B60G2202/152

Methods and systems for using waste energy from electric motors and inverters in electric vehicle air suspension systems
11577572 · 2023-02-14 · ·

An air suspension system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a suspension actuator, a reservoir, a compressor, and a first cooling circuit. The suspension actuator has a chamber. The reservoir includes a shell and an adsorptive material. The shell at least partially defines an interior region. The interior region is fluidly connected to the chamber. The adsorptive material is in the interior region. The compressor is fluidly connected to the interior region. The first cooling circuit includes a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger, and a conduit. The first heat exchanger is in thermal contact with the interior region. The second heat exchanger is in thermal contact with an electric vehicle component. The conduit is adapted to circulate a fluid between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger. The present disclosure also provides a method of operating the air suspension system.

AIR SPRING HAVING COMPOSITE PARTS

An air spring having at least one composite part is provided. The air spring will have a top plate, a flexible sleeve, and a clamp ring coupled together by an injection molded collar. The injection molded collar will be formed to hold the top plate, flexible sleeve, and clamp ring in compression to form an air tight seal. In certain aspects, the top plate and/or the clamp ring may be formed from composites or metals.

AIR SUSPENSION CONTROL

Methods and systems are provided for a vehicle suspension system. In some example methods, a height change request is received for a vehicle suspension having a displacement control for implementing height change requests. A displacement of at least one spring of the vehicle suspension may be determined, as well as whether the displacement satisfies a displacement control criteria. The height of the vehicle suspension may be changed using an air mass control in response to determining the displacement control criteria is not satisfied.

AIR SUSPENSION CONTROL

Example illustrations are directed to a suspension system for a vehicle, which includes a controller configured to determine a roughness of a ground surface associated with the vehicle. The controller may be further configured to determine a height adjustment parameter for the suspension system based on the roughness determined, and to facilitate modification of the suspension system based on the determined height adjustment parameter. Example methods are provided, which may include determining, using a controller, a roughness of a ground surface associated with a vehicle, the roughness determined based on ride height. The method may also include determining, using the controller, a height adjustment parameter for a suspension system of the vehicle based on the roughness determined.

Vehicle height control system
11554627 · 2023-01-17 ·

A vehicle height control system and method of increasing a vehicle height of a vehicle having a vehicle body and at least one axle assembly. The vehicle height control system includes a pressurized fluid, and a plurality of air springs provided to support at least one section of the body of the vehicle above at least one axle of the vehicle and configured to adjust the height the vehicle relative to the ground in response to the supply and discharge of the fluid. A control assembly of the vehicle height control system configured to receive user input indicative of a vehicle height adjustment operation desired by a user has a piston unit fluidically interconnected with the pressurized fluid supply system via a first control valve and is operable to adjust the vehicle height by adjusting a second control valve interposed between the pressurized fluid supply system and the air springs.

ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED VEHICLE SUSPENSION SYSTEM AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE
20180009284 · 2018-01-11 ·

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.

METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A PRESSURE VESSEL AND A PRESSURE VESSEL OF THIS TYPE
20180009280 · 2018-01-11 ·

A method for manufacturing a pressure vessel for a motor vehicle comprises the steps: providing a hollow basic body as a primary stage of the pressure vessel, wherein the basic body has an initial internal volume, and wherein the basic body has a wall, which extends fully around a longitudinal axis of the basic body, wherein the wall has an opening, which has an opening rim; providing a hollow auxiliary body, which has a base wall and a peripheral wall, wherein the peripheral wall is open on a side lying opposite the base wall; joining the auxiliary body with the basic body at the opening in the wall of the basic body, such that the pressure vessel having a desired final internal volume which is larger or smaller than the initial internal volume of the basic body is obtained. In addition, such a pressure vessel in the form of an air suspension pot of a suspension is described.

MOUNTING BRACKETS FOR AUXILIARY SUSPENSION SYSTEMS

Brackets for mounting auxiliary suspension systems, such as lift axle systems, to vehicles are disclosed herein. For example, brackets are disclosed for attaching lift axle hanger brackets and lift axle load springs to corresponding frame members. In some embodiments, the frame brackets can include physical features (e.g., a series of graduated steps in an edge portion thereof) to facilitate visual alignment of the lift axle with the vehicle frame members during installation. In other embodiments, the frame brackets can be two-piece brackets that enable the load springs to be removed and replaced without having to detach the frame bracket from the frame rail.

Drive Device for Electric Truck

A drive device for an electric truck includes drive unit housings provided to each of drive wheels on left and right sides of the electric truck, each of the drive unit housings integrally accommodating a motor that generates drive power, a reducer that reduces a rotation speed of the motor, and a final gear that is connected to the reducer and transfers the drive power of the motor to the drive wheel. The drive device further includes suspension parts one provided over the final gear in each of the drive unit housings, steering gear parts one being provided over each of the suspension parts, pairs of hinge parts, and pairs of body-connecting parts, one of the pairs connecting each of the steering gear parts to a vehicle body of the electric truck through each of the pairs of hinge parts.

Suspension travel control system

A suspension travel control system (1046) for a vehicle suspension is disclosed. The suspension travel control system includes a stop post (834) secured to the vehicle frame and a suspension travel control formation that includes a base (1042) and a body (1048). The stop post (834) is positioned in a space defined by the body (1048). The suspension travel control formation may be secured to the axle, the main support member or incorporated into the axle coupling assembly to provide a rebound and jounce stop as well as longitudinal redundancy in the event of the failure or loss of a longitudinal linkage.