Vehicle loading based vehicle dynamic and safety related characteristic adjusting system
A method of controlling a controllable chassis system or a safety system ( 44 ) for a vehicle ( 10 ) includes determining an added mass placed on the vehicle and relative to a known vehicle mass. A vehicle characteristic is adjusted in response to the added mass. A control system ( 18 ) for an automotive vehicle ( 10 ) includes a sensor ( 20, 28 - 42 ) that generates a signal. A controller ( 26 ) determines added mass on the vehicle ( 10 ) in response to the signal and adjusts a vehicle characteristic in response to the added mass.
1. A method of controlling an automotive vehicle having an associated center of gravity, the method comprising the steps of:
determining, in a controller, an added mass, onboard the vehicle in response to sensor signal information and relative to a known vehicle mass;
determining, in a controller, a change in the associated center of gravity as caused by the added mass;
controlling the automotive vehicle by adjusting at least one vehicle characteristic in response to the added mass and the change in the associated center of gravity.
2. A method as in claim 1 wherein adjusting at least one vehicle characteristic comprises adjusting a vehicle braking characteristic.
3. A method as in claim 1 wherein adjusting at least one vehicle characteristic comprises adjusting a vehicle steering characteristic.
4. A method as in claim 1 wherein adjusting at least one vehicle characteristic comprises adjusting a vehicle throttle characteristic.
5. A method as in claim 1 wherein adjusting at least one vehicle characteristic comprises adjusting a safety restraint deployment characteristic.
6. A method as in claim 1 wherein adjusting at least one vehicle characteristic comprises adjusting a profile of the at least one vehicle characteristic.
7. A method as in claim 1 wherein the at least one vehicle characteristic is adjusted in response to a comfort and ride handling disturbance.
8. A method as in claim 1 wherein the at least one vehicle characteristic is adjusted in response to a roll condition.
9. A method as in claim 1 further comprising:
determining a loading condition in response to the added mass; and
adjusting sensitivity of a throttle response in response to the loading condition.
10. A method as in claim 1 further comprising:
determining a loading condition in response to the added mass; and
adjusting sensitivity of a steering response in response to the loading condition.
11. A method as in claim 1 further comprising:
determining a loading condition in response to the added mass; and
adjusting sensitivity of a braking response in response to the loading condition.
12. A method as in claim 1 further comprising:
determining location of the added mass; and
adjusting the at least one vehicle characteristic in response to the location.
13. A method as in claim 1 wherein adjusting at least one vehicle characteristic comprises adjusting damping of a suspension.
14. A method as in claim 1 wherein adjusting at least one vehicle characteristic comprises adjusting damping differently for each of a plurality of dampers.
15. A method as in claim 1 wherein adjusting at least one vehicle characteristic comprises adjusting brake, distribution pressures differently for each of a plurality of brakes.
16. A method as in claim 1 wherein adjusting at least one vehicle characteristic comprises adjusting a plurality of vehicle characteristics in a coordinated overall adjustment.