Ford Motor Company Limited

Michael W Soltis

Sam M Mackool

James A Gretz

A method for calibrating an automotive suspension position sensor including the steps of placing the sensor into a position corresponding to a predetermined ride height, applying a reference signal to the sensor, measuring the output signal value from the sensor, and adjusting the output signal value by means of an automatic calibrator associated with the sensor to achieve a predetermined desired signal value. An adjustable ride height sensing system for an automotive vehicle includes a sensor interposed between the chassis of the vehicle and a roadwheel so that the electrical impedance of the sensor will be a function of vertical position of the roadwheel with respect to the chassis and means for automatically adjusting the apparent impedance of the sensor so that the output of the sensor achieves a desired range of values.

Vehicular suspension position sensor and method of calibration

A method and apparatus for determining a center position of the vehicular steering system includes a steering sensor and a control unit. A variable threshold time strategy is employed with a fixed window of operation and a movable window of operation to determine a precise center for the steering system. As an option, the control algorithm may employ both a variable theshold time and a variable size for the movable window of operation.

Method and apparatus for determining the center position of a vehicular

An apparatus for determining the center position of a steering system installed in a vehicle uses a distance based algorithm to correct the center position. The actual steering position is sampled periodically, based upon the distance traveled by the vehicle, and corrections are made according to the difference between the sampled positions and a previously assumed steering center.

Distance based method and apparatus for determining the center position

A sensor for determining the operational position of an automotive suspension including two members relatively movable with respect to one another includes an assembly with the first component movable with respect to a second component, with the first and second components being relatively movable with respect to each other as a result of the movement of the vehicle suspension. A sensor according to this invention will further include, without limitation, a signal generation device associated with said first and second sensor components for generating a plurality of non-unique digital position signals.

High resolution digital suspension position sensor for automotive vehicle

A control system for governing multiple operating mode adjustable suspension units in an automotive vehicle with an adjustment mechanism for receiving an adjustment control signal for placing the suspension units in any of the multiple adjustment modes, and a fault warning mechanism for detecting an inability of the adjustment mechanism to adjust one or more of the suspension units and for generating a fault warning signal in response to such detection. The diagnostic mechanism responsive to such fault warning signal is operatively connected with the adjustment mechanism for determining the extent which the ability to adjust the suspension units has been impaired and a mode selection mechanism operatively connected with the diagnostic mechanism for deciding into which of the multiple operating modes the suspension units should be directed based upon the determination of the diagnostic mechanism, with the mode selection mechanism further including a mechanism for generating an adjustment control signal corresponding to the operating modes and for communicating such signal to the adjustment mechanism.

Adaptive control system for operating adjustable automotive suspension

A method and apparatus for determining a center position of the vehicular steering system includes a steering sensor and a control unit. A variable sampling time strategy is employed to determine a precise center for the steering system. As an option, the control algorithm may employ both variable sampling time and a variable size for a window of operation.

An operating system for a multistable suspension unit having a plurality of predetermined operating states includes a suspension control unit which selects a preferred suspension unit operating state based upon input parameters including vehicle speed and linear acceleration and predicted lateral acceleration. The system includes a sensor for determining steering center position and steering system excursion angle and angular velocity.

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Dearborn, MI, United States of America

Michael W Soltis