Patent US6076027A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6076027A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method of controlling a vehicle active tilt control system
Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
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Filing: 1998-02-03
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Granted: 2000-06-13
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Expires: 2018-02-03
Abstract
Abstract A method of controlling a vehicle active tilt control system is provided for increasing the operating efficiency and improving operator/passenger comfort associated with the operation of a motor vehicle having an active tilt control system. The tilt control system includes a stabilizer bar adjustable by a hydraulic actuator which is movable in first and second opposing directions for adjusting vehicle body roll resistance provided by the stabilizer bar, and having a pressure control valve for controlling hydraulic pressure to the actuators. The method includes the following steps: a) obtaining a lateral acceleration magnitude signal; b) comparing the lateral acceleration magnitude signal to a first lateral acceleration threshold; c) enabling the active tilt control system for the vehicle when the lateral acceleration magnitude signal exceeds the first lateral acceleration threshold; d) disabling the active tilt control system for the vehicle when the lateral acceleration magnitude signal is less than the first lateral acceleration threshold; e) comparing the lateral acceleration magnitude signal to a third lateral acceleration threshold; and f) resetting the active tilt control system for the vehicle when the lateral acceleration magnitude signal is less than the third lateral acceleration threshold continuously for at least a predetermined period of time.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph Michael Raad
- 👤 John Allen Oliver
- 👤 Douglas Scott Rhode
- 👤 Russell Lee Norton
- 👤 Steven A. Hermann
- 👤 Jon Roland Watson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 20:50
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60G; B60G17/00; B60G17/015; B60G17/016; B60G17/0162; B60G2400/00; B60G2400/10; B60G2400/104; B60G2400/20; B60G2400/204
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
A method of controlling a vehicle active tilt control system having a stabilizer bar adjustable by a hydraulic actuator which is movable in first and second opposing directions for adjusting vehicle body roll resistance provided by the stabilizer bar, and having a pressure control valve for controlling hydraulic pressure to the actuator, the method comprising: obtaining a lateral acceleration magnitude signal; comparing said lateral acceleration magnitude signal to a first lateral acceleration threshold; enabling the active tilt control system for the vehicle when said lateral acceleration magnitude signal exceeds said first lateral acceleration threshold; disabling the active tilt control system for the vehicle when said lateral acceleration magnitude signal is less than said first lateral acceleration threshold; comparing said lateral acceleration magnitude signal to a third lateral acceleration threshold; and resetting the active tilt control system for the vehicle when said lateral acceleration magnitude signal is less than said third lateral acceleration threshold continuously for at least a predetermined period of time.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
162 words
A method of controlling a vehicle active tilt control system having a stabilizer bar adjustable by a hydraulic actuator which is movable in first and second opposing directions for adjusting vehicle body roll resistance provided by the stabilizer bar, and having a pressure control valve for controlling hydraulic pressure to the actuator, the method comprising: obtaining a lateral acceleration magnitude signal; comparing said lateral acceleration magnitude signal to a first lateral acceleration threshold; enabling the active tilt control system for the vehicle when said lateral acceleration magnitude signal exceeds said first lateral acceleration threshold; disabling the active tilt control system for the vehicle when said lateral acceleration magnitude signal is less than said first lateral acceleration threshold; comparing said lateral acceleration magnitude signal to a third lateral acceleration threshold; and resetting the active tilt control system for the vehicle when said lateral acceleration magnitude signal is less than said third lateral acceleration threshold continuously for at least a predetermined period of time.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 1, further comprises: obtaining a vehicle speed signal; comparing said vehicle speed signal against a first vehicle speed threshold; and enabling the active tilt control system for the vehicle when said vehicle speed signal exceeds said first vehicle speed threshold.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 2, wherein the active tilt control system for the vehicle is enabled when both said lateral acceleration magnitude signal exceeds said first lateral acceleration threshold and said vehicle speed signal exceeds said first vehicle speed threshold.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 2, further comprises: comparing said vehicle speed signal against a second vehicle speed threshold; and resetting the active tilt control system for the vehicle when said vehicle speed signal is less than said second vehicle speed threshold.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
67 words
The method of claim 1, further comprises: comparing said lateral acceleration magnitude signal to a second lateral acceleration threshold while the active tilt control system is enabled; and disregarding said disable command based upon said lateral acceleration magnitude signal being less than said first lateral acceleration threshold when said lateral acceleration magnitude signal exceeds a second lateral acceleration threshold until the active tilt control system is reset.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 1, further comprises generating a pressure control signal using a first relationship and generating said pressure control signal using a second relationship after said lateral acceleration magnitude signal exceeds a second lateral acceleration threshold.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
202 words
A method of controlling a vehicle active tilt control system having a stabilizer bar adjustable by a hydraulic actuator which is movable in first and second opposing directions for adjusting vehicle body roll resistance provided by the stabilizer bar, and having a pressure control valve for controlling hydraulic pressure to the actuator, the method comprising: obtaining a vehicle speed signal; obtaining lateral acceleration magnitude signal; comparing said lateral acceleration magnitude signal to a first lateral acceleration threshold; comparing said vehicle speed signal against a first vehicle speed threshold; enabling the active tilt control system for the vehicle when said lateral acceleration magnitude signal exceeds said first lateral acceleration threshold; enabling the active tilt control system for the vehicle when said vehicle speed signal exceeds said first vehicle speed threshold; generating a disable command to disable the active tilt control system for the vehicle when said lateral acceleration magnitude signal is less than said first lateral acceleration threshold; comparing said lateral acceleration magnitude signal to a third lateral acceleration threshold; and resetting the active tilt control system for the vehicle when said lateral acceleration magnitude signal is less than said third lateral acceleration threshold continuously for at least a predetermined period of time.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
202 words
A method of controlling a vehicle active tilt control system having a stabilizer bar adjustable by a hydraulic actuator which is movable in first and second opposing directions for adjusting vehicle body roll resistance provided by the stabilizer bar, and having a pressure control valve for controlling hydraulic pressure to the actuator, the method comprising: obtaining a vehicle speed signal; obtaining lateral acceleration magnitude signal; comparing said lateral acceleration magnitude signal to a first lateral acceleration threshold; comparing said vehicle speed signal against a first vehicle speed threshold; enabling the active tilt control system for the vehicle when said lateral acceleration magnitude signal exceeds said first lateral acceleration threshold; enabling the active tilt control system for the vehicle when said vehicle speed signal exceeds said first vehicle speed threshold; generating a disable command to disable the active tilt control system for the vehicle when said lateral acceleration magnitude signal is less than said first lateral acceleration threshold; comparing said lateral acceleration magnitude signal to a third lateral acceleration threshold; and resetting the active tilt control system for the vehicle when said lateral acceleration magnitude signal is less than said third lateral acceleration threshold continuously for at least a predetermined period of time.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 7, wherein the active tilt control system for the vehicle is enabled when both said lateral acceleration magnitude signal exceeds said first lateral acceleration threshold and said vehicle speed signal exceeds said first vehicle speed threshold.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 7, further comprises: comparing said vehicle speed signal against a second vehicle speed threshold; and resetting the active tilt control system for the vehicle when said vehicle speed signal is less than said second vehicle speed threshold.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
67 words
The method of claim 7, further comprises: comparing said lateral acceleration magnitude signal to a second lateral acceleration threshold while the active tilt control system is enabled; and disregarding said disable command based upon said lateral acceleration magnitude signal being less than said first lateral acceleration threshold when said lateral acceleration magnitude signal exceeds a second lateral acceleration threshold until the active tilt control system is reset.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 10, further comprises generating a pressure control signal using a first relationship and generating said pressure control signal using a second relationship after said lateral acceleration magnitude signal exceeds said second lateral acceleration threshold.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
258 words
A method of controlling a vehicle active tilt control system having front and rear stabilizer bars adjustable by front and rear hydraulic actuators which are movable in first and second opposing directions for adjusting vehicle body roll resistance provided by the stabilizer bars, and having a pressure control valve for controlling hydraulic pressure to the actuators, the method comprising: obtaining a vehicle speed signal; obtaining lateral acceleration magnitude signal; comparing said lateral acceleration magnitude signal to a first lateral acceleration threshold; comparing said vehicle speed signal against a first vehicle speed threshold; enabling the active tilt control system for the vehicle when both said lateral acceleration magnitude signal exceeds said first lateral acceleration threshold and said vehicle speed signal exceeds said first vehicle speed threshold; generating a disable command to disable the active tilt control system for the vehicle when said lateral acceleration magnitude signal is less than said first lateral acceleration threshold; comparing said lateral acceleration magnitude signal to a second lateral acceleration threshold while the active tilt control system is enabled; and disregarding said disable command based upon said lateral acceleration magnitude signal being less than said first lateral acceleration threshold when said lateral acceleration magnitude signal exceeds said second lateral acceleration threshold until the active tilt control system is reset; comparing said lateral acceleration magnitude signal to a third lateral acceleration threshold; and resetting the active tilt control system for the vehicle when said lateral acceleration magnitude signal is less than said third lateral acceleration threshold continuously for at least a predetermined period of time.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
258 words
A method of controlling a vehicle active tilt control system having front and rear stabilizer bars adjustable by front and rear hydraulic actuators which are movable in first and second opposing directions for adjusting vehicle body roll resistance provided by the stabilizer bars, and having a pressure control valve for controlling hydraulic pressure to the actuators, the method comprising: obtaining a vehicle speed signal; obtaining lateral acceleration magnitude signal; comparing said lateral acceleration magnitude signal to a first lateral acceleration threshold; comparing said vehicle speed signal against a first vehicle speed threshold; enabling the active tilt control system for the vehicle when both said lateral acceleration magnitude signal exceeds said first lateral acceleration threshold and said vehicle speed signal exceeds said first vehicle speed threshold; generating a disable command to disable the active tilt control system for the vehicle when said lateral acceleration magnitude signal is less than said first lateral acceleration threshold; comparing said lateral acceleration magnitude signal to a second lateral acceleration threshold while the active tilt control system is enabled; and disregarding said disable command based upon said lateral acceleration magnitude signal being less than said first lateral acceleration threshold when said lateral acceleration magnitude signal exceeds said second lateral acceleration threshold until the active tilt control system is reset; comparing said lateral acceleration magnitude signal to a third lateral acceleration threshold; and resetting the active tilt control system for the vehicle when said lateral acceleration magnitude signal is less than said third lateral acceleration threshold continuously for at least a predetermined period of time.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 12, further comprises: comparing said vehicle speed signal against a second vehicle speed threshold; and resetting the active tilt control system for the vehicle when said vehicle speed signal is less than said second vehicle speed threshold.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 12, further comprises generating a pressure control signal using a first relationship and generating said pressure control signal using a second relationship after said lateral acceleration magnitude signal exceeds said second lateral acceleration threshold.
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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) | 2003-06-13 | 2003-12-13 | 2004-06-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-06-13 | 2007-12-13 | 2008-06-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-06-13 | 2011-12-13 | 2012-06-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |