An air suspension system of a commercial vehicle comprises an electronic control device with a level control valve device. A valve element is coupled to a drive element mechanically coupled to a vehicle wheel or axle. In a first relative position of the valve element and a counter valve element, a port for an air suspension bellow is blocked. In a second relative position, the port for the air suspension bellow is connected to a port for an aeration device. In a third relative position, the port for the air suspension bellow is connected to a port for a deaeration device. Control logic generates a control signal for an actuator which, when a level change is set by an operator, correspondingly changes the relative position of the valve element and the counter valve element or the relative position of the counter valve element and a valve housing.

A load carrying vehicle including: a chassis; a load carrying container connected to the chassis; a plurality of wheels; a suspension arrangement coupling the wheels to the chassis; wherein the suspension arrangement is configured to controllably lower the container such that the container makes contact with at least two wheels.

A vehicle including a controlled vertical position chassis, in order to be able to be moved into a low position supported on the ground, and, associated with each wheel, a suspension arm, an arm actuator, and a safety device capable of limiting the accidental lowering of the chassis, the device being able to adopt an active state wherein the rotation of the suspension arm can be limited, the device including an actuator, a cylinder of which is mounted on the chassis and a piston of which is mounted on the suspension arm, or vice versa, the actuator defining a first chamber connected to a first and a second fluid passage through the cylinder, the second passage being connected to a first fluid pipe fitted with a safety valve.

Deployable step systems for accessing vehicle cargo spaces on vehicles equipped with a tailgate assembly having a door subassembly may include a bumper integrated step pad that is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position. In the stowed position, the step pad establishes a portion of the bumper, and in the deployed position, the step pad is rearward and vertically lowered relative to the bumper.

A transportable fire training apparatus includes a trailer frame having a rear raised section at a rear end of the trailer frame and an unraised section at a middle portion of the trailer frame, a shell attached to the trailer frame and partitioned into a plurality of training rooms, a rear multi-axle wheel set disposed below, and attached to, the rear raised section of the trailer frame via an air ride suspension system that raises the trailer frame relative to the a rear multi-axle wheel set in response to pressurization of the air ride suspension system. The unraised section of the trailer frame rides substantially above the ground when the air ride suspension system is in a pressurized state and rests on the ground when the air ride suspension system is in an unpressurized state. A method for deploying and using the transportable fire training apparatus is also disclosed herein.

A hybrid passenger vehicle includes a chassis supported by at least one front wheel and at least one rear wheel, a body coupled to the chassis including at least one door, and a vehicle floor coupled to the chassis. The body defines an interior space configured to be occupied by at least one passenger when operating the vehicle, and the vehicle floor has a front end and a rear end. A rear wall is coupled to the rear end of the vehicle floor such that the rear wall defines a rearmost boundary of the vehicle floor. A rear suspension assembly is coupled to the chassis. The rear wall is arc-shaped, and the rear suspension assembly is located rearward of the rear wall.

An emergency egress system for a multi-passenger vehicle such as a school bus (10) includes a housing (30) that operatively supports a ramp (34) in movable connection therewith. Opening an emergency exit door (18) of the bus causes a housing door (24) to open and the ramp to move outwardly from a retracted position toward an extended position. Opening the emergency exit door also causes the suspension of the bus to be automatically lowered to place the emergency exit opening (16) closer to the ground (166).

Improved passenger access and suspension systems for passenger buses, and controllers configured for use therewith; and passenger buses incorporating such systems and controllers. Integration of access ramp, door, suspension, charge interface, and other systems provides improvements in fully- or semi-automatic deployment of features such as passenger doors and ramps, and charge interface components, as well as navigation to passenger access points.

An autonomous tilting three-wheeled vehicle comprises a pair of front wheels coupled to a tiltable chassis by a mechanical linkage, such that the pair of wheels and the chassis are configured to tilt in unison with respect to a roll axis of the chassis. An electronic controller of the autonomous vehicle controls a tilt actuator to selectively tilt the chassis. Optionally, a steering actuator is coupled to the front wheels and controlled by the electronic controller to selectively steer the wheels. A sensor configured to measure orientation-dependent information may be coupled to the chassis by a gimbal configured to compensate for vehicle tilt. In some examples, the autonomous vehicle comprises an autonomous delivery robot.

A towable vehicle including a chassis, at least two wheels and a suspension assembly supporting each wheel. The suspension assembly includes a swing arm pivotally mounted to the chassis, an axle mounted proximate an end of the swing arm, the wheel being mounted on the axle, at least one shock absorber extending from the chassis to the swing arm, an airbag swing arm mounting pivotally coupled to the swing arm, an airbag chassis mounting coupled to the chassis, an airbag coupled to the airbag swing arm and airbag chassis mountings so that inflation of the airbag allows a suspension height to be adjusted over an operating range and a pivot arm pivotally mounted to the chassis and the airbag swing arm mounting to maintain an orientation of the airbag swing arm mounting over the operating range.