A control method includes calculating a roll angle and a roll angular velocity of a vehicle, setting damping forces applied to front and rear wheel dampers to execute first and second modes according to signs of the roll angle and roll angular velocity, and controlling the front and rear wheel dampers in consideration of the damping forces. Upon determination that the signs of the roll angle and the roll angular velocity are different, in the first mode, damping force greater than front wheel reference force and damping force smaller than rear wheel reference force are set to be applied to the front wheel dampers and the rear wheel dampers, respectively, and in the second mode, damping force smaller than the front wheel reference force and damping force greater than the rear wheel reference force are set to be applied to the front wheel dampers and the rear wheel dampers, respectively.

A damping control system includes: a damping chamber connected to one of (a) a body of a vehicle and (b) a wheel of the vehicle; a piston that is slidably disposed within the damping chamber and that includes: a piston rod that is connected to the other one of (a) the body of the vehicle and (b) the wheel of the vehicle; and a plunger that is connected to the piston rod and that divides the damping chamber into a first chamber and a second chamber; a first valve that regulates hydraulic fluid flow out of the first chamber; and a valve control module configured to selectively close the first valve when a position of the plunger is between (a) a first reference position within the first chamber and (b) a first end stop of the damping chamber that defines a boundary of the first chamber.

A wireless active suspension system is disclosed. The system includes at least one sensor mounted to an unsprung mass of a vehicle, the sensor having a low power wireless communication capability, the at least one sensor to send a sensor data transmission. The system also includes a controller in wireless communication with the at least one sensor, wherein the controller receives the sensor data from the at least one sensor and communicates an adjustment command to modify at least one damping characteristic of at least one damper.

A suspension system and associated control methods for improving comfort by disabling passive pitch stiffness in the suspension system by holding open electromechanical comfort valves positioned in a manifold assembly of the suspension system. The manifold comfort valves are held open to disable the passive pitch stiffness of the suspension system if the vehicle is traveling down a rough road or if the vehicle is approaching a discrete road event like a pot-hole or speed bump. Deactivation of the passive pitch stiffness of the suspension system is determined based on road classification information, saved road events, and/or real-time vehicle data from on-board sensors. The suspension system therefore reduces pitch angles during pitch events induced by inertial forces caused by driver inputs and disables the pitch stiffness when the pitch event is caused by road inputs.

A suspension apparatus includes a first extension-side damping valve provided in the first flow path; a first contraction-side damping valve provided in the first flow path in parallel with the first extension-side damping valve; a second extension-side damping valve provided in the second flow path; a second contraction-side damping valve provided in the second flow path in parallel with the second extension-side damping valve; a first damping valve configured to impart resistance to the flow of fluid from the first flow path to the first accumulator; a first check valve disposed in parallel with the first damping valve; a second damping valve configured to impart resistance to the flow of fluid from the second flow path to the second accumulator; and a second check valve disposed in parallel with the second damping valve.

A method for controlling vehicle motion is described. The method includes accessing a set of control signals including a measured vehicle speed value associated with a movement of a vehicle. A control signal associated with user-induced input is also accessed. The method compares the measured vehicle speed value with a predetermined vehicle speed threshold value to achieve a speed value threshold approach status, and then compares the set of values to achieve a user-induced input threshold value approach status. The method monitors a state of a valve within the vehicle suspension damper, and determines a control mode for the vehicle suspension damper. The method also regulates damping forces within the vehicle suspension damper.

A method for controlling vehicle motion is described. The method includes accessing a set of control signals including a measured vehicle speed value associated with a movement of a vehicle. A control signal associated with user-induced input is also accessed. The method compares the measured vehicle speed value with a predetermined vehicle speed threshold value to achieve a speed value threshold approach status, and then compares the set of values to achieve a user-induced input threshold value approach status. The method monitors a state of a valve within the vehicle suspension damper, and determines a control mode for the vehicle suspension damper. The method also regulates damping forces within the vehicle suspension damper.

A method for controlling vehicle motion is described. The method includes accessing a set of control signals including a measured vehicle speed value associated with a movement of a vehicle. A control signal associated with user-induced input is also accessed. The method compares the measured vehicle speed value with a predetermined vehicle speed threshold value to achieve a speed value threshold approach status, and then compares the set of values to achieve a user-induced input threshold value approach status. The method monitors a state of a valve within the vehicle suspension damper, and determines a control mode for the vehicle suspension damper. The method also regulates damping forces within the vehicle suspension damper.

A shock absorber system can includes a shock tube and a piston slidably mated to an end of the shock tube. The system can include a heat sink reservoir. The heat sink reservoir can be connected to the shock tube via a valved fluid connection. The valved fluid connection can limit or permit fluid flow from the shock tube to the heat sink reservoir depending on fluid velocity and/or pressure.

A method for controlling vehicle motion is described. The method includes accessing a set of control signals including a measured vehicle speed value associated with a movement of a vehicle. A control signal associated with user-induced input is also accessed. The method compares the measured vehicle speed value with a predetermined vehicle speed threshold value to achieve a speed value threshold approach status, and then compares the set of values to achieve a user-induced input threshold value approach status. The method monitors a state of a valve within the vehicle suspension damper, and determines a control mode for the vehicle suspension damper. The method also regulates damping forces within the vehicle suspension damper.