Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle semi-active suspension system comprising at least one suspension, providing for: detecting vehicle dynamic quantities during the vehicle ride; using the detected dynamic quantities, determining an index of ride comfort and an index of roadholding; applying a weight factor to the index of ride comfort and to the index of roadholding and, based on a Sky Hook control model, determining a target damping force characteristics for the at least one suspension of the suspension system; controlling the at least one suspension to put the respective damping force characteristics in accordance with the calculated target damping force characteristics. The weight factor is calculated dynamically during the vehicle ride, by means of a fuzzy calculation on the detected vehicle dynamic quantities.

Abstract: A control system for optimizing the performance of a vehicle suspension system by controlling the damping factor of one or more shock absorbers is described. In one embodiment, the control system uses a fuzzy neural network. A teaching signal for the fuzzy neural network is generated using road signal data and a mathematical model of the vehicle suspension system. The teaching signal is used to develop a knowledge base for the fuzzy neural network. In one embodiment, inputs to the fuzzy neural network include damper velocities, heave acceleration, pitch acceleration, and roll acceleration. In one embodiment, the heave acceleration signal from the teaching signal is filtered to develop inputs for the fuzzy neural network, thereby reducing the number of sensors. In one embodiment, a Fourier transform analysis of the heave acceleration signal is provided to the fuzzy neural network.

Abstract: A circuit implementing a non-integer order dynamic system includes a neural network that receives at least one input signal and generates therefrom at least one output signal. The input and output signals are related to each by a non-integer order integro-differential relationship through the coefficients of the neural network. A plurality of such circuits, implementing respective non-integer order controllers can be interconnected in an arrangement wherein any of the integral or differential blocks included in one of these circuits generates a signal which is fed to any of the integral or differential blocks of another circuit in the system.

Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle semi-active suspension system comprising at least one suspension, providing for: detecting vehicle dynamic quantities during the vehicle ride; using the detected dynamic quantities, determining an index of ride comfort and an index of roadholding; applying a weight factor to the index of ride comfort and to the index of roadholding and, based on a Sky Hook control model, determining a target damping force characteristics for the at least one suspension of the suspension system; controlling the at least one suspension to put the respective damping force characteristics in accordance with the calculated target damping force characteristics. The weight factor is calculated dynamically during the vehicle ride, by means of a fuzzy calculation on the detected vehicle dynamic quantities.

Abstract: A circuit implementing a non-integer order dynamic system includes a neural network that receives at least one input signal and generates therefrom at least one output signal. The input and output signals are related to each by a non-integer order integro-differential relationship through the coefficients of the neural network. A plurality of such circuits, implementing respective non-integer order controllers can be interconnected in an arrangement wherein any of the integral or differential blocks included in one of these circuits generates a signal which is fed to any of the integral or differential blocks of another circuit in the system.

Abstract: A control device for a vehicle having at least one semiactive suspension arranged between a vehicle body and a wheel and having a damping coefficient that can be varied in a controlled way by an actuator governed by a control device, the control device including an accelerometric sensor generating a vehicle body acceleration signal; a potentiometer generating a suspension position signal; a signal conditioning unit for the calculation of the vehicle body speed and the damping speed; a fuzzy control unit that calculates the subsequent position of the actuator on the basis of the vehicle body speed and of the damping speed; and a driving unit which generates a control signal for the actuator.