Vehicle dynamics control system

• US 20050143891A1
• Filed: 02/21/2003
• Published: 06/30/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Dana Corporation (Dana, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dana Corporation (Dana, Inc.)
• Inventors: Smith, Russell C.
• Application Number:
  US10/505,394
• Publication Number:
  US 20050143891A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/76
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/019 characterised by the type of sensor or the arrangement thereof B60G17/01941 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 21/0553 adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/11 Mounting of sensors thereon
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/10 Acceleration; Deceleration
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/104 lateral or transversal with regard to vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/204 Vehicle speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/206 Body oscillation speed; Body vibration frequency
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/33 Throttle position
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/34 Accelerator pedal position
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/39 Brake pedal position
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2401/12 Strain gauge
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2600/184 Semi-Active control means
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2600/85 Speed of regulation
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/012 Rolling condition
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/0122 Roll rigidity ratio; Warping
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/24 Steering, cornering
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/9124 Roll-over protection systems, e.g. for warning or control
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/916 Body Vibration Control
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/92 ABS - Brake Control
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/97 : Engine Management System [EMS]
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/984 : Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/06 : including control of combustion engines
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/18 : including control of braking systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/20 : including control of steering systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2420/22 : Strain gauge
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/0604 : Throttle position
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/18 : Braking system
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2520/10 : Longitudinal speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2520/105 : Longitudinal acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/10 : Accelerator pedal position
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/12 : Brake pedal position
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/18 : Steering angle
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/06 : Combustion engines, Gas turbines
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/18 : Braking system
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/22 : Suspension systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2720/18 : Roll
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/02 : Control of vehicle driving stability
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/06 : Improving the dynamic response of the control system, e.g. improving the speed of regulation or avoiding hunting or overshoot
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 37/00 : Stabilising vehicle bodies without controlling suspension arrangements

Abstract

A control system for a vehicle is provided that uses the frame of the vehicle as a sensory input to control various components of the vehicle. The control system includes one or more sensor assemblies that are mounted to the vehicle frame with each sensor assembly including one or more strain sensors generating signals indicative of the strain on the frame. The system further includes an electronic control unit that controls components such as the throttle valve, brakes, and warning indicators responsive to the signals generated by the strain sensors.

Claims

1. A control system for a vehicle, comprising:

a first sensor assembly mounted on a frame of said vehicle, said first sensor assembly including a first strain sensor generating a strain indicative signal indicative of strain on said frame; and

,

an electronic control unit for controlling an operation of a component of said vehicle responsive to said strain indicative signal.

2. The control system of claim 1, further comprising a throttle position sensor that generates a throttle position indicative signal, said electronic control unit controlling operation of said component responsive to said strain indicative signals and said throttle position indicative signal.

3. The control system of claim 1, further comprising a steering angle sensor that generates a steering angle indicative signal, said electronic control unit controlling operation of said component responsive to said strain indicative signals and said steering angle indicative signal.

4. The control system of claim 1, further comprising an accelerometer that generates an acceleration indicative signal, said electronic control unit controlling operation of said component responsive to said strain indicative signals and said acceleration indicative signal.

5. The control system of claim 1, further comprising a vehicle speed sensor that generates a speed indicative signal, said electronic control unit controlling operation of said component responsive to said strain indicative signal and said speed indicative signal.

6. The control system of claim 1, further comprising a wheel end ABS sensor that generates a brake indicative signal, said electronic control unit controlling operation of said component responsive to said strain indicative signal and said brake indicative signal.

7. The control system of claim 1 wherein said component comprises a shock absorber.

8. The control system of claim 1 wherein said component comprises a torsion rod coupled to said frame.

9. The control system of claim 1 wherein said component comprises a wheel brake of said vehicle.

10. The control system of claim 1 wherein said component comprises a throttle valve.

11. The control system of claim 1 wherein said component comprises an indicator that provides an indication of a characteristic of said vehicle to an operator of said vehicle.

12. The control system of claim 16, wherein each of said first and second sensor assemblies is disposed proximate a different wheel of said vehicle on one of first and second longitudinal rails of said frame.

13. The control system of claim 1 wherein said first sensor assembly is disposed on a cross member of said frame between first and second longitudinal rails of said frame.

14. The control system of claim 1 wherein said first sensor assembly includes a second strain sensor generating a strain indicative signal indicative of strain on said frame.

15. The control system of claim 1 wherein said first sensor assembly includes a metal substrate coupled to said frame.

16. The control system of claim 1, further comprising a second sensor assembly mounted on said frame of said vehicle, said second sensor assembly including a first strain sensor generating a strain indicative signal indicative of strain on said frame

wherein said electronic control unit controls said operation of said component of said vehicle responsive to said strain indicative signals of said first and second sensor assemblies.