Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an integrated control apparatus for a vehicle, a system including the same, and a method thereof, and an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides an integrated control apparatus for a vehicle, including: a processor configured to perform braking control in an initial stage of steering control of a driver, to control a damping force of an electronic controlled suspension, to release the braking control in a later stage of steering control of the driver, and to increase the damping force of the electronic controlled suspension; and a storage configured to store data obtained by the processor and an algorithm for driving the processor.

Abstract: A method controls the height of a floor of a car of a vehicle relative to a platform. The car includes a body provided with a distance sensor, at least one bogie and at least one secondary suspension between the bogie and the body. The method includes measuring the distance between the distance sensor and the platform via the distance sensor, calculating the difference between the height of the platform and the height of the floor from the measured distance, and adjusting the height of the secondary suspension based on the difference.

Abstract: A method for estimating cardan shaft moments in a vehicle includes performing a state space modelling of a physical model for force transmission in at least one drive train The at least one drive train is formed with at least one drive machine, at least one axle and at least two axle shafts each with a respective wheel. The method further includes selecting the physical model as a torsional oscillator chain in which a respective drive machine inertia moment is assigned to the respective drive train and a respective wheel inertia moment is assigned to the respective wheel. The respective drive machine inertia moment is connected by a respective spring-damper element to the respective wheel inertia moment of the respective wheel which is connected to the respective axle shaft. A vehicle mass is connected by a respective spring-damper element to the respective wheel inertia moment of the respective wheel.

Abstract: A method for measuring and logging the performance of a wheeled vehicle suspension system by measuring the dynamic performance of at least one component of said vehicle suspension system, the method including the steps of: setting the vehicle on a pre-determined path and within a pre-determined speed range; causing the suspension of said vehicle to be displaced by a substantially predetermined amount by causing the wheels of the vehicle to roll over one or more objects of known size on said path; measuring the displacement of said at least one suspension system component relative to the sprung mass of the vehicle and/or one or more fixed objects in response to said displacement; measuring the oscillation frequency of said at least one vehicle suspension system component in response to said displacement; and determining the suspension damping characteristics relating to the at least one vehicle suspension system component using the displacement and frequency measurements.

Abstract: A hydraulic flow adjuster includes a first hydraulic tank, a second hydraulic tank, and a piston actuator. A first piston operates within the first hydraulic tank and a second piston operates within the second hydraulic tank. The piston actuator adjusts a relative position of the first piston in the first hydraulic tank and a relative position of the second piston position in the second hydraulic tank, such that the relative position of the first piston in the first hydraulic tank is the same as the relative position of the second piston in the second hydraulic tank.

Abstract: A saddle-type vehicle includes a vehicle body frame including a main frame extending obliquely rearward and downward from a head pipe, and a seat frame extending rearward from the main frame and supporting a riding seat, wherein a front wheel is supported by a front portion of the vehicle body frame via a front fork, and a rear wheel is supported by a rear portion of the vehicle body frame via a swing arm, and a vehicle height adjustment device provided below the seat frame to elastically support the seat frame and configured to adjust a height of the seat frame. The vehicle height adjustment device includes an actuator unit and a cushion unit connected with each other by a pipe. The actuator unit has a stepped portion, and at least a part of the cushion unit is disposed in a space formed by the stepped portion.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a suspension control apparatus allowing a vehicle state to be easily estimated with use of a vehicle height sensor. A controller 11 includes an external force estimation portion 31, which calculates an external force applied to a vehicle body from a displacement calculated from a vehicle height sensor 10, a vertical force calculation portion 32A, which calculates a vertical force of the vehicle body 1 from the calculated external force, a sprung acceleration calculation portion 32B, which calculates an acceleration from the calculated vertical force, a filter portion 32C, which estimates a sprung speed of the vehicle body 1 from the calculated acceleration, and a damping characteristic determination portion 14, which acquires a damping characteristic based on the estimated sprung speed.

