Method for limiting endstop collisions in semi-active seat suspension systems
First Claim
1. In a seat suspension system having a first endstop limit, a second endstop limit and means for controlling the seat displacement, a method for limiting endstop collisions, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) sensing the relative position of the seat;
(b) determining the relative seat velocity;
(c) calculating a control signal by multiplying the seat velocity by a gain factor; and
(d) transmitting the control signal to said displacement control means to increase the damping to the required level.
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Abstract
A method for limiting endstop collisions when non-typical inputs are experienced and also when the seat is leveled at a position above or below the normal leveling zone limits. According to the method of the invention a temporary or transient control method referred to as rebound control method causes a large damping force to be applied by the seat suspension system in response to non-typically large inputs. The large damping force is applied until a duration timer timesout. Also according to the invention, a level control algorithm provides additional damping when the seat is leveled outside the normal leveling zone. The degree of additional damping provided is a function of the distance the seat exceeds the normal leveling zone.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. In a seat suspension system having a first endstop limit, a second endstop limit and means for controlling the seat displacement, a method for limiting endstop collisions, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) sensing the relative position of the seat;
(b) determining the relative seat velocity;
(c) calculating a control signal by multiplying the seat velocity by a gain factor; and
(d) transmitting the control signal to said displacement control means to increase the damping to the required level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. In a seat suspension system having a first endstop limit, a second endstop limit and means for controlling the seat displacement, a method for limiting endstop collisions, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) sensing the position of the seat and calculating the deviation of the sensed seat position from a predetermined normal leveling zone;
(b) determining the relative seat velocity;
(c) calculating a control signal by multiplying the relative seat velocity by a gain factor, where the gain factor is comprised of a constant value multiplied by the deviation from a predefined normal leveling zone; and
(d) transmitting the control signal to said displacement control means to increase the damping to the required level.
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25. In a seat suspension system having a first endstop limit, a second endstop limit and means for controlling the seat displacement, a method for limiting endstop collisions, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) calculating the deviation of the sensed seat position from a predetermined normal leveling zone;
(b) determining the relative seat velocity;
(c) calculating a control signal by multiplying the relative seat velocity by a gain factor, where the gain factor is comprised of a constant value multiplied by the deviation from a predefined normal leveling zone; and
(e) transmitting the control signal to said displacement control means to increase the damping to the required level.
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26. In a seat suspension system having a seat with a leveled seat height, a first endstop limit, a second endstop limit and means for controlling the seat displacement, a method for limiting endstop collisions, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) calculating the deviation of the sensed seat position from a predetermined normal leveling zone maximum and minimum limits, if the leveled seat height is greater than the predetermined maximum normal leveling zone limit, the method comprising the additional step of subtracting the value of the normal leveling zone maximum limit from the value of the leveled seat height; and
if the leveled seat height is less than the minimum normal leveling zone limit, the method comprising the additional step of subtracting the value of the leveled seat height from normal leveling zone minimum limit;
(b) determining the relative seat velocity;
(c) calculating a control signal by multiplying the relative seat velocity by a gain factor, where the gain factor is comprised of a constant value multiplied by the deviation from a predefined normal leveling zone; and
(d) transmitting the control signal to said displacement control means to increase the damping to the required level.
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Specification