Vehicle deceleration prediction based on vehicle dive

Abstract

An improved scheme for predicting vehicle velocity independent of wheel speed for use in a vehicle antilock braking system (31) is disclosed and includes an arrangement for measuring variations in the separation between a reference point on the vehicle (11) and the surface (17) on which the vehicle (11) is supported. This measurement is appropriately scaled to obtain a signal indicative of vehicle deceleration and is integrated to obtain a signal indicative of vehicle velocity. The reference point may be a fixed location on the vehicle frame and the measuring arrangement may preferably determine variations in the spacing between the fixed point and the front axle. In the disclosed form, the measuring arrangement comprises a resistor the resistance of which varies as the spacing varies. This resistance may comprise a string potentiometer (39) fixed to the fixed point and having a lead wire (43) fastened to a lever arm (45) on the sway bar (47) of the vehicle front end suspension.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.