Abstract: A method of automatically adjusting the ride height of a vehicle each time the vehicle is in a particular location is provided, where the automatic ride height adjustment is based on location and ride height information previously gathered from a user.

Abstract: A suspension control device is provided for a human-powered vehicle. The suspension control device includes a sensor and an electronic controller. The sensor is configured to detect an actuation of a braking system of the human-powered vehicle. The electronic controller is configured to control a suspension of the human-powered vehicle in accordance with the actuation detected by the sensor.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a sprung mass including a cabin coupled to a chassis, tractive assemblies engaging the chassis, each tractive assembly including a pair of tractive elements, gas springs coupling the tractive elements to the sprung mass, and a controller operatively coupled to pressure sensors. Each gas spring is configured to impart an upward force on the sprung mass. The upward force varies based on a pressure of a pressurized gas within a chamber of the gas spring. Each pressure sensor is configured to provide a signal indicative of the pressure of the pressurized gas within one of the chambers. The controller is configured to determine a weight of the sprung mass using the signals from the pressure sensors. The controller is configured to monitor at least one operational condition of the vehicle and determine whether or not to disable determination of the weight based on the operational condition.

Abstract: A suspension device for a vehicle includes a spring device disposed between a sprung member and an unsprung member of a vehicle and allowing a relative displacement between the sprung member and the unsprung member. The spring constant k2c of the spring device when the spring device is deformed in the direction in which the spring device contracts with respect to the predetermined reference length is configured to be smaller than the spring constant k2e of the spring device when the spring device is deformed in the direction in which the spring device expands with respect to the predetermined reference length. Consequently, it is possible to obtain a characteristic opposite to the spring characteristic of the seat, and as a result, ride quality can be improved.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to an obstacle avoidance system with active suspensions. The obstacle avoidance system uses one or more active suspensions to lift or jump one or more corresponding wheels over an obstacle in the vehicle's path to avoid contact with the obstacle when the vehicle cannot practically drive over, steer around, or stop before hitting the obstacle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a pneumatically sprung caster mechanism to provide a pneumatically controlled ride height for a platform attached to the caster. The caster is mounted to a first end of a pivoting axle, while a piston is mounted to the opposite end of the pivoting axle. The length of the piston is pneumatically controlled to rotate the pivoting axle to either increase, or decrease, the distance between the caster and the platform. Suspension is provided through interaction of the piston with an air reservoir, whereby minute variations in the length of the piston are absorbed by the elasticity of the walls of the air reservoir. A free-flow of air is facilitated such that air forced out of the piston during contraction may be collected by the air reservoir and air required by the piston during expansion may be provided by the air reservoir.

Abstract: A damper assembly for a vehicle having a chassis and a control arm moveably coupled to the chassis includes a first spring seat configured to be fixed to the chassis, a second spring seat configured to be supported by the control arm, a coil spring extending between the first spring seat and the second spring seat, and a sensor module supported by the first spring seat or the second spring seat. The sensor module is operable to determine a state of compression of the coil spring.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for determining a mounting state of an electronic control unit (ECU) of an electronic controlled suspension (ECS) system can determine either a normal mounting state or a mounting failure of the ECU of the ECS system. The apparatus for determining the mounting state of the ECU includes: a signal processor receiving a damper velocity of each damper; an integrator calculating an integral of the damper velocity by integrating the damper velocity of each damper received by the signal processor per unit time; a comparator comparing the integral of the damper velocity calculated by the integrator with an actual stroke of each damper; and an index output unit outputting a mounting state of the ECU in the form of an index according to comparison results of the comparator.

Abstract: A user device is identified as being operated by a vehicle occupant. An operation being performed by the user device is identified. A road condition is determined. A vehicle suspension is adjusted based at least in part on the identified user device operation and the road condition.

