Abstract:
Direct sensing of rough road conditions are used to modify operation of a wheel slip control system. At least one suspension sensor (139) senses an operating parameter of the suspension system. A road surface classifier is responsive to the suspension sensor (139) for generating a road surface signal representing a roughness of a road surface over which the vehicle travels. A braking system includes a wheel speed sensor and a brake actuator. An active braking control detector wheel slip in response to the wheel speed sensor (108) during at least one of braking or accelerating of the vehicle and modulates the brake actuator in response to the detected wheel slip. The active braking control is responsive to the road surface signal for modifying modulation f the brake actuator as a function of the road surface signal.
Abstract:
The wheel or car-body load of each of the wheels is estimated from the fact that the gain of the resonance frequency of the tire correspond to the wheel load of each wheel, and the estimated wheel loads or car-body loads are utilized for the brake control or acceleration control. The high precision brake control or acceleration control can be realized by utilizing the wheel loads estimated easily without using a special device. The controller comprises a resonance frequency sensing means which measures the resonance frequency generated in the tire of each wheel while the vehicle is traveling, and gain sensing means which measures the gain of the resonance frequency measured by the resonance frequency sensing means. In accordance with the gains of the resonance frequencies of the tires the wheel vertical loads or car-body loads of the wheels are estimated.
Abstract:
An on-board saftey system for a vehicle consisting of load sensors (22) associated with the vehicle suspenson (14, 15) and a control unit (40) in data communication with each sensor. The control unit comprises a summing unit (70) for combining the input from the sensors into a total weight value (84) for the vehicle, and a comparator (76) for comparing the measured total weight value (84) of the vehicle with a threshold total load value (78).
Abstract:
For the purposes of vibration damping in the drive system of a vehicle fitted with a regulating system (ABS, ASR, etc.), circumferential rotary vibrations in the wheels are detected by evaluating the rotational behaviour of the individual wheels. The rotary vibrations are damped by injecting the braking pressure or modulating the braking pressure injected to limit the slip in the individual wheel brakes depending on the amplitude and phase relation of the rotary vibrations.
Abstract:
A vehicle air suspension can be controlled between a Standard setting of ride height and a lower, Kneel, setting. Movement to or from the Kneel setting is frozen if a door is opened or if the footbrake is applied. Alteration to the Kneel setting is prevented except when the vehicle is stationary. The suspension reverts to the Standard ride height if the vehicle is driven off or the handbrake is released. Movement of the suspension to or from a lower or higher setting is carried out sequentially to prevent headlamp dazzle. If the vehicle becomes partly supported by direct contact between the chassis and the ground (belly-out) this is detected by monitoring signals to ride height control valves and by providing a controlled re-inflation and balancing of the air springs.
Abstract:
The object of the system of the invention is the ''modal'' variant of sky-hook damping. The essential advantage of this variant over the local version is that the natural vibration forms can be individually damped. In addition, a defined rolling movement distribution can be set. To this end signals are found which represent the local bodyshell movements of the vehicle at selected points. Conclusions on the rising, rolling and pitching movements can be reached from these signals. These movements are given different weightings depending on the driving man÷uvres. Certain components of the bodyshell movement can be deliberately affected by controlling the damping system dependently upon the weighted rising, rolling and pitching movements.
Abstract:
A direct acting hydraulic damper (20) comprising an internal, non-contact sensing means for the direct measurement of relative velocity between the piston (44) and the cylinder (40) of the damper (20). The damper (20) comprising a cylinder (40) forming a working chamber (42) operable to store damping fluid. A piston (44) is disposed within the cylinder (40) defining an upper and lower portion of the working chamber (42). The damper (20) further comprises a first transducer (66) for emitting ultrasonic waves within the lower portion of the working chamber (42). The ultrasonic waves emitted by the first transducer (66) are reflected by a base valve (52) or end surface of the cylinder (40) facing the transducers (66, 68) and are received by a second transducer (68). A frequency detection circuit (82) determines the difference in frequency between the emitted and reflected ultrasonic waves and generates an output in response thereto. A computer (90) then calculates the relative velocity of the piston (44) with respect to the base valve (52) or end surface, based on the Doppler principle. The velocity signal (V) is then used for automatic control of suspension parameters according to predefined algorithm.
Abstract:
Variations in attitude of the vehicle are predicted from acceleration GF in the backward-and-forward direction and that GS in the lateral direction, and vibration conditions of the vehicle are detected on the basis of speed VG of the vehicle above the spring and relative speed VH between members above and below the spring. In response to such variations in attitude and vibration conditions, damping force of the shock absorber is controlled. At this time, as the predicted variation in attitude of the vehicle increases, the degree of variation in damping force dependent on the vibration condition is reduced. In this way, with steering capability kept satisfactory by restricting variations in attitude of the vehicle such as nose-dive and squat, control over the vehicle in consideration of comfort in riding is possible.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a springing system for a vehicle, which system is adaptable to unevenness of the ground and comprises springs supporting the vehicle and a system resisting the rolling of the vehicle, the rolling rigidity of the vehicle brought about by said system being designable to be as high as desired irrespective of the sensitivity of the springs supporting the vehicle. To achieve the desired rolling rigidity, sensitivity of the springs and adaptation to the ground, the system (1-3) resisting rolling comprises an element resisting rolling by the torsional rigidity thereof, an antiroll bar (1), which is allowed to roll round the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The antiroll bar is connected from the foremost connection points (2) to affect the front wheels of the vehicle, and from the rearmost connection points to affect the rear wheels in such a manner that the rolling of the antiroll bar (1) round the longitudinal axis of the vehicle causes the front and rear axis to roll in opposite directions.
Abstract:
A vehicle suspension system comprises suspension units (2) with double acting hydraulic actuators (12) for carrying the road wheels (4). Signals from transducer sensing actuator load and actuator piston position (14, 15) are used in a control system (5) to generate signals representing forces corresponding to heave, pitch, roll and warp modes of vehicle movement and control signals are generated for supply to servo-valves (18) associated with the actuators to obtain desired vehicle attitude. The control signals can be modified by signals representing vehicle speed and lateral and longitudinal acceleration and under selective control of the driver.