and a first ring gearwheel (144) being rotationally connectable to the input component by a first sleeve (146) and a second sleeve (145), respectively, and a first planet carrier (142) being rotationally connected to an output component (81), - a crawler unit (390) drivingly connectable between the first planetary gear system (140) and the output component, the first sleeve being configured to selectively rotationally connect the first sun gearwheel to a stationary member (149a, 149b), the second sleeve being configured to selectively rotationally connect the first ring gearwheel to the stationary member via a third sleeve (395), the third sleeve being rotationally connected to the stationary member, and being configured to selectively rotationally connect one gear member of the crawler unit to the stationary member to cause the first ring gearwheel to rotate in an opposite direction compared to the first planet gearwheel carrier.

A computer system and computer-implemented method are disclosed for identifying an overtaking opportunity for a host vehicle combination comprising a tractor unit and at least one trailing unit. The computer system comprises processing circuitry configured to: acquire parameters of at least one vehicle preceding the host vehicle combination; determine a visible range, R, from the host vehicle combination for an upcoming section of a route; and identify an overtaking opportunity by determining that the host vehicle combination can perform an overtaking manoeuvre over the at least one preceding vehicle within the visible range, R, in a stable manner based on the acquired parameters of the at least one preceding vehicle.

A computer system (17) comprising processing circuitry (19) configured to provide, in response to an indication (21) that, for a vehicle combination (1) comprising a tractor (3) having a front axle (7), a first rear axle (9), and a second rear axle (11) longitudinally further away from the front axle (7) than the first rear axle (9) is, and a trailer (5) coupled to the tractor (3) with a fifth-wheel coupling (13), a risk of jack-knifing is higher than a predefined threshold risk, an instruction (31) to operate at least one actuator (15) comprised in the tractor (3) to redistribute a total axle load of the tractor (3) in such a way that a first rear axle load on the first rear axle (9) of the tractor (3) is decreased and a second rear axle load on the second rear axle (11) of the tractor (3) is increased.

The present disclosure relates to a control unit (16, 200) for a vehicle (3), the vehicle being a full electric or a hybrid vehicle, the control unit (16, 200) comprising a communication interface (17, 226) and processing circuitry (18, 202) being coupled to the communication interface; the processing circuitry (18, 202) being adapted to receive, via the communication interface (17, 226), a message from a remote control device (20) to drive the vehicle a predefined distance, to command the gearbox (12) to engage with the highest available ratio, to command the at least one electric motor (10) in order to move the vehicle, to stop the motor when the vehicle has traversed the predefined distance, and to command to engage the at least one brake (8).

A fastening arrangement (100) for fastening a deck plate (108) to a vehicle frame (104), the fastening arrangement comprising: a first bracket (102) connectable to the vehicle frame (104); a second bracket (106) connectable to the deck plate (108); an elastic socket (110) attached to one of the first and second bracket (102, 106), and a ball stud (112) comprising a straight end (114) and a ball end (116), the ball end being rotatably connected to the elastic socket and the straight end being connected to the one of the first and second bracket not comprising the elastic socket, such that the ball stud forms a connection between the first bracket and the second bracket.

A valve system (10) including a first valve body (20) defining an outlet (24) configured to distribute a fluid; a second valve body (22) configured to be received within the first valve body and to be transitioned between at least a first position corresponding to a fully-open state of the valve system and a second position corresponding to a closed state of the valve system; a motor (40) configured to transition the second valve body between the first position and the second position by rotating a shaft (42) about an axis of rotation (A-R) in a series of angular steps; and a control unit (60) configured to operate the motor to transition the second valve body between the first position and the second position.

A system and method are disclosed for determining an absolute slip velocity between a wheel of a vehicle and a ground surface supporting the wheel. They system comprises: one or more wheel-mounted radar sensors configured to receive radio waves reflected from the ground surface; and processing circuitry configured to: determine a Doppler velocity corresponding to the ground surface based on properties of the received radio waves; and determine the absolute slip velocity between the wheel and the ground surface based on the determined Doppler velocity.