Abstract: A coil spring modeling apparatus includes a first attachment member disposed on a lower spring seat, a second attachment member disposed on an upper spring seat, an actuator unit formed of a Stewart-platform-type parallel mechanism, a spring height detection mechanism, and a controller. The spring height detection mechanism is constituted of displacement gauges such as a linear variable differential transformer. These gauges are provided on hydraulic cylinders, and detect amounts of displacement relative to the reference lengths of the hydraulic cylinders, respectively. A hydraulic pressure supply device is controlled by the controller and supplies fluid pressure according to the displacement detected by the gauges to the respective hydraulic cylinders.

Abstract: A distributed active suspension control system is provided. The control system is based on a distributed, processor-based controller that is coupled to an electronic suspension actuator. The controller processes sensor data at the distributed node, making processing decisions for the wheel actuator it is associated with. Concurrently, multiple distributed controllers on a common network communicate such that vehicle-level control (such as roll mitigation) may be achieved. Local processing at the distributed controller has the advantage of reducing latency and response time to localized sensing and events, while also reducing the processing load and cost requirements of a central node. The topology of the distributed active suspension controller contained herein has been designed to respond to fault modes with fault-safe mechanisms that prevent node-level failure from propagating to system-level fault. Systems, algorithms, and methods for accomplishing this distributed and fault-safe processing are disclosed.

Abstract: Provided are a vehicle such that drive state can be suitably selected in a configuration including an internal combustion engine, and a vehicle control method. In a vehicle and a method of controlling the same, different values are set for a first switching threshold value for switching from a first independent drive state (in which one of a front wheel and a rear wheel is driven) to a combined drive state, and for a second switching threshold value for switching from a second independent drive state (in which the other of the front wheel and the rear wheel is driven by an internal combustion engine) to the combined drive state.

Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle includes a right front wheel, a left front wheel, a right rear wheel and a left rear wheel. A suspension system for the vehicle includes a first cylinder supporting the vehicle at the right front wheel in fluid communication with a second cylinder supporting the vehicle at the left front wheel, wherein the first and second cylinders form a virtual articulated front axle. The suspension system also includes a third cylinder supporting the vehicle at the right rear wheel and a fourth cylinder supporting the vehicle at the left rear wheel. The suspension system includes two spool valves in fluid communication with the first and second cylinders and intermediate the first and second cylinders. When one of the rear wheels is unweighted, an associate one of the spool valves closes and fluid flow between the first and second cylinders is blocked to create a virtual locked axle.

Abstract: A vehicle control device includes a sensor and a controller. The sensor detects wheel speed. The controller estimates an amount of pitch motion made by a vehicle based on information in a prescribed frequency range of wheel speed detected by the sensor. The controller control friction brakes so as to bring the pitch motion amount to a target pitch motion amount, as well as gradually lowering an amount by which the friction brakes are controlled, in instances where an estimation accuracy of the pitch motion amount deteriorates.

Abstract: An articulated machine having a first frame and a second frame supported by first and second wheel assemblies respectively is provided. The machine includes a first sensor and a second sensor to provide position information of the first frame and the second frame respectively. The machine includes a drive train to couple the front and rear wheel assembly, and having an inter axle differential to facilitate the front and the rear wheel assembly to move at different speeds. The machine includes a controller to compare position of the first frame with position of the second frame to determine relative position of the second frame with respect to the first frame. The controller compares the relative position of the second frame with a predefined position limit. The controller selectively locks the inter axle differential when the determined relative position of the second frame is greater than the predefined position limit.

Abstract: An embodiment of a method of controlling a road vehicle having a number of wheels; a frame housing a passenger compartment; and a number of suspensions suspending the frame from respective wheels, and expandable or contractable to adjust the height of the frame with respect to the ground; the method including the steps of: determining a collision; and raising the frame with respect to the ground by expanding at least some of the suspensions on determining a collision.

Abstract: A stabilizer assembly unit for a motor vehicle, having a first fluid pressure actuator and a second fluid pressure actuator which are associated with opposite ends of an antiroll bar, characterized in that exactly one pressure fluid connection is provided on each of the fluid pressure actuators.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pneumatic level control system equalizer of a motor vehicle equipped with a battery and a generator supplying the battery, as well as a compressor driven by an electric motor and associated with the level control system equalizer, the electric motor of the compressor being only supplied with electric current by the vehicle battery and/or generator in certain conditions. The power requirements of the level control system equalizer can be pre-evaluated for a change of level and/or a filling of the pressure tank to be performed.

