A booster for a trailer system is provided comprising a control system in communication with a sensor(s) for determining the direction and speed of the booster when in motion. The control system comprises instructions corresponding to one or more booster operations such as: detection of a reverse state, retraction of a suspension system when the reverse state is detected; engagement of a steer axle lock when the reverse state is detected; detection of a forward state; extension of the suspension system when the forward state is detected; disengagement of the steer axle lock when the forward state is detected; detection of a high-speed forward state; engagement of the steer axle lock when the high-speed forward state is detected; detection of a low-speed forward state; and disengagement of the steer axle lock when the low-speed forward state is detected.

A control method of a vehicle includes determining a look-ahead time, calculating a predicted passage position by using specific vehicle information having at least a position of a wheel at the current time point, velocity of the vehicle, and the proceeding direction of the vehicle, acquiring a road surface displacement-associated value at the predicted passage position, calculating a final target control force based on the road surface displacement-associated value at the predicted passage position, and controlling a control force generator based on the final target control force.

A ramp-equipped vehicle includes: a vehicle-height adjusting mechanism configured to adjust a vehicle height of a vehicle; a ramp configured to be movable between a deployed state and a stored state, the deployed state being a state where the ramp protrudes outwardly from the vehicle, the stored state being a state where the ramp is stored inside the vehicle; and a camera configured to detect a person coming closer to the vehicle. When the camera detects a person coming closer to a doorway of the vehicle during vehicle height adjustment by the vehicle-height adjusting mechanism, the vehicle height adjustment by the vehicle-height adjusting mechanism is interrupted.

A suspension damping device installed at a chassis of a mobile robot comprises a vehicle frame, a controlling arm set and a damping device. The vehicle frame is fixed to the chassis and arranged on the ground. One end of the controlling arm set is hinged to the vehicle frame, and the other end of the controlling arm set is hinged to a steering device, so the controlling arm set controls the motion stability of the steering device. One end of the damping device opposite to the ground is hinged to the vehicle frame, and the other end of the damping device faced to the ground is hinged to the steering device. A six-wheeled bionic chassis which comprises a chassis frame, a controller, a sensor, front wheel suspension assemblies, middle wheel suspension assemblies and rear wheel suspension assemblies is also disclosed in the present invention.

A suspension element includes a housing, a first joint, and a second joint. The housing is configured to couple a tractive element assembly to a vehicle. The housing has a first end configured to engage a portion of the vehicle and a second end configured to interface with the tractive element assembly. The first joint includes a first actuator and a first resilient member. The first actuator is configured to facilitate linear extension and retraction of the suspension element. The second joint includes a second actuator and a second resilient member. The second actuator is configured to facilitate rotational movement of the suspension element. The first resilient member and the second resilient member are configured to support a static load of the vehicle.

A control system (400) is provided for an adjustable suspension of a vehicle (100). The adjustable suspension is operable in at least two different configurations. The control system is configured to receive route data (110) indicative of an expected route of the vehicle, receive map data (120) comprising road type information for a road section of the expected route, and output a switch signal to instruct the adjustable suspension (104) to switch between the two different configurations in dependence on the expected route and the road type information, before the vehicle (100) reaches the road section.

A control method of a vehicle includes determining a look-ahead time, calculating a predicted passage position by using specific vehicle information having at least a position of a wheel at the current time point, velocity of the vehicle, and the proceeding direction of the vehicle, acquiring a road surface displacement-associated value at the predicted passage position, calculating a final target control force based on the road surface displacement-associated value at the predicted passage position, and controlling a control force generator based on the final target control force.

A hydraulic active suspension flow control system includes a hydraulic oil tank, a variable displacement pump with an oil suction port communicating with the hydraulic oil tank, a check valve, a servo valve, a suspension cylinder controlled by the servo valve, an engine revolution speed sensor configured to detect an engine revolution speed, a vehicle speed sensor configured to detect a vehicle speed, an oil pressure sensor configured to detect an accumulator outlet pressure, a flow controller configured to control displacement of the variable displacement pump by receiving data from the engine revolution speed sensor, the vehicle speed sensor and the oil pressure sensor, and a relief valve connected to the check valve in parallel and provided at an oil outlet of the variable displacement pump. The variable displacement pump is connected to an engine through a clutch; and an accumulator is connected between the servo valve and the check valve.

Systems and methods for determining the location of a vehicle are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for localizing a vehicle includes driving over a first road segment, identifying by a first localization system a set of candidate road segments, obtaining vertical motion data while driving over the first road segment, comparing the obtained vertical motion data to reference vertical motion data associated with at least one candidate road segment, and identifying, based on the comparison, a location of the vehicle. The use of such localization methods and systems in coordination with various advanced vehicle systems such as, for example, active suspension systems or autonomous driving features, is contemplated.

A suspension element includes a housing, a first joint, and a second joint. The housing is configured to couple a tractive element assembly to a vehicle. The housing has a first end configured to engage a portion of the vehicle and a second end configured to interface with the tractive element assembly. The first joint includes a first actuator and a first resilient member. The first actuator is configured to facilitate linear extension and retraction of the suspension element. The second joint includes a second actuator and a second resilient member. The second actuator is configured to facilitate rotational movement of the suspension element. The first resilient member and the second resilient member are configured to support a static load of the vehicle.