System and method for measuring relative wheel velocity

• US 20080046144A1
• Filed: 07/25/2006
• Published: 02/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Barlage, Jerold L.
• Application Number:
  US11/492,718
• Publication Number:
  US 20080046144A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/37
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/018 characterised by the use of a specific signal treatment or control method
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/01908 Acceleration or inclination sensors characterised by the use of gyroscopes B60G21/08
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/01933 Velocity, e.g. relative velocity-displacement sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/11 Mounting of sensors thereon
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/1162 directly mounted on the suspension arm

Abstract

A system for measuring relative wheel velocity including an unsprung mass having a wheel connected thereto, a sprung mass pivotally connected to the unsprung mass by a pivot point and an angular rate sensor mounted on the sprung mass (or the unsprung mass) generally adjacent to the pivot point.

Claims

1. A system for measuring relative wheel velocity comprising:

an unsprung mass having a wheel connected thereto;

a sprung mass pivotally connected to said unsprung mass by at least one pivot point; and

an angular rate sensor mounted on said sprung mass generally adjacent to at least one of said pivot points.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said sprung mass is adapted to pivot relative to said unsprung mass at a measurable rotational speed.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein said angular rate sensor is adapted to measure said measurable rotational speed.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said angular rate sensor is positioned about 0 to about 30 centimeters from at least one of said pivot points.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said angular rate sensor is positioned about 5 to about 20 centimeters from at least one of said pivot points.

6. The system of claim 1 further comprising a controller in communication with said angular rate sensor.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein said angular rate sensor communicates with said controller by at least one of a wireless communication line and a wired communication line.

8. The system of claim 6 further comprising an active component in communication with said controller, wherein said active component is adapted to receive command signals from said controller.

9. A system for measuring relative wheel velocity comprising:

an unsprung mass having a wheel connected thereto;

a sprung mass pivotally connected to said unsprung mass by at least one pivot point; and

an angular rate sensor mounted on said unsprung mass generally adjacent to at least one of said pivot points.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein said sprung mass is adapted to pivot relative to said unsprung mass at a measurable rotational speed.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein said angular rate sensor is adapted to measure said measurable rotational speed.

12. The system of claim 9 wherein said angular rate sensor is positioned about 0 to about 30 centimeters from at least one of said pivot points.

13. The system of claim 9 wherein said angular rate sensor is positioned about 5 to about 20 centimeters from at least one of said pivot points.

14. The system of claim 9 further comprising a controller in communication with said angular rate sensor.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein said angular rate sensor communicates with said controller by at least one of a wireless communication line and a wired communication line.

16. The system of claim 14 further comprising an active component in communication with said controller, wherein said active component is adapted to receive command signals from said controller.

17. A method for measuring relative wheel velocity comprising the steps of:

providing a vehicle having a sprung mass pivotally connected to an unsprung mass by at least one pivot point;

mounting an angular rate sensor on at least one of said sprung mass and said unsprung mass such that said angular rate sensor is positioned generally adjacent to at least on of said pivot points; and

monitoring a signal generated by said angular rate sensor when said sprung mass pivots relative to said unsprung mass.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein said sprung mass pivots relative to said unsprung mass at a measurable rotational speed and said signal is indicative of said measurable rotational speed.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein said positioning step includes positioning said angular rate sensor about 0 to about 30 centimeters from at least one of said pivot points.

20. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of communicating said signal to a controller.