System and method for controlling vehicle suspension components and vehicle occupant protection devices
First Claim
1. A system for controlling an active suspension component of a vehicle and a vehicle occupant protection device of the vehicle, said system comprising:
- a controller, said controller being operatively connected to at least one active suspension component of a vehicle and at least one vehicle occupant protection device of the vehicle; and
at least one sensor for sensing acceleration of the vehicle along at least one axis of the vehicle, said at least one sensor being operatively connected to said controller to provide at least one signal indicative of vehicle acceleration along the at least one axis to said controller, said controller being operative to control the at least one active suspension component in response to said at least one signal, said controller also being operative to control the at least one vehicle occupant protection device in response to said at least one signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system (10) for controlling an active vehicle suspension component (12) and a vehicle occupant protection device (14) includes a controller (70). The controller (70) is operatively connected to the active suspension component (12) of a vehicle (50) and the vehicle occupant protection device (14) of the vehicle. The system (10) also includes at least one sensor (72, 74, 76) for sensing acceleration of the vehicle (50) along at least one axis of the vehicle. The at least one sensor (72, 74, 76) is operatively connected to the controller (70) to provide at least one signal indicative of vehicle acceleration along the at least one axis to the controller. The controller (70) is operative to control the active suspension component (12) in response to the at least one signal. The controller (70) is also operative to control the vehicle occupant protection device (14) in response to the at least one signal.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A system for controlling an active suspension component of a vehicle and a vehicle occupant protection device of the vehicle, said system comprising:
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a controller, said controller being operatively connected to at least one active suspension component of a vehicle and at least one vehicle occupant protection device of the vehicle; and
at least one sensor for sensing acceleration of the vehicle along at least one axis of the vehicle, said at least one sensor being operatively connected to said controller to provide at least one signal indicative of vehicle acceleration along the at least one axis to said controller, said controller being operative to control the at least one active suspension component in response to said at least one signal, said controller also being operative to control the at least one vehicle occupant protection device in response to said at least one signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 16, 17, 18)
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13. A system for controlling an active suspension component of a vehicle and a vehicle occupant protection device of the vehicle, said system comprising:
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a single electronic controller, said single electronic controller being operatively connected to at least one active suspension component of a vehicle and at least one vehicle occupant protection device of the vehicle; and
at least one accelerometer for sensing acceleration of the vehicle along an x-axis, a y-axis and a z-axis of the vehicle, said at least one accelerometer being operatively connected to said single electronic controller to provide at least one signal indicative of vehicle acceleration along the x-axis, y-axis and z-axis to said single electronic controller, said single electronic controller being operative to control the at least one active suspension component in response to said at least one signal, said single electronic controller also being operative to control the at least one vehicle occupant protection device in response to said at least one signal, said system being free from any other controllers for controlling the at least one active suspension component and the at least one vehicle occupant protection device of the vehicle.
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15. A method for controlling an active suspension component of a vehicle and a vehicle occupant protection device of the vehicle, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing a controller, said controller being operatively connected to at least one active suspension component of a vehicle and at least one vehicle occupant protection device of the vehicle;
providing at least one sensor for sensing acceleration of the vehicle along at least one axis of the vehicle, said at least one sensor being operatively connected to said controller to provide a signal indicative of vehicle acceleration along the at least one axis to said controller, said controller performing the steps of;
obtaining said signal from said means for sensing;
determining whether a vehicle roll condition exists and actuating the at least one active suspension component in response to the roll condition;
determining whether a vehicle pitch condition exists and actuating the at least one active suspension component in response to the pitch condition;
determining whether a vehicle impact condition exists and actuating the at least one vehicle occupant protection device in response to the vehicle impact condition; and
determining whether a vehicle rollover condition exists and actuating the at least one vehicle occupant protection device in response to the vehicle rollover condition.
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Specification