A damper interface device (DID) includes a microcontroller including a memory and a processor, at least one algorithm stored to the memory, and a DID connector configured to connect the microcontroller to a vehicle network without having to modify the wiring system of the vehicle. The algorithm is configured to receive network messages from the vehicle network via the DID connector, where the network messages include an input message directed to a suspension controller. The algorithm is executed by the processor to identify the input message as directed to the suspension controller, parse the input message for response requirements, determine contents of a response to the input message, where the contents of the response emulate a response of the suspension controller, and generate a response message including the contents of the response. The microcontroller is configured to output the response message to the vehicle network via the DID connector.

A system and methods are provided for a suspension system of an off-road vehicle that allows the springs to be mounted remotely, in any location on the vehicle, enabling the use of spring sizes, spring rates, motion ratios, and damping profiles that would be impractical with traditional suspensions. The suspension system includes a hydraulic cylinder coupled between the wheel and the chassis, in lieu of a conventional spring. This cylinder is in fluid communication with another cylinder by way of a hydraulic hose. This second cylinder includes a piston that presses against a suspension spring that is in contact with a fixed spring stop, thus transferring spring forces to the wheel. Alternatively, the spring stop may comprise a control actuator that moves according to signals from an onboard computer control system, enabling active control over spring load and chassis attitude.

Provided is an on-demand shock stiffening system. The on-demand shock stiffening system operates to immediately stiffen the shocks in response to a user activating the system. The system may include a main body with an oil flow aperture and a flow control system that operates to restrict the flow of oil between the reservoir and the shock. The on-demand shock stiffening system may be coupled between the reservoir and the bridge of the shock and operates to restrict flow of the oil in order to stiffen the shock immediately in an on-demand manner.

A wheel with an intelligent suspension system that includes a hub, a rim and a set of spokes with dynamically adjustable spoke lengths. Further included is one or more sensors associated with at least the hub and the rim and a microcontroller unit (MCU) that receives sensory signals from the one or more sensors, and transmits control signals to the set of spokes to dynamically control spoke lengths of the set of spokes.

A control device and a control method for controlling an actuating mechanism for a vehicle according to the present invention are designed to detect whether an abnormality occurs in the voltage application device provided with a booster circuit to generate a boosted voltage to be applied to an electrorheological fluid, and to stop boosting of the booster circuit when an abnormality occurs in the voltage application device for preventing overheating caused by overcurrent flowing to the voltage application device when an abnormality occurs such as short-circuit and ground fault in the voltage application device.

A vehicle includes an electric actuator disposed outside a vehicle body, a battery 16 and a boosting circuit which supply a high voltage to the electric actuator, and an electric suspension control ECU which controls the boosting circuit and the electric actuator, and in a case where a running speed is equal to or less than a first speed, the electric suspension control ECU limits the supply of the high voltage to the electric actuator.

A vehicle includes an acceleration sensor detecting collision, an electric actuator disposed outside a vehicle body, a battery and a boosting circuit supplying a high voltage to the electric actuator, and an electric suspension control ECU controlling the boosting circuit and the electric actuator, and in a case where the acceleration sensor detects the collision, the electric suspension control ECU limits the supply of the high voltage to the electric actuator.

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.

A vehicle includes a high voltage component such as an electric actuator, an electric suspension control ECU, a battery, a signal line which transmits, to the electric suspension control ECU, a detection signal of a sensor disposed in the electric actuator, a high voltage line which supplies a high voltage from the battery to the electric actuator, and a fixing member which fixes the signal line and the high voltage line to a vehicle body, a length of the signal line from the fixing member to the electric actuator is shorter than a length of the high voltage line from the fixing member to the electric actuator, and the electric suspension control ECU suppresses the supply of the high voltage to the electric actuator, in a case where abnormality occurs in the signal line.

An air management system for a vehicle. The air management system includes at least one air spring. A compressor is provided for filling the air spring. A central air line is fluidly connected to the air spring and the compressor. At least one spring air line extends between the central air line and the air spring. At least one suspension valve is disposed along the spring air line. At least one auxiliary air line extends between the spring air line and the central air line. At least one high flow exhaust valve is disposed along the auxiliary air line. At least one isolation check valve is disposed in series with the high flow exhaust along the spring air line. The isolation check valve allows air to pass through therethrough from the air spring to the central air line while preventing air from passing therethrough from the central air line to the air spring.