US 4,468,050 AGranted

Computer optimized adaptive suspension system

OwnerLonnie K. Woods, James M. Hamiltoninventors

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Abstract

A vehicle suspension system in which a computer controls damping and spring forces to optimize ride and handling characteristics under a wide range of driving conditions. A controllable shock absorber connected between the wheel and frame of the vehicle includes a hydraulic sensor which provides signals to the computer which are representative of the position of the piston within the shock absorber. The computer utilizes these position signals to control compression and rebound hydraulic pressure regulators by continuously computing, utilizing programmed algorithms, compression and rebound damping forces that will yield the desired ride and handling characteristics. An air spring may be connected with the shock absorber for compression and rebound along the same axis. Pressure sensors and air pressure inlet and outlet valves are connected to the computer for adjusting the pressure within the air spring to provide the desired spring rate.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A vehicle suspension control system in communication with a plurality of suspension units connected between the chassis and axle portions of a vehicle, each suspension unit including spring means and a damping device, the compression and rebounding damping forces of each said damping device being selectively and independently adjustable substantially independently of suspension movement velocity, each said suspension unit having sensor means to determine the position of said axle with respect to said chassis, said control system comprising:

means providing a first signal from each said sensor means, said first signal representing the position of said axle with respect to said chassis for each said suspension unit;
first signal processing means for generating a plurality of groups of a plurality of second signals in response to said first signals from said sensor means, each said second signal in each group representing a distinct state of motion of said chassis and axle with respect to the desired response for the associated damping device, each said group of second signals being peculiar to each said suspension unit;
second signal processing means for generating a plurality of groups of a plurality of paired third and fourth signals, each pair of said third and fourth signals being generated in response to one of said second signals, each said third and fourth signal representing the desired compression and rebound damping forces respectively relating to said distinct state of motion, each said group of third and fourth signals being associated with a respective one of said damping devices;
third signal processing means for generating a plurality of paired fifth and sixth signals, each said pair of fifth and sixth signals being in response to one of said groups of third and fourth signals, each said pair of fifth and sixth signals being associated with a respective one of said damping devices, said fifth signal comprising a summation of said third signals associated with said damping device, said sixth signal comprising a summation of said fourth signals associated with said damping device;
means for adjusting the compression damping forces of each said damping device;
means for adjusting the rebound damping forces of each said damping device;
means for applying one of said fifth signals to said compression damping force adjusting means;
and
means for applying one of said sixth signals to said rebound damping force adjusting means;
whereby the compression and rebound damping forces are continually optimally controlled for each said damping device to provide desired ride characteristics for the vehicle.

7 more elements

A method for controlling a vehicle suspension system wherein said suspension system comprises a plurality of suspension units connected between the chassis and axle portions of a vehicle, each suspension unit including spring means and a damping device, the compression and rebound damping forces of each said damping device being selectively and independently adjustable by respective means substantially independently of suspension movement velocity, each said suspension unit having sensor means to determined the position of said axle with respect to said chassis, said method comprising the steps of:

generating a first signal from each said sensor means, said first signal representing the position of said axle with respect to said chassis for each said suspension unit;
processing said first signal from each sensor means to generate a plurality of groups of a plurality of second signals, each said second signal in each group representing a distinct state of motion of said chassis and axle with respect to the desired response for the associated damping device, each said group of second signals being peculiar to each said suspension unit;
processing each said second signal to generate paired third and fourth signals, each said third and fourth signals representing the desired compression and rebound damping forces respectively relating to said distinct state of motion, each group of said third and fourth signals being associated with one of said damping devices;
processing said pairs of third and fourth signals in said groups to generate a plurality of paired fifth and sixth signals, each said pair of fifth and sixth signals resulting from one of said groups of third and fourth signal and is associated with a respective one of said damping devices, said fifth signal comprising a summation of said third signals associated with said damping device, said sixth signal comprising a summation of said fourth signals associated with said damping device;
applying one of said fifth signals to said compression damping force adjusting means for each said damping device;
and
applying one of said sixth signals to said rebound damping force adjusting means for each said damping device;
whereby the compression and rebound damping forces are optimally controlled for each said damping device to provide desired ride characteristics for the vehicle.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.