The present disclosure relates to autonomous driving vehicles and methods for improving stability and occupant comfort of the same. The vehicle includes: a frame member; a cabin, movable with respect to and independent from the frame member; wheels; at least one suspension between the wheels and frame member; actuation device configured to control at least the orientation of the cabin with respect to the frame member; a perception module comprising perception sensors and algorithm configured to at least identify road boundaries and obstacles in the vicinity of the vehicle; and a planning module configured to plan the motions of the steering means using information from at least the perception module.

The industrial vehicle includes a body, an axle, a lateral acceleration sensor determining lateral acceleration, an actuator temporally restricting pivoting of the axle, a vehicle speed limiter limiting vehicle traveling speed, and a controller driving the actuator based on the lateral acceleration determined by the lateral acceleration sensor to temporally restrict pivoting of the axle while the industrial vehicle is being turned and to limit traveling speed of the industrial vehicle based on lateral acceleration determined by the lateral acceleration sensor when the industrial vehicle is turned. A first lateral acceleration threshold value which is used in judging whether traveling speed of the industrial vehicle should be limited is set smaller than a second lateral acceleration threshold value which is used in judging whether pivoting of the axle should be temporally restricted. An upper limit deceleration rate is set for limiting the traveling speed of the industrial vehicle.

The present disclosure relates to autonomous driving vehicles and methods for improving stability and occupant comfort of the same. The vehicle includes: a frame member; a cabin, movable with respect to and independent from the frame member; wheels; at least one suspension between the wheels and frame member; actuation device configured to control at least the orientation of the cabin with respect to the frame member; a perception module comprising perception sensors and algorithm configured to at least identify road boundaries and obstacles in the vicinity of the vehicle; and a planning module configured to plan the motions of the steering means using information from at least the perception module.

A system and method for accounting for a mismatch that exists between a vehicle's bumper and potential impact point using an active suspension is disclosed. The system and method determine that a mismatch exists between a vehicle's bumper and a potential impact point and actuate the suspension to account for the determined mismatch. The system and method account for the mismatch existing between a vehicle's bumper and a potential impact point using a sensor for detecting that a mismatch exists between the bumper and the potential impact point, and a suspension configured to be actuated to account for the sensed mismatch to enable improved alignment of the bumper and the potential impact point.

A system, apparatus and method for controlling the height of a frame of a self-propelled high ground clearance, agricultural product applicator above a ground surface utilize a trailing link suspension system including an extensible air strut, for connecting ground engaging wheels of the applicator to the frame of the applicator. The trailing arm suspension system includes an upper suspension arm attached to the frame, a lower suspension arm providing sole support of a ground engaging wheel attached to the lower arm, and the extensible air strut interconnected between the upper and lower arms. Height of the applicator above the ground surface is controlled by regulating a flow of pressurized air to the air strut, to thereby control extension of the air strut.

A modular system for an automotive vehicle configured to permit removal of a removable structural module from and reattachment to an automotive vehicle is described. The system includes a removable structural module comprising a body, a support structure configured to receive and support the removable structural module and to permit the removable structural module to be releasably attached to an automotive vehicle, a sensing arrangement configured to permit confirmation of secure attachment of the removable structural module to the automotive vehicle and configured to permit identification of a predetermined type of the removable structural module, and a computer configured to identify the predetermined type of the removable structural module from among multiple possible predetermined types of removable structural modules. The removable structural module comprises multiple connecting structures that permit the removable structural module to be releasably secured to the automotive vehicle.

A system, apparatus and method for providing task-specific ride-height control in a self-propelled agricultural product applicator utilize a controllable ride-height trailing arm suspension system for independently joining each wheel to a frame of the applicator. Each trailing arm suspension system includes upper and lower suspension arms, an extensible air strut, and an angular position sensor operatively interconnected to one another and disposed between a rolling axis of the ground engaging wheel independently supported by that suspension system and a point of attachment of the suspension system to the frame, such that the position sensor detects a relative angular position between the upper and lower suspension arms at a present extension of the air strut. An electronic control unit utilizes the angular positions detected by the sensors, in conjunction with a desired task input, to control the air struts in a manner providing a ride-height corresponding to the desired task input.

A system, apparatus and method for detecting and controlling the height of a frame of a self-propelled agricultural product applicator above a ground surface utilize a trailing link suspension system including an angular position sensor and extensible air strut, for connecting ground engaging wheels of the applicator to the frame of the applicator. Height of the applicator above the ground surface is determined by measuring relative angular rotation of upper and lower suspension arms of the suspension system about a suspension pivot axis, using the angular position sensor. Height is controlled by regulating a flow of pressurized air to the air strut, to thereby control extension of the air strut in a manner that controls a frame to axle, ride-height, distance of the suspension system.

A system, apparatus and method for providing task-specific ride-height and speed control in a self-propelled agricultural product applicator utilize a controllable ride-height trailing arm suspension system, including an extensible air strut and an angular position sensor, for independently joining each wheel to a frame of the applicator. An electronic control unit utilizes the angular positions detected by the sensors, in conjunction with a desired task input, to control the air struts in a manner providing a ride-height corresponding to the desired task input. The electronic control unit also controls maximum speed of the applicator for each task, per a predetermined schedule, or in response to a suspended load of the applicator.

An air suspension system of a commercial vehicle comprises an electronic control device with a level control valve device. A valve element is coupled to a drive element mechanically coupled to a vehicle wheel or axle. In a first relative position of the valve element and a counter valve element, a port for an air suspension bellow is blocked. In a second relative position, the port for the air suspension bellow is connected to a port for an aeration device. In a third relative position, the port for the air suspension bellow is connected to a port for a deaeration device. Control logic generates a control signal for an actuator which, when a level change is set by an operator, correspondingly changes the relative position of the valve element and the counter valve element or the relative position of the counter valve element and a valve housing.