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.

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.

A ramp-equipped vehicle includes: a vehicle-height adjusting mechanism configured to adjust a vehicle height of a vehicle; a ramp configured to be movable between a deployed state and a stored state, the deployed state being a state where the ramp protrudes outwardly from the vehicle, the stored state being a state where the ramp is stored inside the vehicle; and a camera configured to detect a person coming closer to the vehicle. When the camera detects a person coming closer to a doorway of the vehicle during vehicle height adjustment by the vehicle-height adjusting mechanism, the vehicle height adjustment by the vehicle-height adjusting mechanism is interrupted.

The present disclosure relates to a door protection system (2) for a vehicle (1). The door protection system (2) includes sensor means (10, 11) for detecting an object (O) proximal to the vehicle (1). Processing means (14) are provided to process a signal (S1, S2) received from said sensor means (10, 11) to determine if the detected object (O) obstructs opening of a vehicle door (5, 6). Output means are provided for outputting a suspension control signal (S.sub.SUS) to control operation of a vehicle suspension (7) dependence on determining that the detected object (O) obstructs opening of the vehicle door (5, 6). The present disclosure also relates to a vehicle (1); to a method of controlling operation of a vehicle suspension (7); and to an electronic processor (14).

Realized is a technique for estimating a state quantity of a vehicle, which technique is applicable to estimation of a vehicle weight and allows an increase in accuracy and speed of the estimation. A state quantity estimating device includes a data storing section (101), a predictive quantity computing section (102), an obtaining section (107), a Kalman gain computing section (103), an estimated quantity computing section (104) which calculates an estimated state quantity and estimated covariance, and a process noise covariance correcting section (106) which corrects process noise covariance. The estimated state quantity, the estimated covariance, and the process noise covariance, each of which has been calculated or corrected, are written in the data storing section (101) as a state quantity, state covariance, and process noise covariance, respectively, and are used in a next computation for estimating a state quantity.

A vehicle may include a speed sensor configured to detect a speed of a vehicle; a door operation sensor configured to detect whether a door of the vehicle is opened or closed; an ambient detection sensor configured to detect a diagonal-front or diagonal-rear vehicle approaching the vehicle; and a controller configured to perform the variable control for the damping force of the damper by using at least one of the door operation signal and the ambient detection sensor signal when the controller receives the signal of the vehicle speed from the speed sensor and the vehicle speed is within a predetermined speed.

A pet mode door and suspension control system and method includes determining whether a door control action has occurred with respect to a door on the vehicle. When determined that the door control action has occurred, the system and method further includes determining whether a pet mode control action is needed. When determined that the pet mode control action is needed, a suspension control command is sent to suspension control system for raising and/or lowering at least one side of the vehicle and a door control command is sent to a power control unit for opening or closing the door in accord with the door control action.

A valve control device is configured to execute a specific valve control when a valve switching condition at high pressure is satisfied. The specific valve control switches the spring constant change valves for front wheel to a blocking state and switches a spring constant change valves for rear wheel to a communication permission state. The valve switching condition at high pressure is satisfied when oil pressure of hydraulic oil of rear wheel side oil hydraulic cylinders, which is detected by rear wheel side oil pressure detection means, is more than or equal to a predetermined oil pressure threshold and the traveling state determination means determines that a vehicle is in a predetermined traveling state.

A ride-height adjustment system for a vehicle. The system has a first detector, to detect a preliminary end-of-journey (EOJ) event, such as seat belt unbuckling or ignition switch-off. A controller adjusts the vehicle's suspension system in a first movement in response to detection of the preliminary EOJ event, to change the ride height of the vehicle towards an access ride height of the vehicle. The access ride height is a predetermined ride height that facilitates egress from and entrance to the vehicle. A second detector detects opening of a door of the vehicle. When the ride height of the vehicle remains different from the access ride height after the first movement, the controller adjusts the suspension system in a second movement in response to the door-opening detection. This further changes the ride height of the vehicle towards the access ride height of the vehicle.

A pet mode door and suspension control system and method includes determining whether a door control action has occurred with respect to a door on the vehicle. When determined that the door control action has occurred, the system and method further includes determining whether a pet mode control action is needed. When determined that the pet mode control action is needed, a suspension control command is sent to suspension control system for raising and/or lowering at least one side of the vehicle and a door control command is sent to a power control unit for opening or closing the door in accord with the door control action.