Method for Controlling the Functions of an Electronic Driving Stability Program for a Motor Vehicle

• US 20080051956A1
• Filed: 11/04/2004
• Published: 02/28/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Continental AG
• Original Assignee: Continental AG
• Inventors: Grotendorst, Jorg, Nettlemann, Marc
• Granted Patent: US 7,937,205 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/36
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 8/1755 Brake regulation specially adapted to control the stability of the vehicle, e.g. taking into account yaw rate or transverse acceleration in a curve road vehicle drive control systems for control of driving stability otherwise than by controlling a particular sub-unit B60W30/02

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for controlling the functions of an electronic driving stability program for a motor vehicle. In order to ensure problem-free operation of a vehicle when a wedge of material is formed between the roadway and the vehicle, the driving stability program is automatically activated or deactivated according to the respective operational situation of the motor vehicle. The driving stability program is automatically deactivated when the vehicle drives onto a wedge of material on the roadway.

Claims

1-13. -13. (canceled)

14. A method for controlling the functions of an electronic driving stability program for a motor vehicle with air springs and an air spring control device, comprising the steps of

determining through the air spring control device if at least one of the two conditions applies:

the vehicle is driven on a wedge of roadway material;

the vehicle is in a lifted platform situation;

generating a deactivation signal if it is determined that at least one of the two conditions apples, and

deactivating the driving stability program in response to the deactivation signal.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the determination whether at least one of the two conditions applies is carried out by means of pressure sensors in the air springs

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the determination whether the vehicle is driven on a wedge of roadway material is carried out by detecting a disruptive contact between the vehicle and the roadway material.

17. The method according to claim 14, wherein the determination whether at least one of the two conditions applies is carried out by means of distance sensors and wherein a deactivation signal is generated for a given wheel when an associated air spring is vented and the distance between the bottom of the vehicle and at least one member of the group consisting of an underlying surface, the wheel axle associated with the vehicle wheel, and the vehicle wheel itself, exceeds a predefined set point value.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein at least one of the conditions is determined if the predefined set point value is exceeded for longer than a predefined time period.

19. The method according to claim 14, comprising the additional step of re-activating the driving stability program automatically after the deactivation if it is determined that the vehicle is no longer in contact with the wedge of roadway material.

20. The method according to claim 14, wherein the determination of a lifting platform situation is carried out in connection with a ride level control method which is suitable for detecting a situation in which the motor vehicle is raised on a lifting platform.

21. The method according to claim 20, further comprising the steps of filling the air springs with compressed air to an initial level when a lifting platform situation is detected, and prohibiting any adjustment of the ride level compensation device if the drive engine of the vehicle is switched off.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein an adjustment of the ride level compensation device, which causes the distance from the bottom of the vehicle to the underlying surface to become larger, is permitted.

23. The method according to claim 20, wherein, after disruptive contact with a wedge of roadway material has been detected, an adjustment of the ride level compensation device is permitted if the drive engine of the vehicle is switched on.