Abstract: A method for controlling the regeneration cycles for an air dryer in a closed ride height control system for vehicles. Compressed air chambers and a compressed air storage reservoir are charged with compressed air and ventilated via a compressed air line, or are charged via a compressed air intake line connected to the compressor and ventilated via the compressed air line. Compressed air quantity delivered through the dryer by the compressor, and temperature and/or the humidity of the air sucked in from the atmosphere are measured. The dryer is considered saturated under the assumption that air sucked in by the compressor and delivered through the air dryer is at the highest possible ambient temperature and humidity. Regeneration air quantity required for the compressed air quantity for the dryer to attain the desired dew point is determined as a function of the ambient temperature and/or the humidity of the intake air.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for controlling the suspension of the body shell of a motor vehicle. According to the invention, the device comprises: a sensor for sensing wheel travel in relation to the body shell for each wheel, a first means (20, 21) for calculating a variable modal shock absorption gain bmod as a function of at least the travel measurements in order to calculate a first set modal shock absorption stress Fmod using formula: Fmod=?bmod·Vmod and a second means (22) for calculating the set force of the shock absorber as a function of the first stress Fmod.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension friction control apparatus includes a first link having a first end and a second end, and a second link having a first end and a second end. The first end of the first link is mounted to one of a steering knuckle or a lower control arm connected to a lower part of the steering knuckle. The first end of the second link is mounted to the other of the steering knuckle or the lower control arm. A friction control joint connects the second end of the first link and the second end of the second link for controlling friction between the steering knuckle and the lower control arm.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a bicycle suspension element includes a suspension parameter controller that provides a suspension parameter controlling signal to control an operating parameter of the bicycle suspension element in response to a bicycle seat position.

Abstract: An active air suspension system includes an air spring assembly that has a piston airbag and a primary airbag mounted around the piston airbag to provide a variable force and rate dual air spring configuration. The air suspension system is configured to accurately control pressure within the system in a closed-loop manner.

Abstract: An air suspension system is configured to maintain a desired vehicle comfort ride level as a function of vehicle speed. The air suspension system includes a plurality of air spring assemblies that each include a piston airbag and a primary airbag mounted around the piston airbag. A first set of the air spring assemblies is tuned to a first ride rate and a second set of the air spring assemblies is tuned to a second ride rate. Pressure is continuously varied within the first and second sets of air springs to maintain a first predetermined ride rate difference between the first ride rate and the second ride rate under a low vehicle speed condition and to maintain a second predetermined ride rate difference between the first ride rate and the second ride rate under a high vehicle speed condition.

Abstract: An air suspension includes first and second air spring assemblies that each include a piston airbag and a primary airbag. A first fluid connection connects one of a first piston airbag and a first primary airbag of the first air spring assembly to one of a second piston airbag and a second primary airbag of the second air spring assembly. A second fluid connection connects the other of the first piston airbag and the first primary airbag to the other of the second piston airbag and the second primary airbag. Air flow through the first and second fluid connections is passively controlled solely in response to road load inputs to reduce roll stiffness and improve articulation.

Abstract: In a rollover stability method for a vehicle in a situation which is critical with respect to the driving dynamics, a critical rollover situation is detected by analyzing a control variable and the stabilization intervention is activated or de-activated as a function of the control variable. The regulation intervention is maintained even in driving situations featuring relatively low transverse acceleration if the control variable or a characteristic property of the stability algorithm is calculated as a function of the steering angle and/or the longitudinal vehicle velocity.

