METHOD OF OPERATING AN ADJUSTABLE ROLL STABILIZER

Abstract

A method of operating an adjustable roll stabilizer for a motor vehicle. The stabilizer has an actuator which can be rotated through a system angle about a rotational axis to apply a system torque and rotate two stabilizer sections relative to one another about the axis. The stabilizer sections are coupled at a radial distance from the axis to a respective wheel suspension, and depending on the system angle and under the external influence of movements of the wheel suspensions, twist relative to one another through a stabilizer angle. In the context of a perturbation magnitude regulation, the actuator is controlled based on the stabilizer angle determined from height levels of the wheels, by virtue of a stored relationship for the roll stabilizer and/or motor vehicle. The plausibility of the stored relationship between the wheel height levels and the stabilizer angle is checked by a model calculation.

Claims

1-9. (canceled)

10. A method for operating an adjustable roll stabilizer (1) for a motor vehicle, the adjustable roll stabilizer (1) has an actuator (2) which is rotatable through a system angle () in relation to a rotational axis (3) to apply a system torque (M.sub.system), to rotate two stabilizer sections (6a, 6b) connected thereto relative to one another about the rotation axis (3), the stabilizer sections (6a, 6b) are, in each case, coupled radially a distance away from the rotation axis (3) to a respective wheel suspension (7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b) and, depending on the system angle () and under an external influence of movement of the wheel suspensions (7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b), twist relative to one another through a stabilizer angle (), the method comprising: controlling the actuator (2), in context of a perturbation magnitude regulation, as a function of the stabilizer angle (), which is determined from height levels (z7a, z7b) of wheels (7a, 7b) determined by sensors, by virtue of a stored relationship for at least one of the adjustable roll stabilizer (1) and the motor vehicle, and checking the plausibility of the stored relationship between the height levels (z7a, z7b) of the wheels (7a, 7b) and the stabilizer angle () by a model calculation.

11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising defining the stored relationship between the height levels (z7a, z7b) of the wheels (7a, 7b) and the stabilizer angle () as a characteristic which has been determined by measurements on either the adjustable roll stabilizer (1) or a motor vehicle equipped therewith.

12. The method according to claim 10, further comprising using a model of the adjustable roll stabilizer (1) approximated by linear kinematics for the model calculation.

13. The method according to claim 10, further comprising basing the model calculation on a kinematic conversion of the sensor-determined height levels (z7a, z7b) of the wheels (7a, 7b) to a calculated stabilizer angle () which, as a plausibility check, is compared with the stabilizer angle () concluded from the stored relationship.

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising basing the kinematic conversion on a difference of the sensor-determined height levels (z7a, z7b) of the wheels (7a, 7b) in combination with characteristic kinematic magnitudes (L1, L2, h) of at least one of a chassis geometry of the adjustable roll stabilizer (1) and the motor vehicle fitted with the adjustable roll stabilizer.

15. The method according to claim 13, further comprising calculating the stabilizer angle () as:
=arcsin(deflection difference*D/h), wherein: deflection difference=difference between the height levels (z7a, z7b)of the wheels (7a, 7b); D=ratio between a distance from the stabilizer connection to the control arm connection (L.sub.1) and a distance between the middle of the wheel and the control arm connection (L.sub.2); and h=lever arm length of the stabilizer section (radial distance from the stabilizer connection to the rotational axis (3)).

16. The method according to claim 10, further comprising carrying out the plausibility check during on-going operation of the adjustable roll stabilizer (1).

17. The method according to claim 10, further comprising triggering an error reaction if the plausibility is found to be lacking.

