Patent classifications
B60G17/0155
Concurrent leveling system for a vehicle
A concurrent leveling system includes a pressurized air source. A manifold block, having a body defining an air feed inlet, is disposed between air springs and the pressurized air source. The body includes front and rear suspension valves. Each of the suspension valves defines a suspension valve orifice having a first predetermined diameter. The body includes at least one restrictor valve parallel to and in fluid communication with the front suspension valves. The at least one restrictor valve includes a first check valve and a first blocker valve orifice defining a first orifice diameter. The first check valve and the first blocker valve orifice are disposed parallel to one another and in series with the front suspension valves and in fluid communication with the air feed inlet and the front suspension valves for reducing fluid back flow to allow the vehicle to be lowered in nominal loading conditions.
Systems and methods for adapting tractive elements to a disabling event
A vehicle includes a chassis, a first tractive assembly coupled to the chassis, a second tractive assembly coupled to the chassis, and a controller. The first tractive assembly includes a first tractive element and a first actuator coupled to the first tractive element and configured to move the first tractive element relative to the chassis. The second tractive assembly includes a second tractive element and a second actuator coupled to the second tractive element and configured to move the second tractive element relative to the chassis. The controller is operatively coupled to the first actuator and the second actuator and configured to control at least one of the first actuator and the second actuator to raise the second tractive element with respect to the first tractive element in response to an indication that the second tractive element is disabled.
METHOD FOR OPERATING AN AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM, AND AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM
A method for operating an electronically controllable air suspension system of a vehicle comprises determining a first pressure value in a first air spring which is assigned to a first axle of the motor vehicle, and determining a second pressure value in a second air spring which is assigned to a second axle of the motor vehicle. A differential pressure value is calculated therefrom. A first nominal value for the air volume flow as a function of the differential pressure value is determined. At least one first air spring valve assigned to the first air spring is actuated so that the first nominal value for the air volume flow is set by the first air spring valve.
APPARATUS FOR AND METHOD OF ESTIMATING VEHICLE WEIGHT BY USING VEHICLE HEIGHT ADJUSTING DEVICE
An apparatus for estimating vehicle weight using a vehicle height adjusting device is provided. The apparatus includes a vehicle height adjusting device that raises or lowers four positions of front left (FL) and right (FR) sides and rear left (RL) and right (RR) sides of a vehicle body, respectively. A vehicle height controller operates the vehicle height adjusting device to raise or lower the FL and FR sides and the RL and RR sides of the vehicle body. A weight estimating unit measures time required for raising or lowering the vehicle body or operating speed of the vehicle body and calculates an expected vehicle weight value by comparing the time required or the operating speed with a preset reference data.
ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED VEHICLE SUSPENSION SYSTEM AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE
An air suspension system, comprising a manifold, defining a first and second port, each port defining a receiving region at the second end, wherein the first and second ports are arranged in a common plane, a channel intersecting the first and second port, a cavity intersecting each port, and a pressure sensor port, positioned between the first and second port, defining a sensor insertion axis normal to the common plane, the pressure sensor port separated from the first port, the second port, and the channel by a thickness; a first and second solenoid valve, each solenoid valve arranged within the cavity and coaxially arranged with the first and second ports, each solenoid valve comprising a connector; a pressure sensor arranged within the pressure sensor port, the pressure sensor comprising a connector; and an electronics module arranged parallel the common plane, the electronics module configured to electrically couple to the connectors.
In-vehicle compression device
An in-vehicle compression device includes: a compressor including a cylinder and a piston that is slidably provided inside the cylinder and defines a compression chamber; a linear motor including a movable element reciprocatably connected to the piston; and a controller configured to control driving of the linear motor. The in-vehicle compression device is configured to supply a working fluid compressed in the compression chamber to a pressure device provided in a vehicle. The controller is configured to variably adjust a stroke of the piston according to a state of the vehicle.
ADJUSTABLE SUSPENSION FOR A VEHICLE
A system for dynamically managing individual suspension settings for a vehicle based on a determined suspension mode is provided. Based on the user input and obtained sensor input, the system can then determine a suspension mode for a plurality of individually controllable components by specifying values or commands for each controllable component. A first mode may correspond to a lowering of the plurality of controllable. A second mode may correspond to lowering two controllable components corresponding to the rear wheels of the vehicle and raising two controllable components corresponding to front wheels of the vehicle. A third mode may correspond to a lowering of the plurality of controllable components to effectively drop the height of the vehicle to a threshold point. The system may further implement various validation processes that can validate the determined suspension mode and make further adjustment to individual controllable portions based on load or ground measurements.
VEHICLE SUSPENSION SYSTEM WITH REMOTE ACTUATION
A suspension system for controlling movement of a vehicle wheel may include a spring and damper assembly coupling the wheel to the vehicle chassis for movement of the wheel relative to the vehicle chassis. The spring and damper assembly may include a spring coupled to a damper member configured to extend and retract the wheel relative to the vehicle chassis. The suspension system may further include a damper actuator located remotely from the spring and damper assembly and configured to modify an amount of damping and/or wheel extension. The suspension system may also include a spring actuator integrated with the damper actuator and configured to control an amount of deflection of the spring and/or to alter a spring rate. The damper actuator may be provided at a location in the vehicle separated from the spring and damper assembly.
BUMP STOP ASSEMBLY
An apparatus includes at least one pressurized air source, at least one switching valve is in fluid communication with the pressurized air source, and at least one bump stop assembly is in fluid communication with the at least one switching valve. The at least one bump stop assembly includes a body member that at least partially defines a pressure chamber that is in fluid communication with the at least one pressurized air source. A bump stop contact member is coupled to the pressure chamber. A controller is configured to vary a fluid pressure within the pressure chamber in response to an input from at least one vehicle sensor.
User selected settings for vehicle with pneumatic suspension and tire inflation system
A method of setting the rides height of the air springs and air pressures of the tires, including receiving a user selected setting or preprogrammed ride height settings; sensing a ride height of, and air pressure within, each of the air springs; determining the weight of the vehicle based on the sensed ride height and air pressure within each of the air springs; providing specified ride heights for the left and right front and rear air springs; determining specified air pressures for the left and right front and rear tire inflators, based upon the determined weight of the vehicle and selected setting; inflating the left and right front and rear air springs to the specified ride heights; and inflating the left and right front and rear tires to the specified air pressures.