Method and apparatus for eliminating noise in a slope estimation arrangement for a motor vehicle

In a process for estimating slope of a surface on which a vehicle is supported, the steps of:

• sensing at least one operating parameter of said vehicle and generating first signals indicative thereof;
• processing said first signals in a data processor to provide an estimated slope value;
• detecting occurrence of at least one predetermined operating condition which causes errors in said estimated slope value;
• generating a noise elimination signal in response to detection of said predetermined operating condition;
• suppressing changes of said estimated slope value during generation of said noise elimination signal.

A process for generating an operating signal indicative of a slope of a surface on which a vehicle is supported, based on sensed operating parameters of said vehicle, a method of eliminating noise in said operating signal, said process comprising:

• sensing a plurality of said operating parameters and generating respective output signals indicative of said operating parameters;
• based on said output signals, detecting occurrence of at least one predetermined condition indicative of an occurrence of noise in said operating signal, said predetermined condition being selected form the group consisting of gear shifting in an automatic transmission, change of throttle valve opening, operation of brakes, low vehicle speed, rough road and slippery road surface;
• generating a noise suppression signal in response to detection of said predetermined condition;
• and
• maintaining said operating signal at a value thereof immediately prior to said noise suppression signal until said noise suppression signal terminates.

In a device for generating an operating signal indicative of a slope of a surface on which a vehicle is supported, based on sensed operating parameters of said vehicle, apparatus eliminating noise in said operating signal, said apparatus comprising:

• at least one sensor for sensing operating parameters of said vehicle and generating output signals indicative thereof;
• and
• a digital computer system having a computer readable memory encoded with a program which includes code for
• processing said output signals to detect occurrence of at least one predetermined condition which causes noise in said operating signal, said predetermined condition being selected from the group consisting of gear shifting in an automatic transmission, change of throttle valve opening, operation of brakes, low vehicle speed, rough road and slippery road surface;
• generating a noise suppression signal in response to detection of said predetermined condition;
• and
• maintaining said operating signal at a value thereof immediately prior to the generation of said noise suppression signal, until said noise suppression signal terminates.