Driveline angle control assembly and method for controlling driveline angles in a vehicle
First Claim
1. A method for controlling an angle of a driveline of a vehicle having an adjustable suspension system wherein the driveline includes a drive shaft driven through a universal joint that produces a sinusoidal rotational velocity defining alternating rotational acceleration and deceleration of the drive shaft in response to a rotational input velocity wherein the rotational acceleration and deceleration of the drive shaft change in relationship to the driveline angle, said method comprising the steps of:
- determining a rotational acceleration of the drive shaft; and
adjusting the suspension system to control the driveline angle in response to the rotational acceleration.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for automatically controlling angles in a driveline of a vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle includes an air-wide suspension system, and the driveline includes a drive shaft driven through a universal joint. The universal joint produces a rotational velocity that is detected by a sensor of a control assembly. A controller, also part of the control assembly, converts the rotational velocity into alternating rotational acceleration and deceleration of the drive shaft. Once quantified, the acceleration and deceleration of the drive shaft is compared to determine any changes in rotational acceleration. In response to any changes in rotational acceleration, the air-ride suspension system is adjusted to control the driveline angle at one end of the drive shaft such that the driveline angle at one end is balanced relative to the driveline angle at the other end of the drive shaft, and noise, vibration, fatigue, or failure of the drive shaft is reduced.
25 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for controlling an angle of a driveline of a vehicle having an adjustable suspension system wherein the driveline includes a drive shaft driven through a universal joint that produces a sinusoidal rotational velocity defining alternating rotational acceleration and deceleration of the drive shaft in response to a rotational input velocity wherein the rotational acceleration and deceleration of the drive shaft change in relationship to the driveline angle, said method comprising the steps of:
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determining a rotational acceleration of the drive shaft; and
adjusting the suspension system to control the driveline angle in response to the rotational acceleration. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for controlling an angle of a driveline of a vehicle having an adjustable suspension system wherein the driveline includes a drive shaft driven by a universal joint that produces a sinusoidal rotational velocity defining alternating rotational acceleration and deceleration of the drive shaft in response to a rotational input velocity wherein the rotational acceleration and deceleration of the drive shaft change in relationship to the driveline angle, said method comprising the steps of:
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sensing the rotational velocity of the drive shaft;
generating successive velocity signals indicative of the rotational velocity of the drive shaft and sending the successive velocity signals to a controller;
converting the successive velocity signals into successive acceleration factors indicative of the rotational acceleration of the drive shaft;
comparing at least one subsequent acceleration factor to at least one previous acceleration factor to determine a change in rotational acceleration; and
adjusting the suspension system to control the driveline angle in response to the change in rotational acceleration of the drive shaft.
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15. A driveline and control assembly for controlling driveline angles of a vehicle, said assembly comprising:
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a driveline including a drive shaft;
first and second universal joints at ends of the drive shaft;
an adjustable suspension system supporting a drive axle of the vehicle for changing the driveline angles of the drive shaft;
a sensor for sensing a rotational velocity of the drive shaft and for generating successive velocity signals indicative of the rotational velocity of the drive shaft; and
a controller communicating with said sensor for determining rotational acceleration of the drive shaft and for adjusting the suspension system to control the driveline angle in response to the rotational acceleration of the drive shaft. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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Specification