Device for controlling a vehicle component in dependence upon transverse acceleration

• US 5,381,335 A
• Filed: 07/31/1992
• Issued: 01/10/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs AG
• Original Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs AG
• Inventors: Wolf, Fritz
• Primary Examiner(s): Teska, Kevin J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WALDER, STEPHEN JOSEPH
• Application Number:
  US07/923,321
• Time in Patent Office: 893 Days
• Field of Search: 364/426.01, 364/426.02, 364/426.03, 364/434, 364/424.05, 280/707
• 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 2400/104 lateral or transversal with regard to vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/106 longitudinal with regard to vehicle, e.g. braking
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/204 Vehicle speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/41 Steering angle
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/44 Steering speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/60 Load
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2500/10 Damping action or damper
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2600/14 Differentiating means, i.e. differential control
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/24 Steering, cornering

Abstract

A device is proposed for the control of a transverse-acceleration-dependent vehicle component, particularly a shock-absorber, dependent upon a control signal representing the transverse acceleration and obtained by means of a computer. In the device of the invention the computer is supplied by a tachogenerator responding to the vehicle speed and by a steering angle sensor responding to a steering lock. The computer is designed for obtaining the control signal taking into consideration values specific to the vehicle, such as mass of the vehicle, wheel suspension rigidity and the like.

Claims

1. A device for controlling a vehicle component that is controllable in dependence upon transverse acceleration of and transverse jolt to the vehicle, comprising:

steering angle sensor means for detecting and producing a steering angle signal indicative of the steering angle of the vehicle,

tachogenerator means for detecting and producing a speed signal indicative of the speed of the vehicle,

computer means connected to said steering angle sensor means and said tachogenerator means for receiving and processing said steering angle signal and said speed signal to provide a first control signal representing the transverse acceleration for controlling said vehicle component and derived according to the formula;

##EQU8## in which y is the value of the first control signal representing the transverse acceleration, β

is the value of the steering angle signal, v is the value of the speed signal, and i, k and L are constants specific to the vehicle, and a second control signal representing the transverse jolt for controlling said vehicle component derived according to the formula;

##EQU9## in which z is the value of the second control signal representing the transverse jolt, β

is the value of the steering angle signal, dβ

/dt is the value of the time derivation of the steering angle signal, v is the value of the speed signal, dv/dt is the value of the time derivation of the speed signal, and i, k and L are constants specific to the vehicle,

the computer means having a first differentiator for deriving the value dβ

/dt and a second differentiator for deriving the value dv/dt, and

vehicle component control means for receiving said first control signal and said second control signal and for controlling the vehicle component in accordance with said first control signal and said second control signal.

2. A device for controlling a vehicle component that is controllable in dependence upon transverse acceleration of and transverse jolt to the vehicle, comprising:

steering angle sensor means for detecting and producing a steering angle signal indicative of the steering angle of the vehicle,

tachogenerator means for detecting and producing a speed signal indicative of the speed of the vehicle,

computer means connected to said steering angle sensor means and said tachogenerator means for receiving and processing said steering angle signal and said speed signal to provide a first control signal representing the transverse acceleration for controlling said vehicle component and derived according to the formula;

##EQU10## in which y is the value of the first control signal representing the transverse acceleration, β

is the value of the steering angle signal, v is the value of the speed signal, and i, k and L are constants specific to the vehicle, and a second control signal representing the transverse jolt for controlling said vehicle component derived according to the formula;

##EQU11## in which z'"'"' is the value of the second control signal representing the transverse jolt, dβ

/dt is the value of the time derivation of the steering angle signal, v is the value of the speed signal, and i, k and L are constants specific to the vehicle,

the computer means having a differentiator for deriving the value dβ

/dt, and

vehicle component control means for receiving said first control signal and said second control signal and for controlling the vehicle component in accordance with said first control signal and said second control signal.