Abstract: An air suspension system for a multi-axle vehicle having air bags (4,5; 6,7; 8,9; 10,11; 44 to 49) supporting either side of the axles (2,3; 41 to 43), including separate air lines (18 to 25; 50 to 55) respectively connecting each air bag to a level control valve (16,17; 56,57) via manifolds (26,27; M) and air lines (28,29; 54,55) to independently control air supply to the bags on either side, the separate air lines being of the same size and length to ensure that substantially the same volume of air is supplied to each bag to improve the responsiveness and stability of the system.

Abstract: A device has a pneumatic spring for supporting a load on a bogie of a rail vehicle and a compressed air supply which is pneumatically connected to the air spring via an air spring valve in order to vent and to fill the air spring with compressed air. A closed-loop control unit adjusts the air volume and/or the air pressure in the air spring. A compressed air line provides for the pneumatic connection between the compressed air supply, air spring, air spring valve and control unit. Unnecessary filling and venting of the air spring is prevented by way of a device for limiting the volume flow into the compressed air line in dependence on the speed of the rail vehicle.

Abstract: A method and system for coordinating a vehicle stability control system with a suspension damper control sub-system includes a plurality of dampers, each of which are controlled directly by the suspension damper control sub-system. A plurality of sensors sense a plurality of vehicle parameters. A supervisory controller generates vehicle damper commands based on the plurality of vehicle parameters for each of the dampers. A damper controller in electrical communication with the supervisory controller receives the vehicle damper commands and generates sub-system damper commands based on a portion of the plurality of vehicle parameters for each of the dampers. The damper controller also determines if any of the vehicle damper commands for any one of the dampers has authority over the corresponding sub-system damper command.

Abstract: An integrated vehicle control system includes a first control system having a maximum authority to selectively operate a first vehicle sub-system and a second control system to selectively operate a second vehicle sub-system. A controller is adapted to monitor a first parameter associated with the first vehicle sub-system and a second parameter associated with the second vehicle sub-system. The controller is operable to control the first and second parameters by selectively invoking operation of the second control system when the first control system exceeds the maximum authority and the second parameter exceeds an upper threshold.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for increasing the downward force pressing a car to the road, mainly while braking, accelerating, or turning, consisting of a wheel hub, at least one control arm, a brake system, and a damping unit. The brake system consists of a brake drum and brake shoes or a brake disc and brake pads mounted on a caliper. At least one brake shoe and/or caliper and/or brake pad and/or additional mass element is placed in a pushing plane parallel with at least one tangent to the circle or on the segment of a circle with the same center of rotation as the wheel hub and where the trajectory of movement is limited by at least one brake stop.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension damper for providing a variable damping rate. The vehicle suspension damper comprises a first damping mechanism having a variable first threshold pressure, a second damping mechanism having a second threshold pressure, and a compressible chamber in communication with a damping fluid chamber, wherein the second damping mechanism is responsive to a compression of said compressible chamber.

Abstract: A suspension system adaptable for cross-flow operation includes a plurality of gas springs, a transfer passage in communication between the gas springs, and a transfer valve for selectively permitting gas flow along the transfer passage. A control system selectively actuates the transfer valve. A method of operation is also described.

Abstract: A stabilizer assembly unit for a motor vehicle, having a first fluid pressure actuator and a second fluid pressure actuator which are associated with opposite ends of an antiroll bar, characterized in that exactly one pressure fluid connection is provided on each of the fluid pressure actuators.

Abstract: An air storage system is provided for an air suspension system in a large vehicle and includes at least one tire, preferably at least one set of tires provided on an axle of the vehicle. The system includes an air control arrangement adapted for selectively controlling the input and output of air from the at least one tire to the air suspension system based on data signal at least representing air pressure in the at least one tire at least when the tire is idle, i.e. not engaged in driving.

Abstract: There is provided a hydraulic shock absorber including a spring receiver that is supported so as to be not rotatable with respect to the axle bracket. The spring receiver is divided into a spring receiver base portion that has an outer diameter smaller than an inner periphery of an axle-side tube, and a spring receiver cylindrical portion that is inserted into an inner periphery of the axle-side tube and a suspension spring is seated thereon. A lower end engagement portion provided at a lower end of the spring receiver cylindrical portion is seated on an upper end engagement portion provided at an upper end of the spring receiver base portion, so that the spring receiver cylindrical portion is concentrically set to the axle-side tube.