18. A system for roll stabilization, which is designed to carry out a method for operating an adjustable roll stabilizer (1) for a motor vehicle, the adjustable roll stabilizer (1) has an actuator (2) which is rotatable through a system angle () in relation to a rotational axis (3) to apply a system torque (M.sub.system), to rotate two stabilizer sections (6a, 6b) connected thereto relative to one another about the rotation axis (3), the stabilizer sections (6a, 6b) are, in each case, coupled radially a distance away from the rotation axis (3) to a respective wheel suspension (7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b) and, depending on the system angle () and under an external influence of movements of the wheel suspensions (7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b), twist relative to one another through a stabilizer angle (), the method including controlling, in context of a perturbation magnitude regulation, the actuator (2) as a function of the stabilizer angle (), which is determined from height levels (z7a, z7b) of wheels (7a, 7b) determined by sensors, by virtue of a stored relationship for at least one of the adjustable roll stabilizer (1) and the motor vehicle, and checking the plausibility of the stored relationship between the height levels (z7a, z7b) of the wheels (7a, 7b) and the stabilizer angle () by means of a model calculation.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Below, the invention will be explained in greater detail with reference to drawings. From this, further design features of the invention will also emerge. The drawings show:

[0025] FIG. 1: An adjustable roll stabilizer for a motor vehicle, illustrated schematically,

[0026] FIG. 2: A graphical representation of a regulating strategy for an adjustable roll stabilizer,

[0027] FIG. 3: A schematic representation of a motor vehicle fitted with an adjustable roll stabilizer, viewed in section as seen from the front,

[0028] FIG. 4: A representation of the principle, designed to explain a geometrical relationship at the adjustable roll stabilizer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0029] To clarify the field of use of the invention, FIG. 1 first shows a schematic representation of an adjustable roll stabilizer 1. The adjustable roll stabilizer 1 is part of an incompletely illustrated chassis of a motor vehicle (not shown). Of the motor vehicle a vehicle body 10 is only suggested by an index. The roll stabilizer 1 is also part of an axle of the motor vehicle, for example the front axle and/or the rear axle of the motor vehicle can be fitted with the adjustable roll stabilizer.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 1, a wheel 7a on the left and a wheel 7b arranged on the right, on the opposite side of the vehicle, are connected to the body 10 of the vehicle by means of control arm arrangements 8a and 8b respectively, which need no more detailed explanation. Thus, the wheel 7a and control arm arrangement 8a and the wheel 7b and control arm arrangement 8b, respectively, each form a unit and are each coupled by a hinged support 9a and 9b to a respective end of an associated stabilizer section 6a and 6b of the adjustable roll stabilizer 1. The stabilizer section 6a on the left and the stabilizer section 6b on the right are connected to one another in the middle of the vehicle by an actuator 2 shown as an essentially cylindrical body.

[0031] In a manner known as such, the adjustable roll stabilizer 1 is mounted so that it can rotate relative to the vehicle body 10 about a rotational axis 3, for which purpose a stabilizer mounting 11a on the left and a stabilizer mounting 11b on the right are provided, which mountings, as shown in FIG. 1, surround areas of the respective stabilizer sections 6a and 6b in a U-shapeillustrated in a simplified manner.

[0032] The actuator 2 represented here as a cylindrical body 2 comprises a housing (not indexed) which is essentially rotationally symmetrical relative to the rotational axis 3 and in which an electric motor 4, a multi-step planetary gearset 5 and a rotational speed sensor 13 (each indicated only by indexes) are arranged. By way of the electric motor 4 and the multi-step planetary gearset 5, the stabilizer sections 6a and 6b are in driving connection with one another. When the actuator 2 is inactive, the two stabilizer sections 6a, 6b are connected solidly to one another by way of the inactive electric motor 4 and the multi-step planetary gearset 5 in driving connection with it. By operating the electric motor 4, however, and depending on the rotational direction of the electric motor 4 about the rotational axis 3, the stabilizer sections 6a, 6b can be twisted relative to one another. During this the multi-step planetary gearset 5 produces a fixed rotational speed ratio between the drive input (electric motor 4) and the drive output (stabilizer section 6b on the right, which is coupled to the output of the gearset). In that way the adjustable roll stabilizer 1 can be adjusted in a manner known as such.

