SUSPENSION HEIGHT SENSOR

• US 20100123568A1
• Filed: 11/14/2008
• Published: 05/20/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: NAMUDURI, CHANDRA S., ELLIOTT, ROBERT B., LI, YUNJUN, TALTY, TIMOTHY J., MCMAHON, NANCY
• Granted Patent: US 8,174,377 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/438
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/018 characterised by the use of a specific signal treatment or control method
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/11 Mounting of sensors thereon
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/1162 directly mounted on the suspension arm
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/252 vertical
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2401/14 Photo or light sensitive means, e.g. Infrared
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2401/174 Radar
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2401/176 Radio or audio sensitive means, e.g. Ultrasonic
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2401/21 Laser

Abstract

A system is provided for determining a distance between a first portion of a vehicular suspension assembly and a second portion of the suspension assembly. The system comprises a transceiver coupled to the first portion for emitting a first signal toward the second portion, and for receiving a reflection of the first signal from the second portion, and a processor coupled to the transceiver for determining the distance between the first portion and the second portion.

Claims

1. A system for determining a distance between a first portion of a vehicular suspension assembly, and a second portion of the suspension assembly, the system comprising:

a transceiver coupled to the first portion for emitting a first signal toward the second portion, and for receiving a reflection of the first signal from the second portion; and

a processor coupled to the transceiver for determining the distance between the first portion and the second portion.

2. A system according to claim 1, further comprising a reflector coupled to the second portion, and configured to reflect the first signal.

3. A system according to claim 2, wherein the suspension assembly further comprises a sprung mass and an unsprung mass, and wherein the transceiver is coupled to one of the sprung mass or the unsprung mass, and the reflector is coupled to the other of the sprung mass or the unsprung mass.

4. A system according to claim 1, wherein the transceiver is configured to emit UWB signals, and the first signal is a UWB signal.

5. A system according to claim 2, wherein the suspension assembly comprises an actuator assembly coupled between the first portion and the second portion, and wherein the transceiver is coupled to the actuator assembly.

6. A system according to claim 3, wherein the suspension assembly comprises a damper assembly coupled between the sprung mass and the unsprung mass, and wherein the transceiver is coupled to the damper assembly.

7. A system according to claim 6, wherein the damper assembly comprises:

an upper mount assembly coupled to the sprung mass;

a dust tube coupled to the upper mount assembly; and

a damper tube assembly having a first end and a second end, the damper tube assembly coupled at the second end to the unsprung mass, and slidably coupled within the dust tube.

8. A system according to claim 7, wherein the transceiver is coupled to the upper mount assembly.

9. A system according to claim 7, wherein the transceiver is coupled to the damper tube assembly.

10. A system according to claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to determine a relative velocity between the first portion and the second portion.

11. A system for determining a distance between a first portion of a vehicular suspension assembly, and a second portion of the suspension assembly, the system comprising:

a transmitter coupled to the first portion for emitting a first signal;

a receiver coupled to the second portion for detecting the first signal; and

a processor coupled to the transmitter and the receiver, the processor configured to determine the distance between the first portion and the second portion.

12. A system according to claim 11, wherein the suspension assembly comprises an actuator assembly coupled between the first portion and the second portion, and wherein the transmitter is coupled to the actuator assembly.

13. A system according to claim 11, wherein the suspension assembly further comprises a sprung mass and an unsprung mass, and wherein the transmitter is coupled to one of the sprung mass or the unsprung mass, and the receiver is coupled to the other of the sprung mass or the unsprung mass.

14. A system according to claim 13, wherein the suspension assembly further comprises a damper assembly coupled between the sprung mass and the unsprung mass, and wherein the transmitter is coupled to the damper assembly.

15. A system according to claim 14, wherein the damper assembly comprises:

an upper mount assembly coupled to the sprung mass;

a dust tube coupled to the upper mount assembly; and

a damper tube assembly having a first end and a second end, the damper tube assembly coupled to the unsprung mass at the second end, and slidably coupled within the dust tube.

16. A system according to claim 15, wherein the transmitter is coupled to the upper mount assembly.

17. A system according to claim 15, wherein the transmitter is coupled to the damper tube assembly.

18. A system according to claim 15, further comprising a damper tube end portion coupled to the first end of the damper tube assembly, and wherein the transmitter is coupled to the damper tube end portion.

19. A system according to claim 15, wherein the processor is further configured to determine a relative acceleration between the sprung mass and the unsprung mass.

20. A system for determining a distance of travel of an actuator assembly for a vehicular suspension assembly, the suspension assembly having a first member and a second member, and the actuator assembly having a first end coupled to the first member and a second end coupled to the second member, the system comprising:

a transceiver coupled to the first end for emitting a first signal, and for receiving a reflection of the first signal from the second end;

a reflector coupled to the second end for reflecting the first signal; and

a processor coupled to the transceiver for determining the distance of travel.