Absolute acceleration sensor for use within moving vehicles

• US 8,315,769 B2
• Filed: 11/22/2011
• Issued: 11/20/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vision Works IP Corp.
• Original Assignee: Vision Works IP Corp.
• Inventors: Braunberger, Alfred S., Braunberger, Beau M.
• Primary Examiner(s): ARTHUR JEANGLAUDE, GERTRUDE
• Application Number:
  US13/302,965
• Publication Number:
  US 20120095647A1
• Time in Patent Office: 364 Days
• Field of Search: 701/70, 701/79, 701/91, 701/36, 701/37, 180/170, 180/197, 340/425.5, 340/439
• US Class Current: 701/70
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/104 lateral or transversal with regard to vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/447 with indication of the braking strength or speed changes, e.g. by changing the shape or intensity of the indication
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/008 for anti-collision purposes
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0132 responsive to vehicle motion parameters , e.g. to vehicle longitudinal or transversal deceleration or speed value
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/14 by making use of gyroscopes gyroscopes per se G01C19/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/162 event-triggered
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass

Abstract

A communication system for a vehicle includes a vehicle speed sensor configured to emit a periodic function with a parameter correlated to the speed of the vehicle, an acceleration monitoring system, a braking system engagement detector to detect a braking status of the vehicle, an alerting device capable of signaling other drivers of a deceleration condition of the vehicle, and a control device. The acceleration monitoring system is configured to compute the acceleration of the vehicle from variations in the parameter of the periodic function of the vehicle speed sensor and to output a deceleration status of the vehicle. The control device is coupled to the acceleration monitoring system, the braking system engagement detector, and the alerting device, wherein the acceleration monitoring system sends signals to the control device and the control device operates the alerting device in a manner dependent on the deceleration status of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A device for a vehicle, comprising:

a. an accelerometer-gyroscope for sensing an absolute lateral acceleration;

b. a suspension selector; and

c. a plurality of controllers for individually controlling one or more suspension systems of the vehicle.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is installed within the vehicle as an aftermarket add-on.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is installed within the vehicle at a factory.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the accelerometer-gyroscope sends a signal to the suspension selector based upon an absolute lateral acceleration of the vehicle and the suspension selector sends a signal to the one or more controllers based upon the signal received from the accelerometer-gyroscope.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the one or more suspension systems adjust the suspension of the vehicle in order to move a center of gravity of the vehicle and more evenly distribute a load of the vehicle.

6. The device of claim 4, wherein the one or more suspension systems stiffen or loosen based upon a signal received from the one or more controllers.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the one or more suspension systems are arranged into quadrants.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the one or more suspension systems are arranged into four quadrants.

9. A system for controlling the performance characteristics of a vehicle comprising:

a. an accelerometer-gyroscope for sensing an absolute lateral acceleration of the vehicle;

b. a suspension selector that receives a signal from the accelerometer-gyroscope based upon the absolute lateral acceleration of the vehicle;

c. a plurality of controllers that receive a signal from the suspension selector based upon the signal received from the accelerometer-gyroscope; and

d. one or more suspension systems that are individually activated by the one or more controllers base upon the signal received from the accelerometer-gyroscope.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the system is installed within the vehicle as an aftermarket add-on.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the system is installed within the vehicle at a factory.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the accelerometer-gyroscope sends a signal to the suspension selector based upon an absolute lateral acceleration of the vehicle and the suspension selector sends a signal to the one or more controllers based upon the signal received from the accelerometer-gyroscope.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the one or more suspension systems adjust the suspension of the vehicle in order to move a center of gravity of a vehicle and more evenly distribute a load of a vehicle.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the one or more suspension systems stiffen or loosen based upon a signal received from the one or more controllers.

15. The system of claim 9, wherein the one or more suspension systems are arranged into quadrants.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the one or more suspension systems are arranged into four quadrants.

17. The system of claim 9, wherein the accelerometer-gyroscope also senses a vertical acceleration.

18. The system of claim 17, further comprising a vehicle computer unit (VCU), wherein the VCU receives a signal from the accelerometer-gyroscope corresponding to a vertical acceleration of the vehicle and uses a baseline performance data to either self correct a performance characteristic of the vehicle or issue a warning.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the VCU issues a warning that a tire pressure is low.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the VCU issues a warning that one or more suspension shock absorbers of the vehicle are degraded.

21. A method of controlling the performance characteristics of a vehicle, comprising:

a. sensing a lateral acceleration of the vehicle at the vehicle;

b. sending a signal to a plurality of control devices based upon the lateral acceleration of the vehicle; and

c. adjusting a suspension characteristic of the vehicle base upon the lateral acceleration of the vehicle.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the suspension is adjusted in order to move the center of gravity of the vehicle in order to more evenly distribute the load of the vehicle.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the suspension is stiffened or loosened based upon the lateral acceleration of the vehicle.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein the suspension is arranged into quadrants.

25. The method of claim 21, wherein the suspension is arranged into four quadrants.

26. The method of claim 21, further comprising sensing a vertical acceleration of the vehicle.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein a VCU receives a signal corresponding to the vertical acceleration of the vehicle and uses a baseline performance data to either self correct a performance characteristic of the vehicle or issue a warning.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the VCU issues a warning that the a pressure is low.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein the VCU issues a warning that one or more suspension shock absorbers of the vehicle are degraded.