[0033] Depending on the operating condition of the adjustable roll stabilizer 1 or the vehicle equipped with it, torsion can be produced between the stabilizer sections 6a, 6b coupled to one another by the actuator 2, depending on which a torque M.sub.system acting about the rotational axis 3 is developed. That torque M.sub.system is applied at the actuator 2 in the form of system torque.

[0034] With the help of the roll stabilizer 1, roll torque M.sub.Wank can be supported, which acts between the vehicle body 10 and the wheels 7a, 7b. By adjusting the roll stabilizer 1 the supportable roll torque M.sub.Wank can be influenced. For the regulation of the roll stabilizer 1 according to need, respective height level sensors 12a and 12b are associated with the left-hand wheel 7a and the right-hand wheel 7b, which sensors enable detection of wheel stroke movements of the wheel concerned and which emit these in the form of a height level z7a for the left-hand wheel and a height level z7b for the right-hand wheel. In addition, by way of the rotational speed sensor 13 the rotation of the electric motor 4 can be determined and this is emitted in the form of a rotational speed signal as a motor rotational speed n.

[0035] Below, the regulation of the adjustable roll stabilizer 1 shown schematically in FIG. 1 is explained in greater detail with reference to the regulation strategy shown in FIG. 2. According to this, a so-termed nominal system torque is adopted as an input magnitude for the regulation of the adjustable roll stabilizer 1. This is a magnitude specified for the vehicle, which corresponds to the torque M.sub.system acting about the rotational axis 3 (see FIG. 1) that should be supported by the adjustable roll stabilizer 1 at the level of the actuator, i.e. which engages at the actuator 2comprising the electric motor 4 and the gearset 5with the correct rotational direction about the rotational axis 3. Thus, by virtue of the combined kinematic action of the adjustable roll stabilizer 1, the wheel suspensions 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b and the connections 11a, 11b upon the vehicle body 10, the adjustable roll stabilizer 1 supportsat the vehicle levelan axle-related roll torque M.sub.Wank (see FIG. 1 orientated in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle).

[0036] The nominal system torque is converted by way of a known system rigidity into a rotational angle for the torque requirement, wherein the known system rigidity is composed of individual rigidities, in particular the rigidity of the stabilizer itself (stabilizer sections, gearset, housing, decoupling elements if present, hinged supports, stabilizer mountings and the like).

[0037] In parallel, the regulation of the adjustable roll stabilizer adopts a magnitude for the compensation of perturbations. For this, wheel movement data are detected by the height level sensors associated with the wheels, in the form of height level signals (for individual wheels) and a table of characteristic values for a decoupling angle (with previously determined vehicle-specific data) for determining a so-termed zero-torque angle is used, i.e. that angle which corresponds to the outermost rotational angle of the adjustable roll stabilizer, perhaps caused by an uneven road, and which would put the actuator of the adjustable roll stabilizer in a torque-free position. The two angles determined in this way, namely the rotational angle for the torque requirement and the zero-torque angle, are then added to obtain a target angle.

[0038] The target angle is then fed into a cascading position-rotational speed regulator. This comprises a position regulator which from the incoming target angleand also having regard to a feedback signal from the motordetermines a target rotational speed, which in turn is passed to a rotational speed regulator. On the basis of the target rotational speed and a feedback from the electric motor (rotational speed), the rotational speed regulator determines a target motor torque for controlling the electric motor. The target motor torque is in turn fed into a field-orientated regulator whichagain having regard to feedback signals from the electric motorcontrols the electric motor 4 of the actuator 2. A motor output torque produced by the electric motor 4 is transformedthis time via a mechanical routeby way of a gear system 5 (multi-step planetary gearset) into a system torque, which acts between the stabilizer sections (see FIG. 1, indexes 6a and 6b).

[0039] The regulation scheme shown in FIG. 2 is advantageously used with an adjustable roll stabilizer 1 of the type shown in FIG. 1. With the regulation principle described therein, an incoming system target torque is converted via the system rigidity into a target angle from which, by means of a position-rotational speed regulator, a target motor torque is determined, whereby the motor is acted upon with corresponding motor currents.

