Vehicles and methods using center of gravity and mass shift control system

Abstract

A center of gravity (C/G) control system for a vehicle includes sensors to measure the center of gravity shift and mass shift of the human body in relation to the vehicle, a controller to determine outputs, a dynamically adjustable vehicle system, and a power supply. The sensor measures the direction and rate of shift of the center of gravity and mass shift of the human and creates a representative input signal. The controller determines the appropriate outputs in response to the relative center of gravity shift data received. The dynamically adjustable vehicle system receives the controller output and performs the expected action.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
   
   
       21 . A vehicle system for transporting a human body, comprising, a vehicle, said vehicle having a dynamic attached system for operation, a center of gravity position and mass shift sensing device for producing signals indicative of the direction and rate of change in said center of gravity position and mass shift of said human body relative to said vehicle, a control system device responsive to said signals for controlling an output to said dynamic attached system to improve one or more ride characteristics of said vehicle and wherein said dynamic attached system includes, singly or in multiple, front suspension, rear suspension, dual suspension, front brake, rear brake, front drive, rear drive, adjustable frame geometry, safety equipment, steering control, lean control, and power control. 
   
   
       22 . The vehicle system defined in  claim 21  wherein said control system converts said center of gravity and mass shift sensing device inputs into output signals. 
   
   
       23 . The vehicle system defined in  claim 21  wherein said center of gravity and mass shift sensing device is selected from mechanical sensors, accelerometers, strain gauges, gyroscopes capacitive extensiometers, inclinometers, load cells, pressure gauges, magnetic, optical, laser, sonar, ultrasonic, radio frequency, infrared, velocity, light emitting diodes, magnetic, altimeters, Hall's effect, user input switches, preprogrammed computer programs, voice, transducers, and satellite Global Positioning System. 
   
   
       24 . The vehicle system defined in  claim 21  wherein said center of gravity and mass shift sensing devices are selectively mounted:
 a) on the vehicle,   b) on the human body,   c) off the vehicle within communication distance for the device by wireless communication, or   d) a combination of the above.   
   
   
       25 . The vehicle system defined in  claim 21  wherein said dynamic attached system receives output signals via selected mechanical means, electrical means, hydraulic means, pneumatic means, and combinations thereof, from said control system. 
   
   
       26 . The vehicle system defined in  claim 21  wherein said vehicle has a center of gravity and mass shift sensing means signal output via selected mechanical means, electrical means, hydraulic means, pneumatic means, and combinations thereof, to said control system. 
   
   
       27 . The vehicle system defined in  claim 21  wherein said vehicle has a control system connected to the sensing device and processing the center of gravity and mass shift direction and rate of shift inputs to produce corresponding output signals for said dynamic attached system. 
   
   
       28 . The vehicle system in  claim 21  wherein said vehicle has a control system capable of preprogrammed input, sensor input, and manual input. 
   
   
       29 . A method for improving one or more ride characteristics of a payload transport vehicle, said payload having a center of gravity position and mass shift, comprising the steps of:
 a) sensing the direction of and rate of change in the center of gravity position and mass shift of said payload relative to said vehicle, wherein said center of gravity position and mass shift sensing is a device selected from mechanical sensors, accelerometers, strain gauges, gyroscopes, capacitive extensiometers, inclinometers, load cells, pressure gauges, magnetic, optical, laser, sonar, ultrasonic, infrared, radio frequency, velocity, light emitting diodes, magnetic, altimeters, Hall's Effect devices, user input switches, preprogrammed computer programs, voice transducers, satellite Global Positioning System, and combinations thereof.   b) producing output control signals indicative of the direction and rate of change in the center of gravity position and mass shift of payload relative to said vehicle; and   c) controlling one or more physical characteristics of said vehicle in response to said output control signals.   
   
   
       30 . A method for improving one or more ride characteristics for a vehicle transporting a payload comprising the steps of:
 a) obtaining from a set of sensors one or more signals denoting the position of the center of gravity of said payload, wherein said sensors are selectively located on the payload, or on the vehicle, or on a system external of the vehicle, or a combination thereof.   b) determining from said center of gravity signals a set of estimated absolute center of gravity shift value signals relative to the vehicle,   c) deriving an output control signal from said set of center of gravity shift value signals, and   d) applying the output control signal to a vehicle adjustment system selected from one or more of the following: front suspension, rear suspension, dual suspension, front brake, rear brake, front drive, rear drive, adjustable frame geometry, safety equipment, steering control, lean control, and power control to affect the ride characteristic.   
   
   
       31 . A payload transport vehicle having a ride characteristic adjustment mechanism wherein said ride characteristic adjustment mechanism includes, singly or in multiple, front suspension, rear suspension, dual suspension, front brake, rear brake, front drive, rear drive, adjustable frame geometry, safety equipment, steering control, and power control, said payload having a center of gravity position and mass, sensor apparatus for sensing the center of gravity position and mass shift of said payload relative to said vehicle and producing signals corresponding thereto and means coupling said signals to said ride adjustment mechanism to adjust the ride characteristic of said vehicle. 
   
   
       32 . A body transport vehicle, said body having a center of gravity position and an attached dynamic system, comprising:
 a) one or more sensors for sensing the direction of and rate of change in the center of gravity position shift of said body relative to said vehicle, wherein said one or more sensors is a device selected from mechanical sensors, accelerometers, strain gauges, gyroscopes, capacitive extensiometers, inclinometers, load cells, pressure gauges, magnetic, optical, laser, sonar, ultrasonic, infrared, radio frequency, velocity, light emitting diodes, magnetic, altimeters, Hall's Effect devices, user input switches, preprogrammed computer programs, voice transducers, satellite Global Positioning System, and combinations thereof   b) a signal generator for producing output control signals indicative of the direction and rate of change in the center of gravity position and mass shift of said body relative to said vehicle; and   c) one or more controllers for controlling one or more physical characteristics of said vehicle in response to said output control signals and wherein said attached dynamic system includes, singly or in multiple, one or more front suspension, rear suspension, dual suspension, front brake, rear brake, front drive, rear drive, adjustable frame geometry, safety equipment, steering control, lean control, and power control.