Enhanced computer optimized adaptive suspension system and method
First Claim
1. A control system for controlling the damping response of a vehicle suspension system comprising:
- a suspension control unit having an integral wheel position sensing device to determine the position of a wheel and a damper for applying a force on the wheel; and
a distributed controller architecture for calculating the damping force to be applied to the vehicle suspension system by the damper based upon the wheel position determined by the wheel position sensing device, wherein the distributed controller architecture determines simulated compression and rebound forces of a simulated accumulator required to provide mechanical compliance as a function of the position of the wheel and adjusts the compression and rebound forces applied by the damper to emulate mechanical compliance of the simulated accumulator.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for controlling a damping system. The system has at least two dampers for damping between sprung and unsprung masses in the compression and rebound directions. Sensors generate signals based on position and other parameters of motion representative of the displacement between the sprung and unsprung masses. The process determines the appropriate compression and rebound forces to be applied at the wheels. A regulator responds to at least one of the independent compression and rebound control signals for adjusting, respectively, at least one of compression and rebound resisting forces of the dampers between the masses. Compliance for the dampers is emulated with software to produce the desired compliance forces. The distributed controller includes a processor that is responsive to signals representative of the position signals for forming the compression and rebound control signals for the regulator as a function of motion between the masses or a motion of a vehicle in which the dampers are located. The system has the capability of locking the suspension when parked.
203 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A control system for controlling the damping response of a vehicle suspension system comprising:
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a suspension control unit having an integral wheel position sensing device to determine the position of a wheel and a damper for applying a force on the wheel; and
a distributed controller architecture for calculating the damping force to be applied to the vehicle suspension system by the damper based upon the wheel position determined by the wheel position sensing device, wherein the distributed controller architecture determines simulated compression and rebound forces of a simulated accumulator required to provide mechanical compliance as a function of the position of the wheel and adjusts the compression and rebound forces applied by the damper to emulate mechanical compliance of the simulated accumulator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A control system for controlling the damping response of a vehicle suspension system comprising:
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a suspension control unit having an integral wheel position sensing device to determine the position of a wheel and a damper capable of applying a force on the wheel;
enda distributed controller architecture for calculating the damping force to be applied to the vehicle suspension system by the damper based upon the wheel position determined by the wheel position sensing device, wherein the suspension control unit'"'"'s position sensing device comprises a temperature sensor for determining absolute wheel position, wherein the distributed controller architecture determines simulated compression and rebound forces to provide mechanical compliance in response to adjust the compression and rebound forces applied by the damper.
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11. A method for controlling the damping response of a vehicle suspension comprising:
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determining velocity of a damper shaft coupled to a wheel;
determining compression and rebound forces to be applied to the wheel based upon parameters of motion;
determining simulated compression and rebound forces of a simulated accumulator required to provide mechanical compliance; and
modifying the compression and rebound forces applied to the wheel to emulate the mechanical compliance of the simulated accumulator in accordance with the simulated compression and rebound forces. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for controlling the damping response of a vehicle suspension comprising:
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determining compression and rebound forces to be applied to a wheel based upon parameters of motion;
determining vehicle loading as a function of spring natural frequency of the vehicle suspension by determining vehicle loading as a function of a ratio of spring natural frequency and one half the spring natural frequency of the suspension; and
modifying the compression and rebound forces to provide compensation for variation of vehicle loading.
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21. A method for controlling the damping response of a vehicle suspension comprising:
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determining compression and rebound forces to be applied to a wheel based upon parameters of motion;
determining vehicle loading as a function of spring natural frequency of the vehicle suspension;
modifying the compression and rebound forces to provide compensation for variation of vehicle loading;
simulating compression and rebound forces of a simulated accumulator required to provide mechanical compliance as a function of the parameters of motion; and
modifying the compression and rebound forces applied to the wheel to emulate the mechanical compliance of the simulated accumulator.
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Specification