[0040] For a further explanation of the invention reference should be made to FIG. 3, which shows a schematic representation of a motor vehicle fitted with an adjustable roll stabilizer, viewed in section from the front. The motor vehicle is represented only indicatively and partially by a vehicle body 10 and an axle shown as an example and in a simplified manner, wherein the vehicle body 10 is supported on a road (not shown) by means of a control arm arrangement 8a and a left-hand wheel 7a and by means of a right-hand control arm arrangement 8b and a right-hand wheel 7b.

[0041] In a manner already seen and already described with reference to FIG. 1, the motor vehicle is fitted with an adjustable roll stabilizer. This has as an essential feature an actuator 2 arranged approximately in the middle of the vehicle, which is connected on either side with a stabilizer section 6a on the left and a stabilizer section 6b on the right, in order to be able to rotate those sections relative to one another about the rotational axis (not shown here for representational reasons).

[0042] In an area radially a distance away from the rotational axis, each of the stabilizer sections 6a, 6b is coupled to a wheel suspension. Again for the sake of simplicity, in the representation in FIG. 3 the hinged supports have not been shown. Correspondingly, in FIG. 3 the stabilizer sections 6a, 6botherwise than in a customary chassis structure, which would comprise hinged supports acting between them (and thus in a supplementary sense)are respectively coupled directly by a left-hand stabilizer connection 15a (and a right-hand stabilizer connection 15b) to a control arm arrangement 8a on the left (and a control arm arrangement 8b on the right).

[0043] Each of the control arm arrangements 8a, 8b is articulated to the vehicle body 10 in a connection area by respective left-hand control arm connections 14a and 14b.

[0044] In FIG. 3 a lever arm length h is shown for each of the stabilizer sections 6a, 6b. This lever arm length h represents a radial distance between the left-hand stabilizer connection 15a (or the right-hand stabilizer connect ion 15b) [coupling point of the stabilizer section 6a or 6b and the control arm arrangement 8a or 8b] and the rotational axis 3, and is therefore the lever arm length of the respective stabilizer section 6a, 6b relative to the rotational axis 3.

[0045] Associated with each of the wheels 7a, 7b there is a respective height level sensor 12a, 12b. By means of the height level sensors 12a, 12b, for each wheel a height level of the wheel concerned (relative to the vehicle body 10) is detected and made available for the control of the adjustable roll stabilizer.

[0046] Furthermore, a dimensioning relationship is indicated in FIG. 3. According to this, the distance between the stabilizer connection 15a (or 15b respectively) and the corresponding control arm connection 14a (or 14b) is called L.sub.1. The distance between the middle of each wheel 7a or 7b and the corresponding control arm connection 14a or 14b, respectively, is called L.sub.2. Thus, for an adjustable roll stabilizer or a motor vehicle fitted with one a kinematic characteristic magnitude in the sense of a length ratio D is obtained, which is calculated as the ratio L.sub.1 to L.sub.2 as indicated at the bottom of FIG. 3. This length ratio can also be called the drop link ratio. On the basis of a geometrical approximation (linearization) the length ratio D provides a relationship between the vertical movement of a mid-point of a wheel 7a, 7b and the vertical movement of the associated stabilizer connection 15a (or 15b).

[0047] FIG. 4 shows an illustration of a principle for explaining a further geometrical relationship that can be used in the context of the invention with an adjustable roll stabilizer. The representation is based on a simplified model of an adjustable roll stabilizer, which is sketched in principle, viewed as a lateral section (with the plane of the section perpendicular to the rotational axis 3). Specifically, the roll stabilizer is shown in a twisted condition representedagain in a simplified mannerby a right-angled triangle. The representation is an approximation for small angles. In actual fact (otherwise than in the representation shown in FIG. 4) the stabilizer sections 6a and 6b are of equal length. In the model, however, to be able to use the computationally simple angle function (sine function) it is assumed that the arm lengths are different. With comparatively little computational effort the approximation provides relatively accurate results for small angles.

