The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 26, 1999
Filed:
Sep. 09, 1996
Martin Bieber, Redford, MI (US);
Sam Mike Mackool, Berkley, MI (US);
Douglas Scott Rhode, Farmington Hills, MI (US);
Ford Global Technologies, Inc., Dearborn, MI (US);
Abstract
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.