Adaptive Active Suspension System With Road Preview

Abstract

A method for controlling an active suspension includes steps of determining a dimension of a road abnormality ahead of the vehicle and comparing the dimension with a vehicle dimension. Responsive to the comparison, the abnormality is classified as one type of a plurality of predetermined types. Responsive to a height dimension of the abnormality, the abnormality is further classified as having one of a small, medium, or large severity. The suspension is controlled responsive to the type and severity.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]The embodiments of the present invention relate to vehicle suspension control systems and, more specifically, to a vehicle suspension control system adaptable to predicted and actual abnormal road conditions.[0002]Passenger vehicles are designed to drive on a variety of road surfaces and geometric conditions. Occasionally, a vehicle encounters exceptional (abnormal) road conditions, such as debris, severe potholes, bumps and the like. Adaptive or active suspension systems enable selective adjustment of the suspension characteristics such as damping and stiffness, responsive to the contact between the vehicle wheels and the abnormal road feature. This helps improve the vehicle's ride comfort, handling, and safety.[0003]However, in order for conventional active suspensions to operate the actuatable elements of the suspension system responsive to the abnormal road feature, the vehicle wheels must contact the road feature. Due to the need to interact wit...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent is about a system that can detect abnormal road conditions and predict their severity. It then operates actuatable elements of the suspension system to mitigate the effects of the abnormal condition for the length of time needed. The technical effect is that the system can enhance the efficiency of the suspension control system by only operating the actuatable elements for the duration necessary to minimize the impact of the abnormal road condition on the vehicle's performance.

Problems solved by technology

Occasionally, a vehicle encounters exceptional (abnormal) road conditions, such as debris, severe potholes, bumps and the like.

Due to the need to interact with the abnormal road feature prior to operating the actuatable suspension elements, the system response may not be as timely and effective as it might otherwise be, because of factors such as the dynamic response times of the system as a whole and the individual system elements, and the speed of the vehicle.

For example, providing a vehicle with a relatively higher ground clearance reduces its susceptibility to damage due to many bumps in the road or debris located on the road surface.

However, a vehicle with higher ground clearance may have a relatively greater fuel consumption than a vehicle with a smaller ground clearance.

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