[0048] As can be seen, the left- and right-hand stabilizer sections 6a and 6b are twisted relative to one another about the rotational axis 3 by the stabilizer angle . Here, the stabilizer section 6a has a lever arm length of h (see the representation and explanation of FIG. 3), which is the hypotenuse of the right-angled triangle. In relation to the stabilizer angle the opposite side of the right-angled triangle is denoted B, which expresses an adjustment path (vertical height difference between the stabilizer connections 15a, 15b) of the two wheels 7a, 7b.

[0049] According to the trigonometric relationship in the right-angled triangle:

sin =B/h.

[0050] Here, B corresponds to the deflection difference of the height levels z7a and z7b of the wheels 7a, 7b multiplied by the length ratio D, where

D=L.sub.1/L.sub.2.

Thus:

sin =deflection difference*D/h.

[0051] Thus, in the inverse function, for the stabilizer angle the calculation basis obtained is:

=arcsin(deflection difference*D/h).

[0052] Accordingly, using the indicated calculation basis for the stabilizer angle , on the basis of a difference between the sensor-determined height levels z7a and z7b of the wheels 7a and 7b in combination with the kinematic characteristic magnitudes L.sub.1, L.sub.2 and h of the chassis geometry of the adjustable roll stabilizer or the motor vehicle fitted with it, the stabilizer angle can be calculated. The calculation is based on a model of the adjustable roll stabilizer approximated by linear kinematics.

[0053] The calculated values for the stabilizer angle can be used in the context of the invention and in particular to check the plausibility of a value of the stabilizer angle determined by some other method, i.e. to check approximately whether or not, in light of the operating situation detected, it is acceptable, comprehensible and/or reasonable.

[0054] Since the only input magnitudes needed are in any case the sensor-determined height levels z7a and z7b, besides structural characteristics (L.sub.1, L.sub.2 and h) of the vehicle's geometry, and since the calculation is comparatively simple to carry out, in this way a plausibility check can be carried out during on-going operation of the adjustable roll stabilizer.

[0055] Whereas during routine operation of the adjustable roll stabilizer the plausibility check should give a positive result, so that there is no need for further action, it is expediently provided that in the event that the plausibility is found to be lacking an error reaction is triggered. This is because in such a case the approximately calculated values for the stabilizer angle to be set differ too much from the values determined by virtue of the stored relationship, so that something is clearly amiss.

INDEXES

[0056] 1 Adjustable roll stabilizer [0057] 2 Actuator [0058] 3 Rotational axis [0059] 4 Electric motor [0060] 5 Multi-step planetary gearset [0061] 6a, 6b Left-hand (or right-hand) stabilizer section [0062] 7a, 7b Left-hand (or right-hand) wheel [0063] 8a, 8b Left-hand (or right-hand) control arm arrangement [0064] 9a, 9b Left-hand (or right-hand) hinged support [0065] 10 Vehicle body [0066] 11a, 11b Left-hand (or right-hand) stabilizer mounting [0067] 12a, 12b Height level sensor for the left-hand (or right-hand) wheel [0068] 13 Rotational speed sensor [0069] 14a, 14b Left-hand (or right-hand) control arm connection [0070] 15a, 15b Left-hand (or right-hand) stabilizer connection [0071] Stabilizer angle [0072] B Adjustment path [0073] h Lever arm length of stabilizer section [0074] z7a, z7b Height level of left-hand (or right-hand) wheel [0075] D Length ratio (L.sub.2 to L.sub.2) [0076] L.sub.1 Distance from stabilizer connection to control arm connection [0077] L.sub.2 Distance between the middle of the wheel and the control arm connection [0078] M.sub.Wank Roll torque (relative to the axis) [0079] M.sub.system System torque [0080] n Motor rotational speed