Method of generating a vehicle lateral acceleration signal for use in an active tilt control system

• US 6,169,939 B1
• Filed: 09/08/1998
• Issued: 01/02/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Raad, Joseph Mikhael, Villec, George Nicholas, Hermann, Steven A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuchlinski, Jr., William A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MANCHO, RONNIE M
• Application Number:
  US09/149,235
• Time in Patent Office: 847 Days
• Field of Search: 701/1, 701/36, 701/37, 701/38, 701/48, 280/5.508, 303/150
• US Class Current: 701/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/01908 Acceleration or inclination sensors characterised by the use of gyroscopes B60G21/08
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/1042 using at least two sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/63 Location of the center of gravity
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2600/182 Active control means
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/012 Rolling condition
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/702 Improving accuracy of a sensor signal
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/9123 Active Body Control [ABC]

Abstract

A method is provided for generating a vehicle lateral acceleration signal for use in an active tilt control system in a vehicle having a sprung mass center of gravity. A single lateral accelerometer is mounted at the sprung mass center of gravity of the vehicle to generate a first lateral acceleration signal (a_cg). A second lateral acceleration signal (a_Lapprox) is generated representative of a vehicle lateral acceleration at a point spaced from the sprung mass center of gravity based upon the first lateral acceleration signal for use in the active tilt control system.

Claims

1. A method of generating a vehicle lateral acceleration signal for use in an active tilt control system in a vehicle having a sprung mass center of gravity, the method comprising:

monitoring vehicle speed;

mounting a single lateral accelerometer at the sprung mass center of gravity of the vehicle to generate a first lateral acceleration signal (a_cg); and

generating a second lateral acceleration signal (a_Lapprox) representative of a vehicle lateral acceleration at a point spaced from the sprung mass center of gravity based upon said first lateral acceleration signal (a_cg) and said monitored vehicle speed for use in the active tilt control system.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of generating a second lateral acceleration signal (a_Lapprox) comprises performing the following calculation:

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said point spaced from the sprung mass center of gravity is at least one meter forward in vehicle from the sprung mass center of gravity.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising varying said r variable in real time in response to vehicle operating conditions.

5. A method of generating a vehicle lateral acceleration signal for use in an active tilt control system in a vehicle having a sprung mass center of gravity, the method comprising:

monitoring vehicle speed;

mounting a single lateral accelerometer to the vehicle at a specific mounting point to generate a first lateral acceleration signal; and

generating a virtual second lateral acceleration signal (a_Lapprox) representative of vehicle lateral acceleration at a point spaced from the sprung mass center of gravity based upon said first lateral acceleration signal and based on said monitored vehicle speed for use in the active tilt control system, said point spaced from the sprung mass center of gravity not having an accelerometer.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said point spaced from the sprung mass center of gravity is at least 1 meter forward in vehicle from the sprung mass center of gravity.

7. The method of claim 5 further comprising varying the distance at which said point is spaced from the sprung mass center of gravity in real time in response to vehicle operating conditions.