Method and device for ride height control of a motor vehicle

• US 7,063,333 B2
• Filed: 12/12/2002
• Issued: 06/20/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Volkswagen AG
• Original Assignee: Volkswagen AG
• Inventors: Fischer, Martin, van Cayzeele, Patricio, Fischer, Norbert
• Primary Examiner(s): Dunn, David R.
• Application Number:
  US10/317,822
• Publication Number:
  US 20030139861A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,286 Days
• Field of Search: 280/5.501, 280/5.514, 280/6.157, 280/6.158, 180/171, 180/179, 701/37, 701/93, 340/438, 340/441
• US Class Current: 280/5.501
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/0161 mainly during straight-line motion B60G17/0164 takes precedence
• 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 2400/204 Vehicle speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/252 vertical
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2500/30 Height or ground clearance
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2600/02 Retarders, delaying means, dead zones, threshold values, cut-off frequency, timer interruption
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2600/1877 Adaptive Control
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/164 Heaving; Squatting
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/912 Attitude Control; levelling control
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/914 Height Control System
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/982 Active Cruise Control, e.g. DISTRONIC type

Abstract

In a method and a device of a motor vehicle, including regulating units for adjusting the level position of a motor vehicle, at least one control unit for activating the regulating units, at least one sensor mechanism for recording the actual level position of the motor vehicle and a device for setting a setpoint level position of the motor vehicle, the actual level position being adapted to the actual speed of the motor vehicle regarding driving dynamics, whereby a set setpoint level position is able to be fixed, a limiting speed V_limit regarding driving dynamics is able to be assigned to the setpoint level position, and this limiting speed is not able to be exceeded.

Claims

1. A device for ride height control of a motor vehicle, comprising:

regulating units configured to adjust a level position of the motor vehicle;

at least one control unit configured to activate the regulating units;

at least one sensor mechanism configured to record an actual level position of the motor vehicle; and

a device configured to set a setpoint level position of the motor vehicle,

wherein the ride height control device is configured to selectively;

fix a set setpoint level position and assign a limiting speed in accordance with driving dynamics to the setpoint level position, the limiting speed not being exceedable; and

adjust to and fix a set setpoint level position and deactivate the ride height control after fixing.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the regulating units include air springs.

3. The device according to claim 2, further comprising a compressor assigned to the air springs.

4. A device for ride height control of a motor vehicle, comprising:

regulating units configured to adjust a level position of the motor vehicle;

at least one control unit configured to activate the regulating units;

at least one sensor mechanism configured to record an actual level position of the motor vehicle; and

a device configured to set a setpoint level position of the motor vehicle,

wherein the ride height control device is configured to selectively;

(i) fix a set setpoint level position and assign a limiting speed in accordance with driving dynamics to the setpoint level position, the limiting speed not being exceedable, at least one of an engine control device and an electrical stabilization program configured to perform a limit to the limiting speed; and

(ii) adjust to and fix a set setpoint level position and to deactivate the ride height control after fixing.

5. A device for ride height control of a motor vehicle, comprising:

regulating units configured to adjust a level position of the motor vehicle;

at least one control unit configured to activate the regulating units;

at least one sensor mechanism configured to record an actual level position of the motor vehicle; and

a device configured to set a setpoint level position of the motor vehicle,

wherein the ride height control device is configured to selectively;

(i) fix a set setpoint level position and assign a limiting speed in accordance with driving dynamics to the setpoint level position, the limiting speed not being exceedable, the device for ride height control including a display unit configured to display the limiting speed for the set setpoint level position; and

(ii) adjust to and fix a set setpoint level position and to deactivate the ride height control after fixing.

6. A method for ride height control of a motor vehicle in accordance with regulating units configured to adjust a level position of the motor vehicle, at least one control unit configured to activate the regulating units, at least one sensor mechanism configured to record an actual level position of the motor vehicle and a device configured to set a setpoint level position of the motor vehicle, comprising:

inputting and fixing a desired setpoint level position by the device configured to set the setpoint level position;

ascertaining a limiting speed in accordance with the fixed setpoint level position; and

regulating an engine of the motor vehicle below the limiting speed.

7. A method for ride height control of a motor vehicle in accordance with regulating units configured to adjust a level position of the motor vehicle and compensate for level differences caused by riding surface unevenness, at least one control unit configured to activate the regulating units, at least one sensor mechanism configured to record an actual level position of the motor vehicle and a device configured to set a setpoint level position of the motor vehicle, comprising:

adjusting to a set and fixed setpoint level position;

deactivating the ride height control; and

limiting a speed of the motor vehicle in motion below a threshold speed so as to increase stability of the motor vehicle.

8. A device for ride height control of a motor vehicle, comprising:

regulating units configured to adjust a level position of the motor vehicle and compensate for level differences caused by riding surface unevenness;

at least one control unit configured to activate the regulating units;

at least one sensor mechanism configured to record an actual level position of the motor vehicle;

the device configured to set a setpoint level position of the motor vehicle and to adjust to and fix a set setpoint level position and to deactivate the ride height control after fixing, the device further configured to limit a speed of the motor vehicle in motion having a fixed setpoint level position below a threshold speed so as to increase stability of the motor vehicle.

9. A method for ride height control of a motor vehicle, comprising:

recording an actual level position of the motor vehicle by at least one sensor mechanism;

setting a setpoint level position of the motor vehicle;

activating regulating units by at least one control unit, said regulating units configured to adjust a level position of the motor vehicle and compensate for level differences caused by riding surface unevenness;

adjusting a level position of the motor vehicle in accordance with the regulating units to a set and fixed setpoint level position;

deactivating the ride height control; and

limiting a speed of the motor vehicle in motion below a threshold speed so as to increase stability of the motor vehicle.