US4853860A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Control system for adjustable automotive suspension unit
Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
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Filing: 1987-11-18
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Granted: 1989-08-01
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Expires: 2007-11-18
Abstract
Abstract A control system for an adjustable automotive vehicle suspension unit calculates the instantaneous angular rate of a steering handwheel associated with the vehicle and compares the calculated rate with an initiation value. If the calculated angular rate exceeds the initiation value, the excursion angle of the steering handwheel will be measured during a predetermined time period and in the event that such excursion angle exceeds a critical value during the time period or a threshold value at the conclusion of the time period, the adjustable suspension unit will be adjusted accordingly.
Inventors
- 👤 Kurt F. Achenbach
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 16:43
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60G; B60G17/00; B60G17/015; B60G17/016; B60G17/0162; B60G2400/00; B60G2400/10; B60G2400/106; B60G2400/20; B60G2400/204; B60G2400/25; B60G2400/252; B60G2400/40; B60G2400/41; B60G2400/44; B60G2401/00; B60G2401/14; B60G2500/00; B60G2500/10; B60G2500/20; B60G2500/22; B60G2600/00; B60G2600/12; B60G2800/00; B60G2800/01; B60G2800/014
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
A control system for an adjustable automotive vehicle suspension unit comprising: first means for calculating the instantaneous angular rate of a steering handwheel associated with said automotive vehicle; second means for comparing said calculated angular rate with an initiation value and for generating a first signal whenever said angular rate exceeds said initiation value; third means responsive to said first signal for determining, during a predetermined time period after said first signal is generated, the excursion angle through which said handwheel is moved; fourth means for comparing said excursion angle to critical and threshold reference values and for generating a second signal when said excursion angle exceeds either said critical reference value at any time during said predetermined time period or said threshold reference value at the conclusion of said predetermined time period; and fifth means responsive to said second signal for adjusting said adjustable suspension unit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
147 words
A control system for an adjustable automotive vehicle suspension unit comprising: first means for calculating the instantaneous angular rate of a steering handwheel associated with said automotive vehicle; second means for comparing said calculated angular rate with an initiation value and for generating a first signal whenever said angular rate exceeds said initiation value; third means responsive to said first signal for determining, during a predetermined time period after said first signal is generated, the excursion angle through which said handwheel is moved; fourth means for comparing said excursion angle to critical and threshold reference values and for generating a second signal when said excursion angle exceeds either said critical reference value at any time during said predetermined time period or said threshold reference value at the conclusion of said predetermined time period; and fifth means responsive to said second signal for adjusting said adjustable suspension unit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
A control system for an adjustable automotive vehicle suspension unit according to claim 1 wherein said excursion angle is measured from the instantaneous position of said handwheel at the time said first signal is generated.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
A control system for an adjustable automotive vehicle suspension unit according to claim 2 wherein said instantaneous angular rate is recalculated by said first means whenever said handwheel is returned to the position which said handwheel occupied at the time said first signal was generated, whereby said third means will be caused to re-determine said excursion angle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
A control system for an adjustable automotive vehicle suspension unit according to claim 1 wherein said predetermined time period employed by said third means is adjusted as a function of as forward velocity of said vehicle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
A control system for an adjustable automotive vehicle suspension unit according to claim 1 wherein said critical and threshold values are dependent upon as forward velocity of said vehicle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
A control system for an adjustable automotive vehicle suspension unit according to claim 1 wherein said fifth means is directed to place said suspension unit in a firmer setting whenever said excursion angle exceeds either of said reference values.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
A control system for an adjustable automotive vehicle suspension unit according to claim 1 wherein said instantaneous angular rate is recalculated by said first means whenever said calculated rate does not exceed said initiation value.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
72 words
A control system for an adjustable automotive vehicle suspension unit according to claim 1 wherein said fifth means will maintain said suspension unit in an adjusted state for a predetermined adjustment period of time following any particular adjustment, and at the conclusion of said predetermined adjustment period return said suspension unit to its original state unless said excursion angle exceeds a retention reference value at the conclusion of said predetermined adjustment period.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
A control system for an adjustable automotive vehicle suspension unit according to claim 8 wherein said retention reference value employed by said fourth means is equal to said critical reference value.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
112 words
A control system for an adjustable automotive vehicle suspension unit according to claim 8 further comprising sixth means for finding an instantaneous steering handwheel angle measured from a dynamically determined steering center position and for generating a third signal in the event that said instantaneous steering angle exceeds a predetermined position reference value, with said sixth means further comprising means for transmitting said third signal to said fifth means so that said suspension unit will be maintained in said adjusted state at the conclusion of said predetermined adjustment period either in the event that said third signal is present or in the event that said excursion angle exceeds said retention reference value.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