Abstract: There is provided a hydraulic shock absorber in which fall prevention means, which is moored at a mooring portion provided to a spring receiver (spring receiver base portion) having been previously assembled to the axle bracket and prevents the fall of the spring receiver (spring receiver base portion), is provided at the axle bracket in an assembled state in which upper and lower ends of an axle-side tube are vertically inverted and an axle bracket is assembled to a lower end of the axle-side tube from above.

Abstract: A level control device of a vehicle may include an angle-of-rotation sensor for measuring the distance between a vehicle chassis and a vehicle axle or wheel according to an inductive principle. The sensor may include an electrical coil that has a coil core for generating a magnetic field, and at least one eccentric body capable of swiveling about an axis of rotation as a function of the distance. The coil core may be disposed in a stationary manner relative to the coil the eccentric body may be made of a ferromagnetic material and captured at least partially by the lines of force of the magnetic field of the coil in such a way that, solely by a change of its position relative to the coil core, a change of the inductivity of the coil is brought about as a measure for a change of the distance.

Abstract: In a method of operating a vehicle system for automatically adjusting the chassis height of a vehicle, height adjusting devices are operated for adjusting the chassis height in relation to one or more axles of the vehicle from a first height level to second height level. The operation of height adjusting devices is controlled by positioning identification devices so as to move the chassis from the first to the second height level in response to receiving from the position identification devices an indication to the effect that the vehicle is approaching or has arrived at one of a plurality of predetermined positions and/or positions fulfilling predetermined criteria. The predetermined positions may be defined by wireless position indicators to be detected by a position detector installed in the vehicle. The position identification devices can include a global navigation system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device in a vehicle damper which comprises a damping medium-filled damper body (2), in which an element (5, 5?) forming a seal against the damper body divides the damper body into two chambers (2a, 2b). A microprocessor control unit (SU) is coupled to one or more valve and connecting arrangements (4a, 4b, 4c), comprising at least one valve and a number of flow ducts. Respective valves and flow ducts of the valve and connecting arrangement (4a, 4b, 4c) are coupled both to respective damper chambers (2a, 2b) and a pressurizing element (3) common to both of the chambers, so that even in the chamber in which a low pressure prevails there is a positive pressure acting at all times.

Abstract: In a regulating system and method of regulating the chassis of a motor vehicle, sensor data which are present for regulating the suspension and the damping of a vehicle body vehicle and describe the suspension state are forwarded to the regulating module of an antilock brake system. A state of the motor vehicle with regard to a brow situation can be determined from the sensor data. The sensor data or the state with regard to the brow situation are/is taken into consideration in the regulating module of the antilock brake system when determining control signals for regulating the brake pressure in brake apparatuses which are assigned to the wheels, in particular in the brake cylinders. This increases the driving safety considerably when driving over a brow and immediately after driving over a brow and increases the efficiency and reliability of the antilock brake system substantially in corresponding driving situations.

Abstract: The present invention provides a suspension control apparatus requiring a reduced number of sensors. A pitch rate estimating unit 21 calculates a pitch rate used for creating a control instruction value, with use of a wheel-speed time-rate-of change obtained based on wheel speeds vcFL and vcFR detected by wheel speed sensors 7FL and 7FR, and an estimated forward/backward acceleration aes calculated by a forward/backward acceleration estimating unit 20.

Abstract: A roll control actuator for a stabilizer bar includes an outer housing that is fixed to a first bar portion and a shaft that is fixed to a second bar portion. The shaft is helically connected to a piston that is received within an interior chamber formed inside the outer housing. The piston separates the interior chamber into first and second fluid chambers. An anti-rotation mechanism is fixed to the outer housing and cooperates with the piston to restrict the piston to axial movement relative to the outer housing. The first and second fluid chambers are selectively pressurized to control roll stiffness by moving the piston within the outer housing.