Vehicle directional control via aerodynamic forces

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016297477-A1
Application number	US-201514681961-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Apr 8, 2015
Priority date	Apr 8, 2015
Publication date	Oct 13, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

Methods, systems, and vehicles are provided for controlling a direction of a vehicle using aerodynamic forces. A rudder is positioned on a body of the vehicle. A control system is coupled to the rudder, and comprises a detection unit and a processor. The detection unit is configured to obtain sensor data for the vehicle. The processor is coupled to the detection unit, and is configured to at least facilitate obtaining a measured yaw rate for the vehicle using the sensor data, determining an intended yaw rate for the vehicle using the sensor data, and moving the rudder based at least in part on a comparison between the measured yaw rate and the intended yaw rate.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A method comprising:
obtaining a measured yaw rate for a vehicle; determining an intended yaw rate for the vehicle; and moving a rudder of the vehicle, via instructions provided by a processor, based at least in part on a comparison between the measured yaw rate and the intended yaw rate.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the step of obtaining the measured yaw rate comprises obtaining the measured yaw rate from a yaw sensor of the vehicle; and the step of determining the intended yaw rate comprises determining the intended yaw rate based on a measured steering angle of the vehicle.

3 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
determining a speed for the vehicle; wherein the step of moving the rudder comprises moving the rudder, via instructions provided by the processor, based at least in part on:
the comparison between the measured yaw rate and the intended yaw rate; and
the speed of the vehicle.

4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the step of moving the rudder comprises moving the rudder, via instructions provided by the processor:
a relatively greater amount as the speed increases; and a relatively smaller amount as the speed decreases.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of moving the rudder comprises moving the rudder via instructions provided by the processor to a hydraulic actuator coupled to the rudder.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of moving the rudder comprises moving the rudder via instructions provided by the processor to an electric actuator coupled to the rudder.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of moving the rudder comprises moving the rudder via instructions provided by the processor to:
a first direction, in which aerodynamic forces against the rudder dampen the vehicle's yaw rate, during an oversteer condition for the vehicle in which the measured yaw rate is greater than the intended yaw rate; and a second direction, in which aerodynamic forces against the rudder increase the vehicle's yaw rate, during an understeer condition for the vehicle in which the measured yaw rate is less than the intended yaw rate.

8 . A system comprising:
a detection unit configured to obtain sensor data for a vehicle; and a processor coupled to the detection unit and configured to at least facilitate:
obtaining a measured yaw rate for the vehicle using the sensor data;
determining an intended yaw rate for the vehicle using the sensor data; and
moving a rudder of the vehicle based at least in part on a comparison between the measured yaw rate and the intended yaw rate.

9 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the detection unit comprises:
a yaw sensor configured to measure the measured yaw rate; and a steering angle sensor configured to measure a steering angle of the vehicle; wherein the processor is configured to determine the intended yaw rate using the steering angle.

10 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the processor is further configured to at least facilitate:
determining a speed for the vehicle using the sensor data; and moving the rudder based at least in part on:
the comparison between the measured yaw rate and the intended yaw rate; and
the speed of the vehicle.

11 . The system of claim 8 , further comprising:
a hydraulic actuator coupled to the processor and configured to move the rudder via instructions provided by the processor.

12 . The system of claim 8 , further comprising:
an electric actuator coupled to the processor and configured to move the rudder via instructions provided by the processor.

13 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the processor is configured to move the rudder to:
a first direction, in which aerodynamic forces against the rudder dampen the vehicle's yaw rate, during an oversteer condition for the vehicle in which the measured yaw rate is greater than the intended yaw rate; and a second direction, in which aerodynamic forces against the rudder increase the vehicle's yaw rate, during an understeer condition for the vehicle in which the measured yaw rate is less than the intended yaw rate.

14 . A vehicle comprising:
a body; a rudder positioned on the body; and a control system coupled to the rudder, the control system comprising:
a detection unit configured to obtain sensor data for the vehicle; and
a processor coupled to the detection unit and configured to at least facilitate:
obtaining a measured yaw rate for the vehicle using the sensor data;
determining an intended yaw rate for the vehicle using the sensor data; and
moving the rudder based at least in part on a comparison between the measured yaw rate and the intended yaw rate.

15 . The vehicle of claim 14 , wherein the detection unit comprises:
a yaw sensor configured to measure the measured yaw rate; and a steering angle sensor configured to measure a steering angle of the vehicle; wherein the processor is configured to determine the intended yaw rate using the steering angle.

16 . The vehicle of claim 14 , wherein the processor is further configured to at least facilitate:
determining a speed for the vehicle using the sensor data; and moving the rudder based at least in part on:
the comparison between the measured yaw rate and the intended yaw rate; and
the speed of the vehicle.

17 . The vehicle of claim 14 , wherein the control system further comprises:
a hydraulic actuator coupled to the processor and configured to move the rudder via instructions provided by the processor.

18 . The vehicle of claim 14 , wherein the control system further comprises:
an electric actuator coupled to the processor and configured to move the rudder via instructions provided by the processor.

19 . The vehicle of claim 14 , wherein the processor is configured to move the rudder to:
a first direction, in which aerodynamic forces against the rudder dampen the vehicle's yaw rate, during an oversteer condition for the vehicle in which the measured yaw rate is greater than the intended yaw rate; and a second direction, in which aerodynamic forces against the rudder increase the vehicle's yaw rate, during an understeer condition for the vehicle in which the measured yaw rate is less than the intended yaw rate.

20 . The vehicle of claim 14 , wherein the rudder is positioned on a rear portion of the body.

Assignees

• Gm Global Tech Operations Llc

Inventors

• Auden Joshua R

Classifications

• B62D37/00

  Stabilising vehicle bodies without controlling suspension arrangements · CPC title

• B62D6/003

  in order to control vehicle yaw movement, i.e. around a vertical axis (B62D6/007 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B62D37/02 Primary

  by aerodynamic means · CPC title

• B62D5/06

  fluid, i.e. using a pressurised fluid for most or all the force required for steering a vehicle · CPC title

• B62D15/021

  Determination of steering angle · CPC title