Ford Motor Company Limited

Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Martin Bieber

Douglas Scott Rhode

Joseph M Raad

Ronald J Collins

Sam M Mackool

Steven J Reimers

Christopher A Tallon

Kelly H Jones

A method and apparatus for controlling continuously variable dampers in a vehicle suspension system is provided. A microcontroller receives sensor signals from the vehicle and generates heave, pitch and roll acceleration signals, heave, pitch and roll actual velocity signals, and heave, pitch and roll velocity level signals based on the received sensor signals. Heave, pitch and roll control signals are then calculated based on the acceleration, actual velocity, and velocity level signals, and the continuously variable dampers are adjusted in accordance with the calculated heave, pitch and roll control signals. A deadband schedule function is provided for adjusting the control signals in accordance with the significance of the particular ride event.

Vehicle suspension control system

A method is shown for determining an operating temperature of a continuously variable hydraulic shock absorber and compensating a control signal therefore. A solenoid 62 provides continuous variability in the damping level a shock absorber produces. The solenoid includes a coil 70 which may be used to determine the temperature of the hydraulic fluid in the shock absorber. An electronic controller 68 uses the temperature to compensate a desired damping signal to account for temperature variations. This allows the shock absorber to provide consistent damping levels for the vehicle throughout a broad temperature range, thereby improving the noise, vibration and harshness characteristics of the vehicle.

Method for compensating a control signal for a shock absorber of a motor

An apparatus calibrates a suspension control module of a vehicle to within a preselected tolerance of a predetermined ride height with reference to the vehicle coordinate system, the vehicle having at least one adjustable suspension unit interposed between the sprung and unsprung vehicle mass. The calibration is adjusted for rigid body cross-talk and for suspension system overshoot and undershoot. The apparatus includes a first device for measuring a first distance corresponding to an actual ride height of a vehicle and for generating a first signal representative thereof and a second device for measuring a second distance between the vehicle sprung and unsprung mass and for generating a second signal thereof. The apparatus also includes a processor operatively associated with the first and second measuring devices for comparing the first and second signals and calculating a deviation between the signals, the processor being operative to generate a third signal corresponding to the deviation and store this deviation in the suspension control module. A centering mechanism on the apparatus centers the vehicle over the first measuring device prior to calibration of the suspension control module.

Apparatus and method for calibrating vehicle ride height

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Redford, MI, United States of America

Martin Bieber