A stopped vehicle height of an air suspension for a stop-side wheel on a side that stops first is determined in consideration of a vehicle height that changes in accordance with a vehicle height change of the air suspension for a supply/discharge-side wheel on another side after a stop. Thus, when vehicle height adjustment of the air suspension for the supply/discharge-side wheel is finished, the stopped vehicle height of the air suspension for the stop-side wheel can be adjusted to the vicinity of a target value and the precision in the vehicle height adjustment can be increased.

A method for controlling an air suspension system of a vehicle includes: a) determining a bellows pressure-time characteristic curve for air admission to and release from the bellows of one air spring or the bellows of a plurality of air springs, the characteristic curve being normalized with the value of a supply pressure in a reservoir for compressed air, b) sensor measurement of a current pressure in the spring bellows of the air springs as well as the current supply pressure immediately before air admission thereto or air release therefrom, c) determining, from the normalized characteristic curve, the opening duration for the associated shutoff valve using the ratio of the measured bellows pressure to the measured supply pressure and the ratio of the provided target pressure to the measured supply pressure, d) opening the associated shutoff valve for the determined opening duration in order to set the provided target pressure.

A method of setting the rides height of the air springs and air pressures of the tires, including receiving a user selected setting or preprogrammed ride height settings; sensing a ride height of, and air pressure within, each of the air springs; determining the weight of the vehicle based on the sensed ride height and air pressure within each of the air springs; providing specified ride heights for the left and right front and rear air springs; determining specified air pressures for the left and right front and rear tire inflators, based upon the determined weight of the vehicle and selected setting; inflating the left and right front and rear air springs to the specified ride heights; and inflating the left and right front and rear tires to the specified air pressures.

A vehicle includes an electric actuator disposed outside a vehicle body, a battery 16 and a boosting circuit which supply a high voltage to the electric actuator, and an electric suspension control ECU which controls the boosting circuit and the electric actuator, and in a case where a running speed is equal to or less than a first speed, the electric suspension control ECU limits the supply of the high voltage to the electric actuator.

A vehicle includes an acceleration sensor detecting collision, an electric actuator disposed outside a vehicle body, a battery and a boosting circuit supplying a high voltage to the electric actuator, and an electric suspension control ECU controlling the boosting circuit and the electric actuator, and in a case where the acceleration sensor detects the collision, the electric suspension control ECU limits the supply of the high voltage to the electric actuator.

An electric suspension apparatus includes an electric actuator mounted in a vehicle, the electric actuator being driven with a motor, a voltage determination unit determining whether an electromotive force generated by the motor is equal to or more than a predetermined voltage in a state where regenerative power is generated in the motor, and an instruction unit short-circuiting the motor in a case where the voltage determination unit determines that the electromotive force generated by the motor is equal to or more than the predetermined voltage.

A vehicle includes a high voltage component such as an electric actuator, an electric suspension control ECU, a battery, a signal line which transmits, to the electric suspension control ECU, a detection signal of a sensor disposed in the electric actuator, a high voltage line which supplies a high voltage from the battery to the electric actuator, and a fixing member which fixes the signal line and the high voltage line to a vehicle body, a length of the signal line from the fixing member to the electric actuator is shorter than a length of the high voltage line from the fixing member to the electric actuator, and the electric suspension control ECU suppresses the supply of the high voltage to the electric actuator, in a case where abnormality occurs in the signal line.

A hydraulic suspension system controller is disclosed, comprising a controller in operable communication with a hydraulic system of a vehicle. The controller includes at least one display, at least one indicator, and a plurality of buttons, wherein each button corresponds to a function of the controller, and wherein each function effects the hydraulic system to raise and lower at least one of a plurality of solenoids each in operable communication with a hydraulic actuator to extend or contract the hydraulic actuator. A fail-safe module is in operable communication with the controller, the fail-safe module receiving a plurality of signals from a sensor array to monitor the hydraulic system.

A performance-variable bushing includes an inner support element and an outer support element. An elastomeric connecting element extends between and operatively connect the inner and outer support elements such that a substantially fluid-tight seal is formed therebetween. The elastomeric connecting element can be at least partially formed from one of an electrorheological elastomeric material and a magnetorheological elastomeric material. The performance-variable bushing includes a variation-inducing element operatively associated with the elastomeric connecting element and selectively operable to vary values of one or more physical properties of the elastomeric connecting element. The elastomeric connecting element is configured for use under a pre-load force from pressurized gas within a spring chamber of an associated gas spring and damper assembly. Gas spring and damper assemblies and suspension systems are also included.

A damper includes an inner tube. The damper includes a piston slidably disposed within the inner tube. The piston defines a first working chamber and a second working chamber within the inner tube. The damper also includes an outer tube disposed around the inner tube. The outer tube defines an outer chamber between the inner tube and the outer tube. The damper further includes a cover member mounted on an outer surface of the outer tube. The cover member defines a collector chamber between the outer tube and the cover member. The damper includes a first control valve mounted on the cover member. The damper also includes a second control valve mounted on the cover member and spaced apart from the first control valve.