A control system for an adjustable automotive vehicle suspension unit according to claim 8 wherein said predetermined adjustment period of time will be restarted whenever said excursion angle exceeds said critical reference value or said threshold reference value.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
127 words
A method for controlling an adjustable automotive vehicle suspension unit, comprising the steps of: calculating the instantaneous angular rate of a steering handwheel associated with said automotive vehicle; comparing said calculated angular rate with an initiation value; generating a first signal whenever said angular rate exceeds said initiation value; determining, during a predetermined time period after said first signal is generated, the excursion angle through which said handwheel is moved; comparing said excursion angle to critical and threshold reference values; generating a second signal when said excursion angle exceeds either said critical reference value at any time during said predetermined time period or said threshold reference value at the conclusion of said predetermined time period; and adjusting said adjustable suspension unit in response to said second signal.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
127 words
A method for controlling an adjustable automotive vehicle suspension unit, comprising the steps of: calculating the instantaneous angular rate of a steering handwheel associated with said automotive vehicle; comparing said calculated angular rate with an initiation value; generating a first signal whenever said angular rate exceeds said initiation value; determining, during a predetermined time period after said first signal is generated, the excursion angle through which said handwheel is moved; comparing said excursion angle to critical and threshold reference values; generating a second signal when said excursion angle exceeds either said critical reference value at any time during said predetermined time period or said threshold reference value at the conclusion of said predetermined time period; and adjusting said adjustable suspension unit in response to said second signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 12 wherein said adjustable suspension unit will be placed in a firmer setting in response to said second signal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 12 wherein said excursion angle is measured from the instantaneous position said handwheel occupied at the time said first signal was generated.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 12 wherein said predetermined time period is adjusted as a function of a forward velocity of said vehicle.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 12 wherein said critical and threshold values are dependent upon a forward velocity of said vehicle.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 12 wherein said instantaneous angular rate is recalculated whenever said handwheel is returned to the position which said handwheel occupied at the time said first signal was generated.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 12 wherein said instantaneous angular rate is recalculated whenever said calculated rate does not exceed said initiation value.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
179 words
A method for controlling an adjustable automotive vehicle suspension unit, comprising the steps of: calculating the instantaneous angular rate of a steering handwheel associated with said automotive vehicle; comparing said calculated angular rate with an initiation value; generating a first signal whenever said angular rate exceeds said initiation value; determining, during a predetermined time period after said first signal is generated, the excursion angle through which said handwheel is moved; comparing said excursion angle to a plurality of reference values; generating a second signal when said excursion angle exceeds one of said reference values; adjusting said adjustable suspension unit in response to said second signal; and maintaining said suspension unit in an adjusted state for a predetermined adjustment period of time following any particular adjustment, and at the conclusion of said predetermined adjustment period returning said suspension unit to its original state unless said excursion angle exceeds a retention reference value at the conclusion of said predetermined adjustment period or unless an instantaneous handwheel steering angle measured from a dynamically determined steering center position exceeds a position reference value.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
179 words
A method for controlling an adjustable automotive vehicle suspension unit, comprising the steps of: calculating the instantaneous angular rate of a steering handwheel associated with said automotive vehicle; comparing said calculated angular rate with an initiation value; generating a first signal whenever said angular rate exceeds said initiation value; determining, during a predetermined time period after said first signal is generated, the excursion angle through which said handwheel is moved; comparing said excursion angle to a plurality of reference values; generating a second signal when said excursion angle exceeds one of said reference values; adjusting said adjustable suspension unit in response to said second signal; and maintaining said suspension unit in an adjusted state for a predetermined adjustment period of time following any particular adjustment, and at the conclusion of said predetermined adjustment period returning said suspension unit to its original state unless said excursion angle exceeds a retention reference value at the conclusion of said predetermined adjustment period or unless an instantaneous handwheel steering angle measured from a dynamically determined steering center position exceeds a position reference value.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 19 wherein at least one of said reference values is a function of a forward velocity of said vehicle.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 19 wherein said predetermined adjustment period is restarted whenever said second signal is generated.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-07-31 | 1993-01-30 | 1993-08-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-07-31 | 1997-01-30 | 1997-08-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-07-31 | 2001-01-30 | 2001-08-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |