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. The control system uses a fitness (performance) function that is based on the physical laws of minimum entropy. The control system uses a fuzzy neural network that is trained by a genetic analyzer. The genetic analyzer uses a fitness function that maximizes information while minimizing entropy production. The fitness function uses a difference between the time differential of entropy from a control signal produced in a learning control module and the time differential of the entropy calculated by a model of the suspension system that uses the control signal as an input The entropy calculation is based on a dynamic model of an equation of motion for the suspension system such that the suspension system is treated as an open dynamic system.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling a vehicle suspension system comprise determining a relative velocity between a wheel and a corresponding corner of the vehicle, and determining responsive to the relative velocity a raw wheel demand force. The method and system also comprise determining a relative position between the wheel and the corresponding corner of a vehicle body, determining a scale factor responsive to the relative position of the wheel, modifying the raw wheel demand force as a function of the scale factor to determine a scaled wheel demand force, and controlling the vehicle suspension system responsive to the scaled wheel demand force.

Abstract: An active suspension system for an automotive vehicle includes a mono-tube shock absorber for passively absorbing impact from a wheel, an actuator formed around the mono-tube shock absorber, the actuator acting as a cylinder for a mono-tube shock absorber, a coil spring mounted around the actuator for assisting the mono-tube shock absorber and suspending a vehicle body, a servo amplifier connected to the actuator for adjusting hydraulic pressure, a servo valve connected to the servo amplifier for duty control by selectively activating the actuator, and a on/off valve electrically connected to the servo valve for selectively activating the actuator.

Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle suspension system for a vehicle body supported by a plurality of spaced apart wheels arranged in at least generally diagonally opposite pairs, the vehicle suspension system including an adjustment system for adjusting the position of each of the wheel rams relative to the vehicle body, sensors adapted to generate a signal indicative of the position of each of the wheels, an electronic control unit arranged to receive the signals, wherein the required position for each wheel ram is determined as a function of the diagonal average of the positions of each pair of diagonally opposite wheels, the position of each wheel being adjusted on the basis of the diagonal averages.

Abstract: An Adaptive Off-state (AO) control method (55) for use in conjunction with a suspension system (10) including a controllable damper (22) interconnecting relatively moveable members (12, 14) to reduce the transmission of vibrational forces therebetween. Such suspension systems (10) are switchable between alternative on- and an off-state in accordance with a primary control method (53) and/or a secondary override control method (59). Sensors (48, 52) monitor the parameters of the suspension system (10), such as the displacement, velocity, and acceleration of the moveable members (12, 14). Damper command signals (107) are provided to the damper (22) in the on-state (116) to adjust the damping characteristics thereof. In the off-state, the damping signal in conventional systems is approximately zero or a constant relatively low magnitude.

Abstract: A vehicle height adjust control apparatus and method prevents interference between a vehicle and a road surface due to a vehicle height reduction caused by an occupant or load added during a stop of the vehicle and minimizes unnecessary or ineffective operation of actuators while the vehicle is stopped with a brake pedal depressed. The apparatus has a vehicle sensor for detecting a vehicle speed, and a brake switch for detecting a brake pedal depressing operation. When the vehicle is stopped and the brake pedal is depressed, a microcomputer maintains a normal determination condition for starting a vehicle height adjustment to raise the vehicle body, but prevents a vehicle height reducing adjustment from lowering the vehicle body or uses a severe determination condition for starting a vehicle height reducing adjustment, thereby restricting the vehicle height adjustment only in the reducing direction.

Abstract: An active actuator is interposed between the unsprung mass and the sprung mass of a vehicle, and a controller selectively extends and retracts the actuator at a prescribed acceleration so as to selectively apply an additional contact load to the wheel by making use of the inertial force of the sprung mass and/or the unsprung mass of the vehicle. A particularly advantageous result can be achieved by increasing the tire contact load when the wheel is about to lock up when braking. The present invention can thus reduce the braking distance for the given road condition.