Simplifed adaptive suspension

• US 20030205868A1
• Filed: 05/01/2002
• Published: 11/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Meritor Light Vehicle Technology, LLC (Meritor, Inc. (Nevada))
• Original Assignee: Meritor Light Vehicle Technology, LLC (Meritor, Inc. (Nevada))
• Inventors: Kramer, Dennis A., Carlstedt, Robert P., Cubalchini, Joseph Jr., Ledesma, Ragnar H., Saxon, Nancy L., Williams, Monte G., Downey, Doyle R., Chamberlin, James B.
• Granted Patent: US 6,851,679 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/5.511
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/0162 mainly during a motion involving steering operation, e.g. cornering, overtaking B60G17/0164 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 21/0555 including an actuator inducing vehicle roll
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 21/073 between wheels on the same axle but on different sides of the vehicle, i.e. the left and right wheel suspensions being interconnected
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2200/144 with two lateral arms forming a parallelogram
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2202/413 Hydraulic actuator
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/1224 End mounts of stabiliser on wheel suspension
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/129 Damper mount on wheel suspension or knuckle
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/40 Steering conditions
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/42 Steering torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/50 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2600/1877 Adaptive Control
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/012 Rolling condition
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/24 Steering, cornering

Abstract

An adaptive suspension system for a motor vehicle varies suspension parameters in response to steering input. The system includes a sensor to measure changes in the power assist steering mechanism that indicate a change in vehicle direction and a shock variable suspension member changed in response to a change in vehicle direction. The sensor measures pressure changes in the power assist steering system such that the suspension system is optimized to accommodate specific vehicle maneuvering. In another embodiment, the variable suspension member is in hydraulic communication with the hydraulic circuit of the power assist steering mechanism such that pressure changes caused by steering input triggers changes in the suspension system to accommodate vehicle maneuvering.

Claims

1. A suspension system for a motor vehicle comprising;

a wheel assembly suspended from the motor vehicle;

a steering system to direct said motor vehicle, said steering system including a hydraulic circuit to provide hydraulic pressure to said steering system;

a suspension member variable in response to hydraulic pressure changes in said steering mechanism such that said suspension system varies in response to directional changes of said motor vehicle and said suspension member being operably connected to said suspension system.

2. The system of claim 1, further including a sensor disposed on said steering mechanism to measure changes in said steering mechanism.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said sensor is disposed on said steering mechanism to measure angular displacement of said steering column.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein said variable member is a stabilizer bar including a variable drop link to vary a stiffness of said stabilizer bar, said variable drop link actuated by said electronic control unit in response to said measured changes in said steering mechanism.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein said variable member is a shock absorber including a valve actuated to change said dampening rate in response to measured changes in said steering mechanism.

6. The system of claim 2, wherein said sensor is disposed in said hydraulic circuit to measure changes in hydraulic pressure.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein said hydraulic circuit includes first and second hydraulic lines to communicate hydraulic pressure to said steering mechanism and said sensor measures the difference between hydraulic pressures in said first and second hydraulic lines.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said variable member is a stabilizer bar including a hydraulically actuated cylinder to vary stiffness of said stabilizer bar, said hydraulically actuated cylinder actuated in response to a predetermined differential in pressure between said left and right hydraulic lines.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein said variable member is a shock absorber having a variable dampening rate, and said dampening rate is varied dependent on a predetermined differential pressure between said left and right hydraulic lines.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein said variable member is in hydraulic communication with said hydraulic circuit and hydraulic pressure from said hydraulic circuit is ported to actuate said variable member.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein said variable member is a stabilizer bar including a hydraulically actuated cylinder to vary the stiffness of said stabilizer bar, said hydraulically actuated cylinder actuated in response to hydraulic pressure from said hydraulic circuit.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein said variable member is a shock absorber having a variable dampening rate, said dampening rate varying in response to changes in hydraulic pressure within said hydraulic circuit.

13. A suspension system for a motor vehicle comprising;

a wheel assembly suspended from the motor vehicle;

a steering mechanism to direct said motor vehicle by moving said wheel assembly, said steering mechanism including a hydraulic circuit actuated by a steering column;

a variable suspension member in hydraulic communication with said hydraulic circuit and variable in response to hydraulic pressure changes in said hydraulic circuit, said variable suspension member being operably connect to said wheel assembly.

14. The suspension system of claim 13, wherein said variable member is a stabilizer bar including a hydraulically actuated cylinder.

15. The suspension system of claim 14, wherein said hydraulically actuated cylinder includes a spring to bias a piston in a first direction, said piston moving in a second direction opposite said first direction in response to a predetermined hydraulic pressure such that said stabilizer bar includes two distinct dampening rates that vary in response to hydraulic pressure communicated from said power assist pump.

16. The suspension system of claim 13, wherein said variable member is a shock absorber having two distinct dampening rates variable in response to a predetermined pressure of said power assist pump.

17. The suspension system of claim 13, wherein said variable member is a shock absorber continuously variable in response to hydraulic pressure in said power assist pump.

18. A method of controlling the an adaptive suspension system for a motor vehicle comprising the steps of;

a. sensing hydraulic pressure changes in a hydraulic circuit of a power assist steering system to detect a maneuver of said motor vehicle;

b. adjusting a variable member of said suspension system in response to said sensed hydraulic pressure changes of said steering system such that said suspension system is optimized for said maneuver of said motor vehicle.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said variable member is a variable dampening shock absorber.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein said variable member is a stabilizer bar having a variable drop link to vary the stiffness of said stabilizer bar such that a roll rate of the motor vehicle may be optimized.