A method of automatically adjusting the ride height of a vehicle each time the vehicle is in a particular location is provided, where the automatic ride height adjustment is based on location and ride height information previously gathered from a user.

A damping control system for a vehicle having a suspension located between a plurality of ground engaging members and a vehicle frame includes at least one adjustable shock absorber having an adjustable damping characteristic. The system also includes a controller coupled to each adjustable shock absorber to adjust the damping characteristic of each adjustable shock absorber, and a user interface coupled to the controller and accessible to a driver of the vehicle. The user interface includes at least one user input to permit manual adjustment of the damping characteristic of the at least one adjustable shock absorber during operation of the vehicle. Vehicle sensors are also be coupled to the controller to adjust the damping characteristic of the at least one adjustable shock absorber based vehicle conditions determined by sensor output signals.

Disclosed is a low cost air suspension adjustment system that employs a visible height indicator. The combination of an externally-viewable suspension height green zone or desired height indicator and automatic pressure control enables a low-cost simple height adjustment system. The height adjustment system of the present invention includes a PCU which can be a module that houses an ECU (electronic control unit with a microprocessor), at least one solenoid valve 16, a pressure sensor 18 and a remote control device to instruct the ECU.

A method and apparatus are disclosed that assist a user in performing proper setup of a vehicle suspension. A user may utilize a device equipped with an image sensor to assist the user in proper setup of a vehicle suspension. The device executes an application that prompts the user for input and instructs the user to perform a number of steps for adjusting the suspension components. In one embodiment, the application does not communicate with sensors on the vehicle. In another embodiment, the application may communicate with various sensors located on the vehicle to provide feedback to the device during the setup routine. In one embodiment, the device may analyze a digital image of a suspension component to provide feedback about a physical characteristic of the component.

A powered weight distribution system is provided for a vehicle having a platform on which a load is supported. The powered weight distribution system includes a shiftable axle assembly. The shiftable axle assembly includes a drivable axle and a frame supporting the drivable axle. The frame is configured to be supported on the platform. The frame is switchable between a locked configuration in which the frame is fixed relative to the platform and an unlocked configuration in which the frame is shiftable relative to the platform. The shiftable axle assembly further includes a powering element configured to rotatably drive the drivable axle, such that the frame and the drivable axle shift relative to the platform when the frame is in the unlocked configuration and the drivable axle is rotated by the powering element.

An approach is provided for location-aware wheel camber settings. The approach involves, for example, collecting tire temperature data, wheel camber data, and location data from one or more sensors of a plurality of vehicles. The approach also involves processing the tire temperature data, wheel camber data, and location data to determine a target wheel camber for a road segment indicated by the location data. The target wheel camber is determined from one or more observed wheel cambers indicated in the wheel camber data. The target wheel camber is also associated with a target tire temperature indicated in the tire temperature data. The approach further involves storing the target wheel camber as an attribute of map data associated with the road segment.

A method and apparatus are disclosed that assist a user in performing proper setup of a vehicle suspension. A user may utilize a device equipped with an image sensor to assist the user in proper setup of a vehicle suspension. The device executes an application that prompts the user for input and instructs the user to perform a number of steps for adjusting the suspension components. In one embodiment, the application does not communicate with sensors on the vehicle. In another embodiment, the application may communicate with various sensors located on the vehicle to provide feedback to the device during the setup routine. In one embodiment, the device may analyze a digital image of a suspension component to provide feedback about a physical characteristic of the component.

A spring and damping arrangement for adjusting the spring rate and the driving position of a motorcycle includes a series circuit having at least one helical spring, an air spring unit, and a hydraulic actuating element. The spring rate of the air spring unit is changeable as a function of a force acting from the outside on the spring and damping arrangement, such that the driving position change resulting from the applied force is compensated by the hydraulic loading of the hydraulic actuating element, such that a defined driving position can be adjusted or maintained.

A damping control system for a vehicle having a suspension located between a plurality of ground engaging members and a vehicle frame includes at least one adjustable shock absorber having an adjustable damping profile.

A device for indicating a replacement time of a composite leaf spring constantly monitors durability of the composite leaf spring, which is formed by mixing unidirectional glass fiber and epoxy resin, and informs a driver of an appropriate replacement time of the composite leaf spring based on the monitoring result.