A sensory evaluation prediction system includes an input unit that reads an output from a behavior sensor that measures two or more types of pieces of time series information regarding a moving body, a selection unit that selects two or more types of physical quantities from the output from the behavior sensor read by the input unit, a correlation creation unit that creates information showing a correlation in time series between the two or more types of the physical quantities selected by the selection unit, and an evaluation circuit that calculates an evaluation value of a sensory index based on the information showing the correlation in time series.

Methods are provided for controlling various systems in a vehicle based on input signals from at least one physical sensor and at least one model of a vehicle or a portion of the vehicle. The controller a rely preferentially on one or the other inputs based on the frequency of a motion of the vehicle and the state of the vehicle or one or mor portions of the vehicle.

A method for determining an axle load and a suspension system are configured for a vehicle having at least one leaf spring connected at its ends in spring holders of a vehicle body and connected in its central region to a chassis of the vehicle. The following steps are performed: measuring a measurement distance of the vehicle body relative to the chassis; determining whether there is currently a loading or unloading process of the vehicle, determining a relevant hysteresis curve of a pre-stored hysteresis field depending on the determination of a loading or unloading process, and determining a current axle load projection value from the measurement distance and the relevant hysteresis curve. A loading process criterion and an unloading process criterion may be considered. The determined axle load projection value thus serves as a projected or estimated axle load. Furthermore, the hysteresis field can be updated.

A vehicle height control apparatus considering a strong wind traveling situation may include: a strong wind zone determining unit for obtaining wind speed information of a current position by using map information to which the wind speed information is corresponded and current position information of a vehicle, and generating strong wind zone information by comparing the obtained wind speed information with a predetermined reference wind speed to determine a strong wind zone; a strong wind traveling situation determining unit for generating strong wind traveling situation information by determining the strong wind traveling situation based on the strong wind zone information and the vehicle speed information of the current position; and a control signal generating unit for generating a control signal of a vehicle height adjusting device according to the strong wind traveling situation information.

A suspension controller includes a target current setting unit, a current limitation setting unit, a current outputting unit, a current detector, and an estimated temperature calculator. The target current setting unit sets a target current value. The current limitation setting unit sets a current limitation value. The current outputting unit supplies a solenoid with a current that is based on the target current value, the current limitation value, and a power supply voltage. The solenoid controls a damping force of a suspension. The current detector detects a current value of the current supplied to the solenoid. The estimated temperature calculator calculates an estimated temperature of the solenoid based on the current value detected by the current detector so that the current limitation setting unit changes the current limitation value based on the estimated temperature.

Methods and systems are provided for controlling a suspension system of a vehicle. In one embodiment, the method includes: receiving, by a processor, sensor data indicative of conditions of a roadway in a path of the vehicle; determining, by a processor, a continuous road profile based on the sensor data; and selectively controlling, by a processor, at least one suspension element of the vehicle based on the continuous road profile.

An apparatus and a method for controlling vehicle suspension, which controls a variable damper in consideration of virtual tire damping, may include a variable damper which is installed between a vehicle body and a wheel, a first acceleration sensor which is installed at each corner of the vehicle body to measure a vehicle body corner vertical acceleration, a second acceleration sensor which is installed to each wheel to measure a wheel vertical acceleration, and a controller that estimates a road surface roughness based on the vehicle body corner vertical acceleration and the wheel vertical acceleration, determines a virtual tire damping required damping force based on the estimated road surface roughness, and adjusts a damping force of the variable damper based on the determined virtual tire damping required damping force.

An apparatus and a method for controlling a vehicle suspension, may include a variable damper provided between a vehicle body and a wheel, a sensor that measures a vehicle body vertical acceleration and a wheel vertical acceleration, and a controller that estimates a road surface roughness based on the vehicle body vertical acceleration and the wheel vertical acceleration, predicts a road surface grade based on the estimated road surface roughness, and adjusts damping force of the variable damper corresponding to the predicted road surface grade.

A system and method are provided for configuring suspension ratios in a multi-rear axle vehicle, the vehicle having a drive axle suspension and at least one tag axle suspension, each suspension having one or more air springs. The timing of the performance of an adjustment cycle series of steps for adjusting the suspension height and air spring pressure readings is optimized by monitoring the acceleration of the vehicle and conducting the adjustment cycle steps when the vehicle acceleration is below an acceleration threshold. Additionally, air spring pressure adjustments may be scaled based on a confidence factor of the air spring pressure readings. Finally, a method is provided for configuring suspension ratios in a multi-rear axle vehicle, the vehicle having a drive axle suspension and at least one tag axle suspension, and for adjusting the air suspension pressures.

A performance-variable bushing includes an inner support element and an outer support element. An elastomeric connecting element extends between and operatively connect the inner and outer support elements such that a substantially fluid-tight seal is formed therebetween. The elastomeric connecting element can be at least partially formed from one of an electrorheological elastomeric material and a magnetorheological elastomeric material. The performance-variable bushing includes a variation-inducing element operatively associated with the elastomeric connecting element and selectively operable to vary values of one or more physical properties of the elastomeric connecting element. The elastomeric connecting element is configured for use under a pre-load force from pressurized gas within a spring chamber of an associated gas spring and damper assembly. Gas spring and damper assemblies and suspension systems are also included.