A compound control system for motor vehicles

The proposed control system comprises active or semi-active ride-control and anti-blocking system (ABS) and/or anti-slip control (ASC) components, with common sensors and common data-processing or control circuits. The invention calls for the processing circuits to determine a safety level, and for the control circuits to provide the ABS/ASC components and the ride-control system with control signals as a function of this safety level. These measures enable optimum use to be made of existing sensors and control units, as well as making it particularly simple to allow for the interdependence between road-surface irregularities and steering. A comfortable ride is obtained at all times, while still meeting all safety requirements, and there are also safety and speed benefits for the ABS/ASC system.