Data processing: vehicles – navigation – and relative location – Vehicle control – guidance – operation – or indication – Vehicle subsystem or accessory control
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-15
2001-05-15
Zanelli, Michael J. (Department: 3661)
Data processing: vehicles, navigation, and relative location
Vehicle control, guidance, operation, or indication
Vehicle subsystem or accessory control
C382S104000, C382S108000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06233510
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to methods and systems for predicting road profile for use in vehicle control, such as anti-lock braking systems and suspension systems.
Methods and devices exist today to assist the driver of a vehicle in many ways. For example, anti-lock braking systems aid the driver in stopping the vehicle in a controlled manner when braking on an unstable surface, such as wet or icy pavement. These systems monitor the wheel speed as the vehicle stops to determine if there is any wheel slippage and then controls the pressure applied to the brakes accordingly.
As another example, suspension systems assist the driver in driving smoothly over different pavement terrains. That is, suspension systems stiffen when traveling over smooth roads to minimize bouncing, yet soften when traveling over rough roads to achieve the same affect.
However, a drawback to these and other systems available on automotive vehicles, is that they respond to the road surface after the fact. That is, the systems respond initially in a pre-programmed manner until the road conditions are determined. After that, each of the systems can respond in an efficient manner according to the road condition being traveled.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A method and system for predicting the condition of a road to be travelled by a vehicle is provided. A measurement device disposed at a front of the vehicle measures a vertical elevation of a portion of the road at a predetermined distance ahead of the vehicle. A control unit is in communication with the measurement device and has control logic for predicting the condition of the road to be travelled by the vehicle based on the measured vertical elevation. The control unit is further operative to control the vehicle based on the predicted road condition.
The measurement device may be a laser device wherein, in measuring the vertical elevation of the road, transmits a signal ahead of the vehicle at a known first time, receives the signal at the vehicle at a second time, and determines a difference between the first time and the second time. A triangulation technique is then performed on the difference to determine surface rouginess of the road to be travelled by the vehicle.
Alternatively, the measurement device may be a machine vision system wherein the machine vision system receives an image of the portion of the road having varying characteristics based on the roughness of the road. The varying characteristics may be varying shades of color or varying grey-scale images.
The control unit utilizes the predicted road condition to control a suspension system that has a computer-controlled component for varying the response of the suspension system. Furthermore, a position sensor may be mounted on the front axle of the vehicle and which is in communication with the control unit for sensing a level of activity of the front axle. The control unit then controls the rear axle based on the predicted condition of the road and the activity level of the front axle.
These and other features of the present invention can be understood from the following specification and drawings.
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Laurent et al., “Road surface inspection using laser scanners adapted for high precision 3D measurements of large flat surfaces”, May 1997, pp.303-310, ISBN: 0-8186-7943-3.
Burmeister Kurt A.
Hughes Thomas
Ledesma Ragnar H.
Miller Steven R.
Platner David K.
Carlson & Gaskey & Olds
Gibson Eric M
Meritor Heavy Vehicle Technology LLC
Zanelli Michael J.
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