Patent classifications
B60G2400/51222
PNEUMATIC AUTOMOTIVE HEIGHT ADJUSTER ASSEMBLY
A pneumatic automotive height adjuster assembly provides at least one bag removably connected to a vehicle having a frame. The at least one bag is configured to adjust a height of the frame. An air supply line has a supply end and a discharge end. The discharge end is in fluid communication with each of the at least one bag. The air supply is configured to provide air to inflate the at least one bag. A switch is in fluid communication with the supply end of the air supply line. The switch has a first discharge, a second discharge, and a switch input. A leveling valve is in fluid communication with the first discharge. The air supply line is in fluid communication with the second discharge. An air supply is in fluid communication with the leveling valve and the switch input.
High pressure gas spring controls for improved vehicle leveling
A suspension system includes a spring assembly including a gas spring and an accumulator, and a controller. The accumulator is coupled to the gas spring and includes a bladder. The accumulator has a compressed state and an uncompressed state. The controller is configured to a) determine a target amount of gas in the spring assembly and b) adjust the amount of gas in the spring assembly towards the target amount of gas based on a pressure difference across the bladder.
A METHOD FOR ESTIMATING TYRE NORMAL FORCE
A method for determining a tyre normal force range (F.sub.z,min, F.sub.z,max) of a tyre force (F.sub.z) acting on a vehicle (100), the method comprising; obtaining (S1) suspension data (310) associated with a suspension system of the vehicle (100); obtaining (S2) inertial measurement unit, IMU, data (320) associated with the vehicle (100); estimating (S3), by a suspension-based estimator (330) a first tyre normal force range (F.sub.z1,min, F.sub.z1,max) based on the suspension data (310); estimating (S4), by an inertial force-based estimator (340), a second tyre normal force range (F.sub.z2,min, F.sub.z2,max)based on the IMU data (320); and determining (S5) the tyre normal force range (F.sub.z,min, F.sub.z,max) based on the first tyre normal force range (F.sub.z1,min, F.sub.z2max) and on the second tyre normal force range (F.sub.z2,min, F.sub.z2,max).
Electronic suspension control system for a vehicle
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.
Modular and Expandable Air Management System
An air suspension control system utilizes a suspension control module, one or more pneumatic control modules, and an end cap for controlling air-spring suspension units of different configurations. The system is expandable, and each pneumatic control module has an integrated air-spring pressure sensor, and an electrical connector to connect with an electronic height sensor. The system can level the suspension units based on air-spring pressure or air-spring height. The system is wireless enabled to provide connectivity to smartphone apps and dedicated devices for user interface, and allows for wireless updating of firmware.
PNEUMATIC CONTROL SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE SUSPENSION SYSTEM
A pneumatic control system includes a manifold that defines: a channel for conveying a fluid, a discharge port, a drain port, and an expansion chamber defining a chamber axis. The discharge port defines a flow axis extending between a first end and second end and a receiving region at the second end. The pneumatic control system also includes a filter assembly with a filter member disposed in the expansion chamber, and an actuator configured to selectively control fluid communication between the channel and the discharge port. The chamber axis is substantially coplanar with the flow axis. A filter cap assembly includes a filter cap body enclosing an end of the expansion chamber and selectively removable from the manifold to provide access to the filter assembly. A purge valve body is configured to selectively control fluid flow between the expansion chamber and the drain port.
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LOAD MANAGEMENT
A method for analyzing and managing a vehicle load carried by a vehicle, the vehicle having a fluid suspension system, the method including sampling, at a manifold of the fluid suspension system, a set of fluid pressure corresponding to a set of fluid springs of the fluid suspension system, wherein the set of fluid springs supports the vehicle load; determining an existing stiffness distribution, the existing stiffness distribution including a stiffness value associated with each of the set of fluid springs; determining a contextual dataset during vehicle operation; determining a desired stiffness distribution based on the contextual dataset; automatically controlling the set of fluid springs at the plurality of actuation points based on the desired stiffness distribution, wherein controlling the set of fluid springs includes setting the stiffness value of the fluid spring associated with each of the plurality of actuation points.
BICYCLE SUSPENSION COMPONENT AND ANALYSIS DEVICE
Example bicycle suspension components and analysis devices are described herein. An example suspension component includes a first tube and a second tube configured in a telescopic arrangement having an interior space, a spring system including a pneumatic chamber containing a mass of a gas forming a pneumatic spring configured to resist compression of the telescopic arrangement, and a suspension component analysis (SCA) device. The SCA device may include a pressure sensor to detect a pressure of the gas in the pneumatic chamber and provide a signal indicative of the detected pressure and circuitry configured to receive the signal. The circuitry and the pressure sensor are at least partially disposed in the interior space.
System and method for load management
A method for analyzing and managing a vehicle load carried by a vehicle, the vehicle having a fluid suspension system, the method including sampling, at a manifold of the fluid suspension system, a set of fluid pressure corresponding to a set of fluid springs of the fluid suspension system, wherein the set of fluid springs supports the vehicle load; determining an existing stiffness distribution, the existing stiffness distribution including a stiffness value associated with each of the set of fluid springs; determining a contextual dataset during vehicle operation; determining a desired stiffness distribution based on the contextual dataset; automatically controlling the set of fluid springs at the plurality of actuation points based on the desired stiffness distribution, wherein controlling the set of fluid springs includes setting the stiffness value of the fluid spring associated with each of the plurality of actuation points.
Air suspension apparatus
An air suspension apparatus includes a compressor configured to compress air, a tank configured to store the air, a tank-side suction conduit configured to supply the compressed air in this tank to an intake side of the compressor, a tank conduit connecting a discharge side of the compressor and the tank, an air suspension connected to the discharge side of the compressor via an air drier, an intake electromagnetic valve provided in the tank-side suction conduit, a return electromagnetic valve provided in the tank conduit, and a discharge conduit provided so as to branch off from between the discharge side of the compressor and the air drier and configured to be connected to an atmosphere by opening a discharge electromagnetic valve.