A load sensor having a centrally disposed aperture element through which a fastening element of a vehicle air suspension assembly passes to affix the load sensor between the vehicle air suspension assembly and the vehicle suspension, wherein the load sensor has a force measurement sensor disposed proximate an elongate slot to generate a load signal which varies based on an amount of strain in the load sensor, wherein the load signal received by a load calculator allows calculation of the load exerted from the vehicle frame to the vehicle suspension.

A collision mitigation system makes use of ladar sensors to identify obstacles and to predict unavoidable collisions therewith, and a duplex radio link in communication with secondary vehicles, and a number of external airbags deployable under the control of an airbag control unit, to reduce the forces of impact on the host vehicle, secondary vehicles, and bipeds and quadrupeds wandering into the roadway. A suspension modification system makes use of ladar sensors to identify road hazards, and make adaptations to a number of active suspension components, each with the ability to absorb shock, elevate or lower the vehicle, and adjust the spring rate of the individual wheel suspensions.

A collision mitigation system makes use of ladar sensors to identify obstacles and to predict unavoidable collisions therewith, and a duplex radio link in communication with secondary vehicles, and a number of external airbags deployable under the control of an airbag control unit, to reduce the forces of impact on the host vehicle, secondary vehicles, and bipeds and quadrupeds wandering into the roadway. A suspension modification system makes use of ladar sensors to identify road hazards, and make adaptations to a number of active suspension components, each with the ability to absorb shock, elevate or lower the vehicle, and adjust the spring rate of the individual wheel suspensions.

A suspension monitoring and adjustment system for an off-road vehicle includes a distance sensor arranged to measure shock displacement of a suspension of the vehicle. The system may include an output device configured to output shock displacement data generated by the distance sensor and a processor or programmable circuit operable to produce a visual representation of the shock displacement data output by the output device. The system may include a processor or programmable circuit operable to generate an adjustment signal based on shock displacement data generated by the distance sensor and a suspension adjuster arranged to adjust the suspension of the vehicle in response to the adjustment signal.

A shock absorber for a vehicle, the shock absorber having an absorber body with an outer surface, and a movable piston having a first end configured to couple with the vehicle, and a second end disposed within the absorber body. There is a magnet assembly disposed around and external of the movable piston at the second end. The absorber has a sensor assembly having a sensor body coupled with the outer surface. An inner sensor body has a sensor disposed therein configured to detect a change in a linear position of the magnet assembly.

The invention relates to a method for controlling the driving dynamics of a vehicle by means of dampers, wherein the vehicle comprises at least two axles, which each have at least two wheels including dampers, and wherein the method has the following control:

a) Obtaining a target driving dynamics variable;

b) determining a control deviation using the target driving dynamics variable and an actual driving dynamics variable;

c) Changing the damper force of at least one damper according to the control deviation;

d) Updating and feeding back the actual driving dynamics variable to once again determine the control deviation when the damper force changes.

A vehicle suspension control apparatus includes a mode determination device that determines a mode of a shock absorber for a vehicle, corresponding to an identified speed bump, when the speed bump is identified in front of the vehicle, a suspension control amount calculation device that calculates an amount of suspension control for passing over the speed bump, based on the determined mode of the shock absorber, and a controller that controls a suspension of the vehicle based on the calculated amount of suspension control.

A vehicle suspension control apparatus includes a mode determination device that determines a mode of a shock absorber for a vehicle, corresponding to an identified speed bump, when the speed bump is identified in front of the vehicle, a suspension control amount calculation device that calculates an amount of suspension control for passing over the speed bump, based on the determined mode of the shock absorber, and a controller that controls a suspension of the vehicle based on the calculated amount of suspension control.

A modular electronic damping control system is described and includes a damping component located at a vehicle suspension location. The modular electronic damping control system also includes a control system configured to control the damping component, and determine the type of damping component present. Also, the control system is configured to automatically tune a vehicle's suspension based on the type of damping component present, and automatically monitor the damping component and determine when a change has been made to the damping component so that the control system can then automatically re-tune the vehicle's suspension based on the change to the damping component.

A twist beam for a suspension of a motor vehicle comprises a body-side inner part having a bearing-receiving section for receiving a body-side bearing, and a wheel carrier-side outer part having a bearing-receiving section for receiving a wheel carrier-side bearing, the outer part and the inner part being separate components which are made of different materials and are firmly connected to each other.