A vehicle vibration control system includes: a buffer mechanism that is disposed between a wheel and a vehicle body and capable of adjusting buffer performance as a function of reducing vibration input to the vehicle body from the wheel; a weight detection unit that detects the weight of the vehicle body; a traveling position detection unit that detects the traveling position of the vehicle body; and a control device that controls the buffer performance of the buffer mechanism. The control device acquires a driving pattern in which the traveling position of the vehicle body and the buffer performance were set, on the basis of the weight of the vehicle body, and controls the buffer performance of the buffer mechanism on the basis of the acquired driving pattern and a result detected in the traveling position detection unit.

An apparatus includes at least one pressurized air source, at least one switching valve is in fluid communication with the pressurized air source, and at least one bump stop assembly is in fluid communication with the at least one switching valve. The at least one bump stop assembly includes a body member that at least partially defines a pressure chamber that is in fluid communication with the at least one pressurized air source. A bump stop contact member is coupled to the pressure chamber. A controller is configured to vary a fluid pressure within the pressure chamber in response to an input from at least one vehicle sensor.

A method and apparatus are disclosed for cooling damping fluid in a vehicle suspension damper unit. A damping unit includes a piston mounted in a fluid cylinder. A bypass fluid circuit having an integrated cooling assembly disposed therein is fluidly coupled to the fluid cylinder at axial locations that, at least at one point in the piston stroke, are located on opposite sides of the piston. The cooling assembly may include a cylinder having cooling fins thermally coupled to an exterior surface of the cylinder and made of a thermally conductive material. The bypass channel may include a check valve that permits fluid flow in only one direction through the bypass channel. The check valve may be remotely operated, either manually or automatically by an electronic controller. A vehicle suspension system may implement one or more damper units throughout the vehicle, controlled separately or collectively, automatically or manually.

A self-contained pneumatic anti-sway assist vehicle body roll control system to supplement existing vehicle suspension by means of sharing load support primary and secondary volumetric gas chamber pressures for soft ride over normal, level road surfaces; then by blocking said secondary gas chambers at load side of vehicle to summarily increase spring rate within its primary load support gas chamber for increased vehicle body suspension support during lateral forces encountered with right and left turns and/or with vehicle body lean when off-camber.

In one embodiment, one or more suspension systems of a vehicle may be used to mitigate motion sickness by limiting motion in one or more frequency ranges. In another embodiment, an active suspension may be integrated with an autonomous vehicle architecture. In yet another embodiment, the active suspension system of a vehicle may be used to induce motion in a vehicle. The vehicle may be used as a testbed for technical investigations and/or as a platform to enhance the enjoyment of video and/or audio by vehicle occupants. In some embodiments, the active suspensions system may be used to perform gestures as a means of communication with persons inside or outside the vehicle. In some embodiments, the active suspensions system may be used to generate haptic warnings to a vehicle operator or other persons in response to certain road situations.

A physical quantity detection circuit includes a physical quantity signal generation circuit that generates a physical quantity signal according to magnitude of a physical quantity based on a detection signal output from a physical quantity detection element, an abnormality determination circuit that determines whether or not the physical quantity detection element is potentially abnormal based on a value of the physical quantity signal and an amount of change of the value of the physical quantity signal, and an abnormality diagnostic circuit that diagnoses whether or not the physical quantity detection element is abnormal if the abnormality determination circuit determines that the physical quantity detection element is potentially abnormal.

A physical quantity sensor includes: a base; wiring disposed in the base; a support that includes a first bonded surface bonded to the base and a second bonded surface bonded to the wiring; a suspension beam connected to the support; and an electrode finger supported by the suspension beam. The support is located between the first bonded surface and the suspension beam and includes a first overhang separated from the base.

A method and apparatus are disclosed for cooling damping fluid in a vehicle suspension damper unit. A damping unit includes a piston mounted in a fluid cylinder. A bypass fluid circuit having an integrated cooling assembly disposed therein is fluidly coupled to the fluid cylinder at axial locations that, at least at one point in the piston stroke, are located on opposite sides of the piston. The cooling assembly may include a cylinder having cooling fins thermally coupled to an exterior surface of the cylinder and made of a thermally conductive material. The bypass channel may include a check valve that permits fluid flow in only one direction through the bypass channel. The check valve may be remotely operated, either manually or automatically by an electronic controller. A vehicle suspension system may implement one or more damper units throughout the vehicle, controlled separately or collectively, automatically or manually.

A stability control system that detects a change in a vehicle operating characteristic and sends a stabilizing command to an actuator system based on identifying the change is described. The actuator system applies a first magnetic field having a predetermined strength to an electropermanent magnet for a predetermined duration based on receiving the stabilizing command. The first magnetic field transitions the electropermanent magnet from a first state to a second state. The electropermanent magnet generates a second magnetic field in the second state. The second magnetic field modifies at least one of a spring constant or a mechanical resistance of a suspension component within a suspension system of the vehicle, and the electropermanent magnet retains the second state after the predetermined duration in absence of the first magnetic field.

A method and apparatus are disclosed for cooling damping fluid in a vehicle suspension damper unit. A damping unit includes a piston mounted in a fluid cylinder. A bypass fluid circuit having an integrated cooling assembly disposed therein is fluidly coupled to the fluid cylinder at axial locations that, at least at one point in the piston stroke, are located on opposite sides of the piston. The cooling assembly may include a cylinder having cooling fins thermally coupled to an exterior surface of the cylinder and made of a thermally conductive material. The bypass channel may include a check valve that permits fluid flow in only one direction through the bypass channel. The check valve may be remotely operated, either manually or automatically by an electronic controller. A vehicle suspension system may implement one or more damper units throughout the vehicle, controlled separately or collectively, automatically or manually.