Vehicle suspension augmentation devices, systems and methods

Abstract

Devices, systems and methods for replacing a factory installed or similar air suspension controller in a vehicle with an augmentor, which sends correct status messages to the vehicle main computer when the air suspension is replaced with coil springs or shocks. The augmentor can includes a voltage regulator, an indicator and bus interface. At power on, the program initializes the microcontroller registers, timer registers, and control registers, then loop until an inquiry or command is received, then responds with status messages that are the same as the status messages sent by the original factory installed air suspension controller until power is removed.

Claims

1. A non-programmable augmentor module for replacing a vehicle air suspension controller comprising: a connector to mate an augmenter module with an air suspension controller connector on a vehicle after the vehicle air suspension controller is disconnected; a microcontroller within the augmentor module for executing a set of firmware instructions stored in read only memory to simulate the disconnected air suspension controller by responding to messages received from a vehicle main computer, the response comprising a simulated operation status message corresponding to the received message from the vehicle main computer, said instructions including an initial subset of instructions to initialize the microcontroller including an instruction to clear one or more microcontroller registers, a loop set of instructions to continuously monitor for an input message, and a status set of instructions to send the simulated operation status message in response to receiving the input message to said vehicle main computer, said simulated message stating that the air suspension controller is operating properly so that no advisory message or indicator light is displayed or lit on a dashboard of the vehicle; and a bus interface integrated circuit to interface the microcontroller with the vehicle main computer, wherein the augmentor module is not programmable and does not interface with air suspension valves and sensors.

2. The augmentor module of claim 1, wherein the loop set of firmware instructions comprises: a message type set of instruction for determining a type of message received and sending a message packet corresponding to the type of message received, the message packet and timing corresponding one of CAN bus, GM J1850 VPW bus, Ford UBP bus, ISO 9141 bus, and LIN bus.

3. The augmentor module of claim 2, wherein the loop set of instructions includes an instruction for checking a parity of the input message received.

4. The augmentor module of claim 1 wherein the bus interface comprises: a bus interface selected from a group consisting of CAN bus, GM J1850 VPW bus, Ford UBP bus, ISO 9141 bus, and LIN bus.

5. The augmentor module of claim 1 further comprising: a voltage regulator to regulate power supplied to the microcontroller.

6. The augmentor module of claim 1 further comprising: an indicator illuminated by the augmentor module.

7. The augmentor module of claim 1, wherein the corresponding operation status message includes: a good system status message sent to the vehicle main computer which prevents at least one of: an error message from appearing on the vehicle dashboard and an error warning indicator light from being activated on the vehicle dashboard, wherein the vehicle main computer records that the air suspension system is running or has been replaced with another similar operational air suspension system.

8. A method for simulating a vehicle air suspension controller module comprising the steps of: providing a non-programmable air suspension augmentor module with firmware for simulating the air suspension controller module when an existing air suspension system on a vehicle is replaced with coil spring or shock components, said firmware including instructions, said instructions including an initial subset of instructions to initialize a microcontroller including an instruction to clear one or more microcontroller registers, a loop set of instructions to continuously monitor for an input message, and a status set of instructions to send a simulated operation status message in response to receiving the input message to a vehicle main computer, said simulated message stating that the air suspension controller is operating properly so that no advisory message or indicator light is displayed or lit on a dashboard of the vehicle; disconnecting the air suspension controller module from an air suspension controller connector; replacing the vehicle air suspension controller module with the non-programmable air suspension augmentor module, the augmentor module including a non-programmable microcontroller and a connector to connect the augmentor module with the air suspension controller connector and an interface integrated circuit therebetween to interface the non-programmable microcontroller with the vehicle main computer; connecting the air suspension augmentor module to the air suspension controller connector on a vehicle wiring harness; and receiving messages at the augmentor module from the vehicle main computer via the vehicle wiring harness and sending a status message from the augmentor module in response based upon said instructions from said firmware, the status message consisting of a corresponding simulated operation status message, wherein the air suspension augmentor module is not connected to air suspension valves and sensors and is limited to receiving messages and sending simulated status messages.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the providing step comprises the steps of: providing the microcontroller executing a set of instructions to respond to the input message from the vehicle main computer with the corresponding simulated operation status message; and providing a bus interface between the microcontroller and the vehicle main computer.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of providing a bus interface comprises the step of: selecting the bus interface from a group consisting of CAN bus, GM J1850 VPW bus, Ford UBP bus, ISO 9141 bus, and LIN bus.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the receiving step includes the step of: checking a parity of the input message received.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the receiving step includes the step of: determining a type of message received; and sending a message packet corresponding to the type of message received, the message packet and timing corresponding one of CAN bus, GM J1850 VPW bus, Ford UBP bus, ISO 9141 bus, and LIN bus.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of sending the status message consists of the step of: sending a good system status message to the vehicle computer which prevents at least one of: an error message from appearing on a vehicle dashboard and an error warning indicator light from being activated on the vehicle dashboard, wherein the vehicle main computer records that a factory installed air suspension system is running or has been replaced with another similar operational air suspension system.

14. An augmentor module comprising: an augmentor simulation module housing to replace an air suspension controller for a vehicle when a coil spring or shock absorber replaces an air suspension component, said housing including an augmentor microcontroller; said augmentor microcontroller having-read-only memory and a set of preprogrammed firmware instructions stored in the read-only memory, wherein the augmentor module communication with a vehicle main computer is limited to receiving messages from the vehicle main computer and sending a simulated operation status message in response, said instructions including an initial subset of instructions to initialize the microcontroller including an instruction to clear one or more microcontroller registers, a loop set of instructions to continuously monitor for an input message, and a status set of instructions to send the simulated operation status message in response to receiving the input message to said vehicle main computer, said simulated message stating the air suspension controller is operating properly so that no advisory message or indicator light is displayed or lit on a dashboard of the vehicle, wherein installation of the augmentor module to replace the air suspension controller prevents at least one of: an error message from appearing on a vehicle dashboard and an error warning indicator light from being activated on the vehicle dashboard since the augmentor module's status message simulates a air suspension status message resulting in the vehicle main computer recording that an installed air suspension system is running or has been replaced with another operational air suspension system; a connector to connect with a vehicle air suspension controller; and an interface between the augmentor microcontroller and the connector to allow the microcontroller to communicate with the vehicle main computer.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the main components of a conventional prior art automobile air suspension system.

(2) FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main components of an augmented automobile air suspension system according to the present invention.

(3) FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of the air suspension augmentor module of the present invention.

(4) FIG. 4a is a top view of an example of an air suspension augmentor module.

(5) FIG. 4b is a perspective view of the air suspension augmentor module of FIG. 4a.

(6) FIG. 4c is a front view of the air suspension augmentor module of FIG. 4b.

(7) FIG. 4d is a side view of the air suspension augmentor module of FIG. 4b.

(8) FIG. 5 is an operational flow diagram showing the operation of the air suspension augmentor module.

(9) FIG. 6 is an operational flow diagram showing an example of responding to a message as a continuation of the flow diagram shown in FIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(10) Before explaining the disclosed embodiments of the present invention in detail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the particular arrangements shown since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

(11) The following is a list of reference numerals used in the description and the drawings to identify components: 100 air suspension system 110 wheel 120 air spring 130 compressor 140 air suspension controller 200 modified suspension system 220 coil spring and shock 240 augmentor module 300 air suspension augmentor circuit board 310 microcontroller 320 bus interface 330 voltage regulator 335 LED 340 harness connector 400 module housing

(12) The term augmentor is a word made up by the inventors to describe the air suspension agmentor module of the present invention. The Air Suspension Augmentor is an electronic supplement/substitute for the air suspension controller provided as original equipment by the auto manufacturer.

(13) The present invention provides methods, systems and devices for an Air Suspension Augmentor module connected with the automotive communication bus used in the Air Suspension systems of various vehicles. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the components of a conventional automotive air suspension system. As shown, the components of an air suspension system consisting of air springs 120 for each wheel 110 includes an air spring, a solenoid valve and height sensors for each wheel. The air suspension system also includes a compressor 130, a relief valve, and an Air Suspension controller 140. The automotive buses used in air suspension systems include CAN bus, J1850 VPW, LIN bus, Ford UBP bus, and ISO 9141 bus, for example. The vehicle has a main computer module that communicates with an air suspension controller via one of these bus types.

(14) If any air suspension system components fail, perhaps because of normal wear after several years, replacement parts can be expensive, and replacing the air suspension components with conventional coil springs and shocks can be a cost effective way to keep the vehicle in service. However, this type of replacement can involve disconnecting or switching off the air suspension controller, which is not used with the conventional coil spring and shock components. The modified air suspension system allows the vehicle to remain in service, but the Check Air Suspension warning message on the instrument panel is a distracting artifact of the previous system. The addition of the Air Suspension Augmentor electronic module 240 of the present invention restores the good system status message to the vehicle computer and keeps the error message from appearing by sending a correct status message to the vehicle main computer.

(15) FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main components of an augmented automobile air suspension system according to the present invention. When the air suspension systems springs 120 are replaced with other suspension components, such as coil springs and shocks 20, the compressor and the air suspension controller 140 are removed and an augmentor module 240 is connected to the vehicle system bus in communication with the vehicle main computer. FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of an augmentor module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(16) The augmentor module can include an embedded microcontroller 310 connected with a bus interface integrated circuit 320 and a connector that mates with the connector on the vehicle wire harness to the main computer module. Different automobile manufacturers can have different bus structures that allow the main computer to communicate with various controllers, such as the air suspension controller 140.

(17) The auto industry generally uses several communication busses with different electrical specifications and different packet structures/protocols. Examples of auto communication busses include CAN (Controller Area Network) on all cars from 2008 and newer, SAE J1850 VPW on GM cars before 2008, and ISO 9141 on Japanese and Chrysler cars before 2008. The present invention can provide separate air suspension augmentor modules each using one of the CAN bus, GM J1850 VPW bus, Ford UBP bus, ISO 9141 bus, and LIN bus that run on a microcontroller board 300 that can be sold with air suspension kits. The air suspension augmentor software programs can be written in ANSI C and are contained in the microcontroller 310 on the circuit board 300.

(18) The augmentor module supplies the proper message/packet on the bus with the same timing, protocol, and content as the factory controller for each bus type. The augmentor module can consist of a microcontroller 310 with firmware connected with a bus interface integrated circuit 320 for the type of bus used in the particular vehicle and includes a voltage regulator 330 and indicator LED 335. The augmentor module is a node on the automotive bus and can read and write packets on the bus and does not interfere with the other nodes communicating on the bus at the same time. Each augmentor module should be purposely designed for the make and model of auto that it is installed in, but the overall concept is that the augmentor module supplies the same packets on the bus with the same timing that the factory controller provides when the system is working as designed.

(19) FIG. 4b is a perspective view of an example of an air suspension augmentor module for a Cadillac 2007 for purpose of example. FIG. 4a is a top view, FIG. 4c is a front view and FIG. 4d is a side view of the air suspension augmentor module of FIG. 4b. The circuit board 300 shown in FIG. 3 is enclosed inside the housing 400 with the connector 340 exposed for connection with the vehicle wiring harness for communication with the vehicle main computer.

(20) When the air suspension system is replaced with coil springs or shocks the air suspension controller is disconnected or removed, thus breaking its' communication link with the main computer. This results in a failure from the perspective of the main computer. When the main computer sends an inquiry and does not receive a response, the air suspension system is reported as disabled and an advisory message is displayed to the driver on the dashboard.

(21) To solve the problem resulting from replacement of the air suspension system with conventional coil springs and shocks, the air suspension controller is removed or disconnected and an augmentor module is installed. When the augmentor module receives an inquiry from the vehicle main computer, the augmentor module can send a response indicating to the main computer that the air suspension system is operating properly.

(22) As the vehicle is driven, the main computer module can send instructions to the air suspension module and the instructions are intercepted by the augmentor module and a response is sent to the main computer reporting that the air suspension system is operating properly. In other words, the augmentor response results in the vehicles main computer recording proper operation of the now replaced air suspension system. Since the air suspension system is reported as operating properly after receiving instructions from the main computer module, the advisory message is not displayed.

(23) As previously described, different vehicle manufacturers use different communication bus structures, send different inquiry and command signals and expect different responses from the air suspension module. To solve the problem, a different augmentor module can be configured for each different bus structure and each embedded microcontroller is programmed to respond with a status response expected by the corresponding vehicle main computer.

(24) One skilled in the art should realize that the particularities in the augmentor module should not be construed as limitations of the preferred embodiment. Various air suspension system configurations and corresponding components and communication signals can be chosen and optimized for a particular application to specific vehicle makes and models without deviating from the scope of the present invention to achieve a desired performance of the vehicle air suspension augmented system.

(25) The air suspension sensors and solenoid valves can be removed or left on the vehicle with the leads from the components secured in place with, for example, wire ties. FIG. 4c is a perspective view showing an example of an augmentor module 400. As shown, the circuit board 300 is enclosed within the housing with only the connector 340 to the main computer bus exposed for connection. Although the augmentor module is a different size than the original air suspension controller, the augmentor module can be mounted in approximately the same location within the vehicle to avoid requiring a modification to the existing vehicle wiring harness.

(26) Referring to FIGS. 4a-4d, the novel augmentor can be smaller than the controller that is being replaced and can have a length of approximately 2.63 inches a width of approximately 1.40 inches and a thickness at one end of approximately 0.43 inches and a thickness at an opposite end of approximately 0.68 inches.

(27) FIG. 5 is a general operational flow diagram showing the operation of a novel augmentor module. As different vehicles have different bus structures, so do they have different messages, commands and send different responses. As shown in FIG. 5, at power on, the augmentor software program initializes the microcontroller, registers, and other onboard devices then checks for messages in the bus. If a message is received, the augmentor module responds is a response corresponding to the message received. The augmentor responds with the same message that the factory installed air suspension controller would respond with, thus simulating the original equipment. The primary difference is that although the response to the vehicle main computer is the same as the original equipment response, the augmentor module does not connect with or control an air suspension system. Instead the augmentor module provides responses to indicate to the vehicle main computer that the air suspension system is functioning properly.

(28) The augmentor module software loops, checking for an active bus with a message directed to the air suspension system. Depending on the make and model of the vehicle, the software varies. In one system, the augmentor module sleeps until a message is received and another system can have a built in delay after which a status message is set. The firmware loops waiting for messages and responding until power is removed. During the loop, when an inquiry or command is received from the main computer, the augmentor microcontroller responds with a corresponding message.

(29) For each different augmentor module, the status messages are the same as the status messages sent by the factory Air Suspension Controller to the vehicle computer. While one vehicle air suspension system may simply loop until a message is received and send a response, the augmentor module for a more complex system can have firmware to determine what type of message was received and then send a response corresponding to the message received as shown in FIG. 6 in conjunction with FIG. 5.

(30) In yet another system, the microcontroller can check for the number of bytes received from the bus, check for parity error before responding to the message. As another example, the complex system can turn the augmentor module receive message off until after a response is sent, the receive message is turned back on. Simply put, the operation of the augmentor module of the present invention simulates the operation of the original equipment when responding to messages received.

(31) The invention can be marketed as an augmentor module for air suspension systems that are being replaced with coils or shocks, or a kit that includes the augmentor module and a coil air suspension system for a vehicle wheel, or a kit that includes the augmentor module with a shock for a vehicle wheel, or other combinations, and the like.

(32) The modified air suspension system in combination with the augmentor module allows the vehicle to remain in service, without the Check Air Suspension warning message on the instrument panel that is a distracting artifact of the previous system with the air suspension controller operating. The addition, the augmentor module of the present invention restores the good system status message to the vehicle computer and keeps the error message from appearing, and instead the vehicle main computer records that the original air suspension system is either running or has been replaced with another similar operational air suspension system.

(33) The invention can include methods, systems and devices that allow for replacing any other type of factory installed vehicle systems which communicate status messages with a vehicle main computer with different aftermarket products where a novel module can be used that prevents dashboard warning messages and warning indicators lights from being activated or that the original systems have been replaced with like type systems. The invention can include methods, systems and devices that allow for replacing factory installed vehicle systems which communicate status messages with a vehicle main computer with other types different aftermarket products that use module to continuously send automated messages to an onboard vehicle computer that the original factory installed vehicle systems are still running and are operational without any problems or that the original factory installed systems have been replaced with like type systems.

(34) While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shown in various terms of certain embodiments or modifications which it has presumed in practice, the scope of the invention is not intended to be, nor should it be deemed to be, limited thereby and such other modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved especially as they fall within the breadth and scope of the claims here appended.