VEHICLE SYSTEMS CONTROL FOR IMPROVING STABILITY

• US 20120265402A1
• Filed: 06/21/2012
• Published: 10/18/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Post, James W. II, Kang, Xiaodi, Monsma, William
• Application Number:
  US13/529,488
• Publication Number:
  US 20120265402A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/38
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/0165 to an external condition, e.g. rough road surface, side wind
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/0195 characterised by the regulation being combined with other vehicle control systems conjoint control of vehicle sub-units including control of suspension systems B60W10/22
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/06 Characteristics of dampers , e.g. mechanical dampersB60G17/015 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/016 Yawing condition
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/212 Transversal; Side-slip during cornering
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/213 by applying forward/backward torque on each wheel individually
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/214 by varying the load distribution
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/215 by applying a braking action on each wheel individually
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/912 Attitude Control; levelling control
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/94 Electronic Stability Program (ESP, i.e. ABS+ASC+EMS)
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 2201/14 Electronic locking-differential
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 2210/12 Friction
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 2260/06 Active Suspension System
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 2270/302 for all-wheel drive vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 8/17555 specially adapted for enhancing driver or passenger comfort, e.g. soft intervention or pre-actuation strategies
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 8/1769 specially adapted for vehicles having more than one driven axle, e.g. four-wheel drive vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/18 including control of braking systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/184 with wheel brakes
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/22 including control of suspension systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/22 Suspension systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2720/14 : Yaw
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2720/30 : Wheel torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2720/403 : between front and rear axle
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/02 : Control of vehicle driving stability
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/18172 : Preventing, or responsive to skidding of wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 40/064 : Degree of grip
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 40/11 : Pitch movement
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 40/112 : Roll movement
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 40/114 : Yaw movement

Abstract

Improved methods of controlling the stability of a vehicle are provided via the cooperative operation of vehicle stability control systems such as an Active Yaw Control system, Antilock Braking System, and Traction Control System. These methods use recognition of road surface information including the road friction coefficient (mu), wheel slippage, and yaw deviations. The methods then modify the settings of the active damping system and/or the distribution of drive torque, as necessary, to increase/reduce damping in the suspension and shift torque application at the wheels, thus preventing a significant shift of load in the vehicle and/or improving vehicle drivability and comfort. The adjustments of the active damping system or torque distribution temporarily override any characteristics that were pre-selected by the driver.

Claims

1. A cooperative Active Damping System (ADS) method for providing vehicle stability comprising the steps of:

providing a vehicle stability assist (VSA) system that determines yaw deviation from a desired condition, the system including a vehicle stability assist—

Active Yaw Control electronic control unit (VSA-AYC ECU);

providing an Active Damping System (ADS) for adjusting the suspension stiffness on the vehicle, at least independently between the front and the rear of the vehicle;

shifting the front to back damping distribution between using the ADS in order to correct the yaw deviation.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of reducing yaw deviation via braking if sufficient yaw rate error reduction cannot be obtained via the shifting of suspension stiffness from front to back.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the ADS includes electronically controlled, fast-acting Magneto-Rheological fluid dampers.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the ADS includes rotary valve dampers or controllable disc dampers.

5. The method of according to claim 1, wherein the ADS includes and ADS electronic control unit ECU that constantly monitory the VSA-AYC ECU and when the VSA-AYC ECU becomes activated the ADS ECU adjust the front/rear damping force distribution to generate a corrective yaw moment.