Continuously variable semi-active suspension system using centrally located yaw rate and accelerometer sensors
First Claim
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1. A vehicle motion sensor package comprising:
- a first yaw rate sensor mounted near the center of gravity of a vehicle to measure a first yaw along a first axis;
a second yaw rate sensor mounted near the center of gravity of said vehicle to measure a second yaw along a second axis perpendicular to said first axis; and
at least one accelerometer mounted adjacent to said first yaw rate sensor and said second yaw rate sensor.
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Abstract
An apparatus for a continuously variable semi-active suspension system using centrally located yaw rate and accelerometer sensors. The yaw rate sensors measure both pitch and roll. The vertical accelerometers measure bounce. Locating the sensors near the center not only centralizes the sensors, reducing wiring, but also reduces noise and simplifies calculations by not having to project measurements to the center of gravity.
33 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A vehicle motion sensor package comprising:
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a first yaw rate sensor mounted near the center of gravity of a vehicle to measure a first yaw along a first axis;
a second yaw rate sensor mounted near the center of gravity of said vehicle to measure a second yaw along a second axis perpendicular to said first axis; and
at least one accelerometer mounted adjacent to said first yaw rate sensor and said second yaw rate sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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- 4. A vehicle motion sensor package comprising a combination sensor measuring two yaws and a linear acceleration, wherein said combination sensor is mounted near the center of gravity of a vehicle to measure a first yaw along a first axis, a second yaw along a second axis perpendicular to said first axis, and a vertical acceleration near the center of gravity.
- 7. A vehicle motion sensor package comprising a combination sensor measuring two yaws, and two linear accelerations wherein said combination sensor is mounted near the center of a vehicle to measure a first yaw along a first axis, a second yaw along a second axis perpendicular to said first axis, a vertical acceleration, and a lateral acceleration.
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9. A suspension system for a vehicle comprising:
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a sensor package located near the center of gravity of a vehicle for measuring bounce acceleration, pitch velocity, and roll velocity and converting the measurements into signals;
a controller means in communication with said sensor package for receiving said signals from said sensor package, integrating bounce acceleration to obtain bounce velocity, calculating damping controls necessary to maintain desired ride and handling performance, and converting said damping control into at least one damping control signal; and
at least one continuously variable damper mounted remotely from said sensor package in communication with said controller means for receiving said at least one damping control signal and adjusting damping according to said at least one damping control signal in order to achieve desired ride and handling performance. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for controlling a continuously variable semi-active suspension system in vehicles comprising the steps of:
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measuring bounce acceleration, pitch velocity, and roll velocity near the center of gravity of the vehicle using a sensor package;
reading said bounce acceleration, pitch velocity, and roll velocity measurements by a controller;
integrating said bounce acceleration to obtain bounce rate;
generating control signals in said controller based on said bounce, pitch, and roll measurements;
sending said control signals from said controller to continuously variable semi-active dampers positioned in said suspension system of the vehicle; and
adjusting damping of said suspension system based on the control signals by said continuously variable semi-active dampers to achieve desired ride and handling performance. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification