Drive train vibration control system
First Claim
1. A control system for a vehicle having a drive train comprising:
- a first sensor adapted to measure at least one of torque and vibration of a vehicle component;
a valve module adapted to adjust a ride height of the vehicle, and thereby realign the drive train of the vehicle;
a second sensor adapted to measure the ride height of the vehicle; and
a control unit in communication with said first sensor, said second sensor and said valve module, wherein the control unit controls the valve module to realign the drive train based on the measured ride height and the at least one of the measured torque and vibration.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A control system that senses misalignment of components in a vehicle drive train system and adjusts the vehicle ride height to realign the components. A control unit monitors vibration, torque or other operating parameters of a vehicle'"'"'s drive train or other vehicle components and determines whether the parameters are abnormal. If the monitored parameters are abnormal, then the control unit controls suspension elements on the vehicle to adjust the ride height of the vehicle and subsequently the alignment of the drive train, for example, the operating angle of the driveshaft. A ride height sensor feeds back ride height measurements as the suspension elements are adjusted to assist in finding an optimal ride height that eliminates or reduces excess vibration and/or torque. In another embodiment, the control unit adjusts the ride height based on vehicle speed or fuel economy to reduce the profile of the vehicle and improve fuel economy.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A control system for a vehicle having a drive train comprising:
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a first sensor adapted to measure at least one of torque and vibration of a vehicle component;
a valve module adapted to adjust a ride height of the vehicle, and thereby realign the drive train of the vehicle;
a second sensor adapted to measure the ride height of the vehicle; and
a control unit in communication with said first sensor, said second sensor and said valve module, wherein the control unit controls the valve module to realign the drive train based on the measured ride height and the at least one of the measured torque and vibration. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system for controlling drive train alignment in a vehicle having a ride height comprising:
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means for sensing at least one of vibration and torque in a vehicle component; and
means for adjusting the ride height based on the sensed at least one of vibration and torque and for simultaneously realigning the drive train when the ride height is adjusted. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
a valve module in fluid communication with an air suspension element; and
a control unit in communication with the valve module wherein the control unit causes the valve module to adjust the air pressure in the air suspension element based on the sensed at least one of torque and vibration.
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16. The system of claim 11 wherein the sensing means senses the at least one of vibration and torque substantially only when the vehicle is traveling at a constant rate.
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17. The system of claim 11 wherein the drive train includes a driveshaft disposed at a driveshaft angle and wherein the adjustment of the ride height in response to the sensed at least one of torque and vibration adjusts the driveshaft angle.
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18. A drive train system comprising:
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a transmission;
an axle;
a driveshaft connecting the transmission and the axle;
a sensor adapted to measure vibration in at least one of the transmission, the axle and the driveshaft;
a control that selectively adjusts alignment of at least one of the transmission, the axle and the driveshaft based on the measured vibration.
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19. A process for controlling drive train alignment in a vehicle having a ride height comprising:
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sensing at least one of torque and vibration in a vehicle component;
adjusting the ride height by at least one of increasing and decreasing the ride height based on the sensed at least one of vibration and torque, said adjusting of the ride height consequently causing the drive train alignment to be adjusted. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A process for adjusting a vehicle drive train comprising:
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measuring vibration in the drive train;
adjusting a ride height of the vehicle, by at least one of increasing and deceasing the ride height, based on said measuring to consequently adjust the alignment of the drive train and reduce the vibration.
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Specification