US5123497A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automotive apparatus and method for dynamically determining centripetal force of a vehicle
Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
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Filing: 1990-12-20
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Granted: 1992-06-23
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Expires: 2010-12-20
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method for determining the centripetal force of an automotive vehicle operating on a roadway includes a vehicle speed measuring mechanism and a steering force measuring mechanism. Information regarding vehicle speed and steering force are fed into a processor which determines the centripetal force of the vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 Wilford T. Yopp
- 👤 Sam M. Mackool
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 18:52
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60T; B60T8/00; B60T8/17; B60T8/1755; B60T8/17551; B60G; B60G17/00; B60G17/015; B60G17/016; B60G17/0162; B62; B62D; B62D6/00; B62D6/04; B60G2400/00; B60G2400/20; B60G2400/204; B60G2400/40; B60G2400/42; B60G2400/50; B60G2400/60; B60G2400/64; B60G2400/80; B60G2400/82; B60G2400/822; B60G2600/00; B60G2600/02; B60G2600/60; B60G2600/70; B60G2800/00; B60G2800/24; B60G2800/90; B60G2800/92; B60T2260/00; B60T2260/06; B60W; B60W40/00; B60W40/10; B60W40/109
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
An apparatus for determining the centripetal force of an automotive vehicle operating on a roadway, comprising; vehicle speed measuring means comprising means for producing a first signal representing the speed at which said vehicle is being operated; steering force measuring means comprising means for producing a second signal representing the steering force required to operate the steering system of said vehicle at said measured vehicle speed; and processor means for determining the centripetal force of said vehicle, with said processor means comprising means for receiving said first and second signals and means for deriving from said signals a third signal representing the magnitude of said centripetal force.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
107 words
An apparatus for determining the centripetal force of an automotive vehicle operating on a roadway, comprising; vehicle speed measuring means comprising means for producing a first signal representing the speed at which said vehicle is being operated; steering force measuring means comprising means for producing a second signal representing the steering force required to operate the steering system of said vehicle at said measured vehicle speed; and processor means for determining the centripetal force of said vehicle, with said processor means comprising means for receiving said first and second signals and means for deriving from said signals a third signal representing the magnitude of said centripetal force.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said processor means determines the centripetal force of said vehicle by matching measured vehicle speed and steering force with one of a plurality of reference pairs comprising vehicle speed and steering force values, where each of such reference pairs corresponds to a predetermined value of centripetal force.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said processor means comprises a read-only memory containing said reference pairs and said third signal values.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said processor means determines centripetal force by operating upon said first and second signals with a mathematical function contained in said processor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said vehicle speed measuring means comprises a signal generator driven by a powertrain of said vehicle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said steering force measuring means comprises a pressure transducer interposed between a steering gear for steering said road wheel and a hydraulic pump for powering said steering gear.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said steering force measuring means comprises a torque sensor for sensing torque applied to a driveshaft of a steering gear for steering said road wheel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
114 words
A vehicle control apparatus, comprising: vehicle speed measuring means for measuring the speed of said vehicle and for producing a first signal representing said speed; steering force measuring means for measuring the steering force required to operate the steering system of said vehicle at said measured vehicle speed and for producing a second signal presenting said force; processor means for determining the centripetal force of said vehicle, with said processor means comprising means for receiving said first and second signals and means for deriving from said signals a third signal representing the magnitude of said centripetal force; and emergency control means responsive to said third signal for operating a control system within said vehicle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
114 words
A vehicle control apparatus, comprising: vehicle speed measuring means for measuring the speed of said vehicle and for producing a first signal representing said speed; steering force measuring means for measuring the steering force required to operate the steering system of said vehicle at said measured vehicle speed and for producing a second signal presenting said force; processor means for determining the centripetal force of said vehicle, with said processor means comprising means for receiving said first and second signals and means for deriving from said signals a third signal representing the magnitude of said centripetal force; and emergency control means responsive to said third signal for operating a control system within said vehicle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said control system comprises means for regulating the operation of a brake system incorporated in said vehicle.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said emergency control system comprises means for warning the driver of said vehicle that centripetal force is greater than a predetermined value.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said control system comprises means for limiting the maximum speed of the vehicle.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said control system comprises means for limiting the maximum forward acceleration of the vehicle.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said control system comprises means for operating an adjustable suspension system.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said control system comprises means for controlling damping produced by said adjustable suspension system.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said control system comprises means for controlling the output of a power assist device associated with said steering system.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said means for controlling the output of a power assist device associated with said steering system comprises a valve for limiting the magnitude of the assist produced by said power assist device.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
118 words
A method for determining the centripetal force exerted on an automotive vehicle and for initiating a control system within said automotive vehicle having roadwheels, comprising the steps of: measuring the speed of said vehicle; measuring the steering force required to turn said roadwheels of said vehicle; entering said vehicle speed and said steering force into a processor means; comparing said measured vehicle speed and said measured steering force with one of a plurality of reference pairs stored in said processor means, each one of said reference pairs comprising vehicle speed and steering force values corresponding to a predetermined centripetal force value; and initiating said control system within said vehicle when said centripetal force value exceeds a predetermined value.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
118 words
A method for determining the centripetal force exerted on an automotive vehicle and for initiating a control system within said automotive vehicle having roadwheels, comprising the steps of: measuring the speed of said vehicle; measuring the steering force required to turn said roadwheels of said vehicle; entering said vehicle speed and said steering force into a processor means; comparing said measured vehicle speed and said measured steering force with one of a plurality of reference pairs stored in said processor means, each one of said reference pairs comprising vehicle speed and steering force values corresponding to a predetermined centripetal force value; and initiating said control system within said vehicle when said centripetal force value exceeds a predetermined value.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 17, wherein said control system is operative to adjust the spring rate of a suspension unit of said vehicle.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 17, wherein said control system is operative to adjust the shock valving of a suspension unit of said vehicle.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 17, wherein said control system is operative to initiate a warning signal within said vehicle.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
91 words
A method for controlling a steering assist device of a power steering system of an automotive vehicle having a pair of steerable roadwheels, comprising the steps of: measuring the sped of said vehicle; measuring the steering pressure within said steering system while turning said roadwheels of said vehicle, said pressure being measured by a pressure transducer; determining a required steering assist value based upon said measured vehicle speed and said measured steering pressure; and adjusting sad power assist device of said power steering system to meet said required steering assist value.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
91 words
A method for controlling a steering assist device of a power steering system of an automotive vehicle having a pair of steerable roadwheels, comprising the steps of: measuring the sped of said vehicle; measuring the steering pressure within said steering system while turning said roadwheels of said vehicle, said pressure being measured by a pressure transducer; determining a required steering assist value based upon said measured vehicle speed and said measured steering pressure; and adjusting sad power assist device of said power steering system to meet said required steering assist value.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-06-23 | 1995-12-23 | 1996-06-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-06-23 | 1999-12-23 | 2000-06-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-06-23 | 2003-12-23 | 2004-06-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |