Abstract: A control system (18) and method for an automotive vehicle (10) is provided in which various dynamic control system sensors are monitored and used to activate a dynamic control system which is indicative of a vehicle instability. Vehicle instability may also be determined using an energy threshold. Once vehicle instability is determined, a roll trend is determined in response thereto. The roll trend may use an accumulative directional indicator to determine whether the trend of the vehicle is toward rolling over. If the vehicle is tending to roll over, a safety device such as an airbag may be deployed.

Abstract: A vehicle stability control system is provided, which includes an electrical triggering device and a one-way mechanism. The electrical triggering device is adapted to be electrically coupled to a signal generating device. The one-way mechanism includes an electromechanical actuator. The one-way mechanism is adapted to be mechanically coupled to a movable unsprung mass portion and to a sprung mass portion of a vehicle. The triggering device is adapted to activate the electro mechanical actuator based, at least in part, on an output signal received from the signal generating device. The one-way mechanism is adapted to restrict a movement of the unsprung mass portion away from the sprung mass portion when the electromechanical actuator is activated. The system does not restrict the movement of the unsprung mass portion relative to the sprung mass portion when the electromechanical actuator is not activated.

Abstract: In a method for influencing the roll behavior of a motor vehicle having at least one axle with wheels at opposite sides of the motor vehicle, vehicle body movements caused by transverse forces acting at the center of gravity are reduced in that for each vehicle axle wheel, a stabilizer with a hydraulic actuator generating a controllable force is provided and the stabilizer force is transmitted to the respective wheels and vehicle body for counteracting the vehicle body roll movements so as to improve the roll behavior of the vehicle with respect to accuracy and reaction speed.

Abstract: A vehicle stability control system is provided, which includes a movable tongue member and a ratchet mechanism. The movable tongue member is adapted to move between a first tongue position and a second tongue position. The ratchet mechanism is adapted to be mechanically coupled to a movable unsprung mass portion and to a sprung mass portion of a vehicle when the vehicle stability control system is operably installed on the vehicle. The ratchet mechanism comprising a ratchet tooth, such that the ratchet mechanism is adapted to restrict a movement of the unsprung mass portion away from the sprung mass portion when the tongue member is moved toward the second tongue position and into the ratchet tooth, and wherein the tongue member does not restrict the movement of the unsprung mass portion relative to the sprung mass portion when the tongue member is in the first tongue position.

Abstract: A braking and drive force control apparatus for a vehicle whose wheels are separately driven by electric motors. A controller calculates a drive force or a braking force to be applied to each wheel in accordance with the average sprung displacement and average sprung velocity of the vehicle body which are calculated based on sensed sprung acceleration. By adding the calculated drive force or braking force to the drive force at the time of running, at the time of bouncing of the vehicle body, a downwards force can be generated in the vehicle body which is rising, and an upwards force can be generated in the vehicle body which is descending. By applying an upwards or downwards force to each wheel so as to permit upwards and downwards vibration of the wheels, variations in the ground contact load can be suppressed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for detecting a vehicle rollover or dangerous situations that may precede a rollover of a vehicle.

Abstract: A roll stability control system for a pneumatically operated vehicle brake system is implemented using simpler ABS hardware rather than more complex EBS hardware. For each brake chamber or channel, two 3/2 solenoid controlled valves are used. An ECU is operative to control the solenoids. The ECU is preferably operative to provide a selected delivery pressure to the brake chamber without measurement of delivery pressure to the brake chamber. Supply air is provided at a known pressure to a first solenoid controlled valve that is associated with the brake chamber; the amount of time of energization and de-energization of the first valve that is needed to provide an output therefrom of a given pressure, is calculated; and the first valve is energized and de-energized for the calculated times, thereby to cause a low-pressure test pulse to be provided to the brake chamber.

Abstract: Impending rollover events are detected by recognizing a plow phase increase in lateral acceleration, coupled with a significant trip phase roll rate. The plow phase increase is recognized by modeling a typical soil trip lateral acceleration characteristic and computing a cross-correlation between the measured lateral acceleration and the modeled acceleration. The correlation is compared to a threshold that varies with the measured roll rate to reliably discriminate rollover events from near-rollover events while enabling timely deployment of suitable occupant restraints.

Abstract: An automobile rollover detection system comprising a control module to receive a first set and a second set of signals, to determine a first threshold in response to the first set of signals, to determine a second threshold in response to the second set of signals, to provide a first signal in response to the first threshold, to provide a second signal in response to the second threshold, and to provide a control signal in response to the first and second signals. The control signal may activate an occupant restraint system in response to the detection of an automobile rollover event. Other embodiments are also claimed and described.

Abstract: In a method for dynamically adjusting a vehicle component, a characteristic variable which influences the behavior of the vehicle component can be varied automatically or manually while traveling. A state variable which characterizes the behavior of the driver is first determined directly after a change in the characteristic variable, and the determined state variable is then compared with a setpoint variable. The change in the characteristic variable of the vehicle component is at least partially reversed if the state variable exceeds the setpoint variable.

Abstract: A failsafe actuator for returning an actuator driven element to a failsafe position in case of a failure condition is provided. The failsafe actuator may include mechanical or electrical means to provide a failsafe function. Such a failsafe actuator may be used in a stabilizer bar system of a vehicle to ensure that at least one stabilizer bar is returned to a failsafe or engaged condition should a failure condition occur when the stabilizer bar is disengaged. Various failure conditions can include loss of electrical power to the actuator or some internal actuator failures.

Abstract: A method of blocking the unintended rolling of a vehicle involves detecting any actual vehicle motion, detecting a selected transmission gear, determining whether an unintended rolling of the vehicle is occurring or is expected to occur based on the vehicle motion and the selected gear, and automatically activating a roll-blocking device such as a brake if the unintended rolling is actually occurring or expected to occur. Further operating parameters or conditions of the vehicle and a slope angle of the terrain on which the vehicle is located can additionally be taken into account in determining whether the unintended rolling is occurring or expected to occur. A system for this includes a roll-blocking device, a driving state determination arrangement, a gear recognition arrangement, and a control unit connected to the above.

Abstract: A method of densensitizing includes determining a relative roll angle, determining when the vehicle is in a transitional maneuver, and when the vehicle is in a transitional maneuver, setting a roll signal for control to the relative roll angle, reducing control effort and controlling a safety system (38) correspondingly.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for protecting against rollover in a vehicle. The method and apparatus determine a rollover tendency of the vehicle based on the lateral acceleration, the vehicle speed and the change rate of the steering angle. A database of empiric data is preferably provided that includes values for a critical change rate of the steering angle corresponding to specific lateral accelerations in specific vehicle speeds. A critical change rate of the steering angle is determined based on the sensed lateral acceleration and vehicle speed.

Abstract: at least two lateral acceleration sensors (21) (22) located at different positions of a vehicle body (100) to detect lateral acceleration acting on the vehicle body; and a calculator (50) to separate and calculate actual lateral acceleration (GL) acting on the vehicle body by a centrifugal force, and roll angular acceleration (?) acting on the vehicle body around the roll center, based upon a distance (La, Lb) from a roll center of the vehicle body to each of the sensors, an intersection angle (?a, ?b) of each line connecting each of the sensors and the roll center, and outputs (GLa, GLb) of the sensors are provided.

Abstract: A failsafe actuator for returning an actuator driven element to a failsafe position in case of a failure condition is provided. The failsafe actuator may include mechanical or electrical means to provide a failsafe function. Such a failsafe actuator may be used in a stabilizer bar system of a vehicle to ensure that at least one stabilizer bar is returned to a failsafe or engaged condition should a failure condition occur when the stabilizer bar is disengaged. Various failure conditions can include loss of electrical power to the actuator or some internal actuator failures.

Abstract: A vehicle stability control system is provided, which includes a movable tongue member and a ratchet mechanism. The movable tongue member is adapted to move between a first tongue position and a second tongue position. The ratchet mechanism is adapted to be mechanically coupled to a movable unsprung mass portion and to a sprung mass portion of a vehicle when the vehicle stability control system is operably installed on the vehicle. The ratchet mechanism comprising a ratchet tooth, such that the ratchet mechanism, is adapted to restrict a movement of the unsprung mass portion away from the sprung mass portion when the tongue member is moved toward the second tongue position and into the ratchet tooth, and wherein the tongue member does not restrict the movement of the unsprung mass portion relative to the sprung mass portion when the tongue member is in the first tongue position.

Abstract: A vehicle stability control system is provided, which includes a movable tongue member and a ratchet mechanism. The movable tongue member is adapted to move between a first tongue position and a second tongue position. The ratchet mechanism is adapted to be mechanically coupled to a movable unsprung mass portion and to a sprung mass portion of a vehicle when the vehicle stability control system is operably installed on the vehicle. The ratchet mechanism comprising a ratchet tooth, such that the ratchet mechanism, is adapted to restrict a movement of the unsprung mass portion away from the sprung mass portion when the tongue member is moved toward the second tongue position and into the ratchet tooth, and wherein the tongue member does not restrict the movement of the unsprung mass portion relative to the sprung mass portion when the tongue member is in the first tongue position.

Abstract: In a rollover judging device for a vehicle, an acceleration differential value of an acceleration of a vehicle in a lateral direction is calculated. And a roll angle of the vehicle is calculated from a roll rate. Then, the acceleration differential value is compared with a predetermined value corresponding to respective roll angles, to judge a trip-type rollover of the vehicle.

Abstract: A reconfigurable rollover event detection methodology utilizes an existing body of vehicle sensor data. A number of different algorithms or look-up modules develop rollover detection outputs based on different sets of sensor data, and a meta-algorithm combines the various rollover detection outputs to form a single rollover detection output. The number of individual rollover detection outputs is configurable depending on the extent of the available sensor data in a given vehicle and changes in sensor availability that occur due to sensor and communication failures.

Abstract: A rollover detection apparatus and method are provided for anticipating a potential vehicle rollover event. The apparatus includes an input for receiving a plurality of input signals including sensed parameters of the vehicle. A first memory buffer stores data representative of one or more predetermined driving scenarios that represent possible rollover scenarios. A second memory buffer stores data representative of a history of recent conditions of the vehicle based on the plurality of sensed vehicle parameters. The apparatus further includes a processor for comparing the data representative of a history of recent driving events to the data representative of one or more predetermined driving scenarios. The processor further determines a possible rollover event of the vehicle based on the comparison and generates an output signal indicative thereof.

Abstract: A system (18) for controlling a safety system (44) of an automotive vehicle (10) includes a longitudinal acceleration sensor (36), a vehicle speed sensor (20), a lateral acceleration sensor (32), a yaw rate sensor, and a controller (26). The controller (26) determines a reference pitch in response to the longitudinal acceleration signal and the vehicle speed signal and a reference roll angle in response to the yaw rate signal, the wheel speed signal and the lateral acceleration signal. The controller (26) determines a roll stability index and a pitch stability index. The controller (26) determines an adjusted pitch angle in response to the reference pitch angle and the pitch stability index and an adjusted roll angle in response to the reference roll angle and the roll stability index. The controller (26) controls the safety system (44) in response to the adjusted roll angle and the adjusted pitch angle.

Abstract: A roll stability control system for a pneumatically operated vehicle brake system is implemented using simpler ABS hardware rather than more complex EBS hardware. For each brake chamber or channel, two 3/2 solenoid controlled valves are used. An ECU is operative to control the solenoids. The ECU is preferably operative to provide a selected delivery pressure to the brake chamber without measurement of delivery pressure to the brake chamber. Supply air is provided at a known pressure to a first solenoid controlled valve that is associated with the brake chamber; the amount of time of energization and de-energization of the first valve that is needed to provide an output therefrom of a given pressure, is calculated; and the first valve is energized and de-energized for the calculated times, thereby to cause a low-pressure test pulse to be provided to the brake chamber.

Abstract: The inventive vehicle behavior control device employs a novel control strategy, suppressing deterioration of a vehicle behavior which would be induced during control processes, and being useful especially for correcting or inhibiting excessive deterioration of a vehicle behavior such as when a risk of rolling-over is detected. The device firstly judges if a possibility of rolling-over of the vehicle is high and calculates a target braking control amount for reducing the possibility of rolling-over in accordance with the result of the judgment of a possibility of rolling-over of the vehicle, where the target control amount when the possibility of rolling-over is high is set higher than when the possibility is low. Then, under control of the inventive control device, wheel braking force is controlled based upon the target braking control amount.

Abstract: A vehicle safety system (20) includes a controller (24) that verifies the plausibility of a roll angle indication obtained by processing a roll angular rate sensor (26) output. The controller (24) determines whether an acceleration value corresponding to the roll angle indication is within an expected range. In a disclosed example, the controller (24) utilizes a vertical acceleration value and a first expected range and a lateral acceleration value and a second expected range. When both of the acceleration values are outside of the respective expected range, the controller determines that the roll angle indication is invalid.

Abstract: A method of controlling the roll stiffness and roll moment distribution of a vehicle suspension system of a vehicle, the vehicle suspension system including front and rear vehicle support means for supporting the vehicle and any load carried by the vehicle, and at least one roll moment reaction means for providing a variable roll stiffness for the vehicle suspension system;

Abstract: (57) A roll control system (20) for installation between axially aligned wheels of a motor vehicle, the roll control system comprising a torsion bar (22); a damper (24) attached to one end (28) of the torsion bar and attachable to one of the wheels; and attachment means (25) attached to the other end (29) of the torsion bar and attachable to the other wheel; wherein the damper comprises an axially extending cylindrical housing (52); a piston (34) slidably mounted inside the housing; a piston rod (58) connected to the piston, extending out of one end (55) of the housing, and movable in an axial direction relative to the housing; a floating piston (35) slidably mounted in the housing between the piston and the other end of the housing; a compensation chamber (37) between the floating piston and the other end (54) of the housing containing a first pressurised fluid; a compression chamber (30) between the floating piston and the piston containing a second pressurised fluid; a rebound chamber (32) between the pist

Abstract: A method and system for classifying vehicle conditions. Lateral acceleration information, vertical acceleration information, and roll angle information is acquired and the roll angle information is used for compensating the acceleration information for the effects of gravity. The compensated acceleration information is compared with one or more thresholds to change calibrateable counter values and additional threshold comparisons are used to determine the vehicle condition or rollover type.

Abstract: A failsafe actuator for returning an actuator driven element to a failsafe position in case of a failure condition is provided. The failsafe actuator may include mechanical or electrical means to provide a failsafe function. Such a failsafe actuator may be used in a stabilizer bar system of a vehicle to ensure that at least one stabilizer bar is returned to a failsafe or engaged condition should a failure condition occur when the stabilizer bar is disengaged. Various failure conditions can include loss of electrical power to the actuator or some internal actuator failures.

Abstract: A control system (24) for controlling a safety system (40) of an automotive vehicle includes a plurality of wheel speed sensors (30) generating a plurality of wheel velocity signals, a steering angle sensor (39) generating a steering actuator angle signal, a yaw rate sensor (28) generating a yaw rate signal, a longitudinal acceleration sensor (32) generating a longitudinal acceleration signal and a pitch angle generator generating a pitch angle signal and a controller (26). The controller (26) generates a longitudinal vehicle velocity in response to the plurality of wheel speed signals, the steering angle signal, the yaw rate signal, the lateral acceleration signal and the pitch rate signal. The controller (26) may determine a slip-related longitudinal velocity and a non-slip longitudinal velocity as intermediate steps.

Abstract: A control system (24) for controlling a safety system (40) of an automotive vehicle includes a plurality of wheel speed sensors (30) generating a plurality of wheel velocity signals, a steering angle sensor (39) generating a steering actuator angle signal, a yaw rate sensor (28) generating a yaw rate signal, a lateral acceleration sensor (32) generating a lateral acceleration signal and a controller (26). The controller (26) generates a final reference vehicle velocity in response to the plurality of wheel speed signals, the steering angle signal, the yaw rate signal and the lateral acceleration signal. The controller (26) controls the safety system in response to the final reference vehicle velocity.

Abstract: A roll control system (16) for an automotive vehicle (10) is used to actively detect if one of the plurality of the driven wheels (12) is lifted. The system generates a pressure request to determine if the wheel has lifted. By comparing the change in wheel speed of a driven wheel to a change in wheel speed threshold the wheel lift status can be determined. The wheel speed change threshold may be dependent upon various vehicle operating conditions such as powertrain torque, braking torque and/or longitudinal force on the vehicle.

Abstract: A roll control system for a motor vehicle comprising a torsion bar (16); a first hydraulic actuator (12) connected to one end (20) of the torsion bar and connectable to an axle (34) of the vehicle; a second hydraulic actuator (14) connected to the other end (28) of the torsion bar and connectable to the axle of the vehicle; a hydraulic control system (62) connected to the hydraulic actuators and including a source of fluid pressure (66), a fluid reservoir (68), at least one supply valve (74,76), and a pressure control valve (70); and an electrical control system (64) controlling the hydraulic system dependent on sensed vehicle conditions; wherein each hydraulic actuator comprises a rebound chamber (42, 52) and a compression chamber (40, 50) separated by a piston (38, 48), and a piston rod (18, 26) attached to the piston and extending through and out of the rebound chamber; wherein, during straight line motion of the vehicle, the electrical control system actuates the supply valve or valves to isolate the rebo

Abstract: An anti-roll suspension for a vehicle chassis is disclosed having laterally spaced wheels, the suspension comprises an axle assembly for rotatably mounting each of a pair of laterally spaced wheels, a spring assembly and a lower control arm supporting the chassis on each of the axle assemblies, a moveable lever connected between the lower control arm and the suspension system being responsive to a lateral force on said chassis to shift the chassis laterally to the up force side of the suspension and to impose a vertical force on the down force side of the chassis so that the anti-roll linkage simultaneously lift the down force side of the chassis and lowers the up force side of the chassis.

Abstract: In vehicular suspension rigidity controlling apparatus and method, a plurality of suspensions intervened between a sprung mass of a vehicle body and an unsprung mass of a corresponding road wheel, a suspension rigidity adjusting section is installed to be enabled to adjust a rigidity of each suspension, a driving state of the vehicle is detected, a predictive determination is made whether the vehicular driving state is a state in which there is a possibility that the vehicle is rolled over from the detected driving state of the vehicle, and the rigidity of at least one of the suspensions is controllably adjusted in a direction to decrease a potential energy of the sprung mass of the vehicle when predictively determining that the vehicular driving state is the state that there is the possibility that the vehicle is rolled over.

Abstract: A stability control system (24) for an automotive vehicle as includes a plurality of sensors (28-37) sensing the dynamic conditions of the vehicle to determine imminent rollover. A controller (26) coupled to an active suspension (49) controls a restoring torque in response to the rollover signal by controlling the active suspension.

Abstract: A rolling control apparatus and method for controlling rolling of a vehicle controls braking force applied to at least one wheel of the vehicle. The apparatus and method set a target roll angle of the vehicle based on a rolling state of the vehicle, calculate a total control quantity for achieving the target roll angle, based on a running condition of the vehicle, and control the braking force applied to each wheel of the vehicle, based on the total control quantity.

Abstract: A vehicle air suspension system includes a control unit 32 which is arranged to produce a running measure of the level of cross articulation of the two axles 18, 20 and, if it exceeds a certain level indicating that the vehicle is on rough terrain, to open respective interconnections 34, 36 between the suspension units 24 on opposite ends of each axle so as to reduce the resistance to that articulation. The interconnections are arranged to close when the vehicle speed increases so as to provide roll control.

Abstract: In vehicular suspension rigidity controlling apparatus and method, a plurality of suspensions intervened between a sprung mass of a vehicle body and an unsprung mass of a corresponding road wheel, a suspension rigidity adjusting section is installed to be enabled to adjust a rigidity of each suspension, a driving state of the vehicle is detected, a predictive determination is made whether the vehicular driving state is a state in which there is a possibility that the vehicle is rolled over from the detected driving state of the vehicle, and the rigidity of at least one of the suspensions is controllably adjusted in a direction to decrease a potential energy of the sprung mass of the vehicle when predictively determining that the vehicular driving state is the state that there is the possibility that the vehicle is rolled over.

Abstract: A method for operating a motor vehicle with a chassis having a suspension device and a damping device according to which, for greater safety, the suspension and/or damping device is stiffened and/or blocked at least for individual wheels when an acceleration signal is applied. The invention also relates to a device with a construction for carrying out the method. The damping device is configured by a hydraulic shock-absorber for each wheel of the motor and at least one shock-absorber can be hydraulically stiffened or blocked via electronically controlled valves. The valve can be controlled by means of a control device connected to at least one acceleration sensor.

Abstract: A device for stabilizing a vehicle is described. For this purpose, the device includes first determination device with which at least two vehicle motion quantities describing the vehicle motion, in particular in the direction transverse to the vehicle, are determined. Furthermore, the device includes second determination device with which a characteristic quantity is determined for each of the vehicle motion quantities. The second determination includes an adjustment device with the help of which the variation over time of the characteristic quantities is adjusted to the vehicle's behavior. In addition, the device device includes a control device with which intervention quantities are determined at least as a function of the vehicle motion quantities and the characteristic quantities, which are supplied to an actuator system for performing at least brake interventions and/or engine interventions with which the vehicle is stabilized.

Abstract: A vehicle roll control system uses two accelerometers (38, 40) on the vehicle to detect body roll and then filters out higher frequency roll movements as indicative of a rough road surface. The system also monitors vehicle speed, and increases roll stiffness in response to measured increase in vehicle speed, but decreases roll stiffness in response to detected rough road surfaces.

Abstract: A motor vehicle has a body supported on a front pair of wheels and a rear pair of wheels with front suspension apparatus providing controllable vertical wheel constraint and roll stiffness and a rear pair of wheels with rear suspension apparatus providing controllable vertical wheel constraint and rear roll stiffness. Responsive to a commanded vehicle acceleration or braking, the driven wheel (acceleration) or front (braking) suspension apparatus is briefly altered to provide optimal tire patch traction for the one of the pair of wheels. The alteration may be further responsive to vehicle speed and/or lateral acceleration. The controllable part of the suspension apparatus may be dampers, springs or anti-sway apparatus such as torsion bars. If anti-sway apparatus, the front and/or rear roll stiffness may be controlled to promote oversteer at low vehicle speed and understeer at high vehicle speed.

Abstract: A method for improving side roll, initially based on a conceivably unfavorable motor vehicle load to indicate a stability-critical transversal acceleration or related variable when the vehicle begins to travel. By observing the motor vehicle during travel, information on real mass distribution can be obtained. Whenever there is a danger of tilting during cornering, braking occurs in at least the front wheel that is located towards the outside of the bend, resulting in a reduction of lateral forces and transversal acceleration. An additional active motor vehicle suspension can also be provided.

Abstract: A roll control system (1) for a vehicle suspension system, the vehicle having at least one pair of lately spaced front wheel assemblies (2) and at least one pair of laterally spaced rear wheel assemblies (3), each wheel assembly (2, 3) including a wheel (4) and a wheel mounting (5) permitting wheel movement in a generally vertical direction relative to vehicle body, and vehicle support means (17a, 17b) for providing at least substantially a major portion of the support for the vehicle; the roll control system (1) including: wheel cylinders (8) respectively locatable between each wheel mounting (5) and the vehicle body, each wheel cylinder (8) including an inner volume separated into first (51) and second (52) chambers by a piston (53) supported within; first and second fluid circuits (7) respectively providing fluid connection between the wheel cylinders (8) by fluid conduits (9, 10, 11), each said fluid circuit providing fluid communication between the said first chambers (51) on one side of the vehicle and

Abstract: A device for estimating a rolling condition of a body of a vehicle having: a unit for estimating a first quantity (&phgr;, &ggr;V, Gy, Ff) corresponding to roll angle (&phgr;) of the vehicle body around a rolling axis; a unit for estimating a second quantity corresponding to a change rate (&phgr;) of the roll angle of the vehicle body; a unit for estimating a third quantity indicating a relative magnitude (&phgr;/&phgr;limit, &ggr;V/(&ggr;V)limit, Gy/Gylimit, Ff/Fflimit) of the first quantity with reference to a first limit value predetermined therefor; a unit for estimating a fourth quantity indicating a relative magnitude (&phgr;/&phgr;limit) of the second quantity with reference to a second limit value predetermined therefor; and a unit for estimating the rolling condition as a combination of the third and fourth quantities such that the rolling condition is intensified along with increase of the third quantity as well as increase of the fourth quantity.

Abstract: A wheel support assembly comprising a leg coupled to a wheel and rotatably coupled within a journal, wherein the end of the leg opposite the wheel is provided with a lateral planar surface, and a base plate is provided over the journal with a collar secured to the base plate and having a substantially flat surface is secured around the inner leg with the substantially flat surface provided over the planar surface. The wheel support assembly is also provided with a spring secured to a spring plate and means for rotating the base plate relative to the spring plate.

Abstract: In an active roll control system for a vehicle, anti-roll bars (26, 30) are provided with actuators (28, 32) which can provide a torque in the anti-roll bars to control vehicle body roll. Under certain cornering conditions when the vehicle is liable to over-steer, the pressure supply to the actuators is pulsed so that the front wheels of the vehicle tend to break away more easily, thereby reducing over-steer.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension device having, for each suspension system, a suspension including a spring and a reversible electric actuator acting in parallel with the spring. The device includes provision for controlling the electric actuators of each of the suspension systems so that they each develop a force having two components: a damping component opposing the deflection speed and a trim correction component, the said trim correction components applying a trim correction torque to the suspended mass.

Abstract: A vehicle-mountable, suspension monitoring system produces suspension-analysis information which can be used to determine adjustments to a vehicle suspension. Sensor structure located adjacent the vehicle suspension is connected to a control/processing/display (CPD) unit located adjacent the vehicle operator. The sensor structure senses suspension related information and communicates the suspension related information to the CPD unit. The CPD unit receives the suspension related information and converts it to suspension-analysis information. The CPD unit stores the suspension-analysis information and displays it to the vehicle operator. Alternatively, the suspension-analysis information is downloaded from the CPD unit to a digital computer for display as waveform data.