Patent ID: 6370458
Filing Date: 2002-04-09
Classification: B60G

Abstract:
In a method of controlling suspension dampers at the four corners of the body of a motor vehicle having a wheel coupled to each of the suspension dampers, the method comprising the steps ofdetermining a relative velocity of each of the suspension dampers and deriving from the determined relative velocities a demand force command for each of the dampers, applying each of the derived demand force commands to its respective damper only when a comparison of the direction of the demand force command with the sensed relative velocity of the damper indicates that a force corresponding to the demand force command can be effectively exerted by the damper, sensing a vehicle handling event, and responsive to the sensed vehicle handling event, deriving a body control enhancement damping command for selected ones of the suspension dampers and applying the body control enhancement damping command to the selected ones of the suspension dampers without regard for the direction of demand force for any of the suspension dampers, the improvement comprising the steps of: (a) deriving a first value from one or more measured vehicle dynamic variables associated with the sensed vehicle handling event; and (b) deriving the body control enhancement damping command from the first value modified in magnitude in response to at least one of the direction and magnitude of the sensed relative velocity of damper to which the body control enhancement damping command is to be applied.