Abstract: Apparatus for adjusting the height of a vehicle frame on a vehicle is disclosed including a pneumatic suspension system for adjusting the elevation of the vehicle frame, and a controller for controlling the pneumatic suspension system, the controller being adapted to be set in a first mode corresponding to normal driving of the vehicle and a second mode corresponding to parking or marshalling of the vehicle, whereby when the controller is in the first mode, the pneumatic suspension system permits adjustment of the vehicle frame within a first range and when the controller is in the second mode the pneumatic suspension system permits adjustment of the vehicle frame within the second range, the first range being greater than the second range, and the second range being within the first range.

Abstract: According to the controller for an adaptive electronic suspension system and the control method of the system, it becomes possible to improve the driving performance and steering stability by controlling the damping force of the variable damper considering vehicle speed, steering angle, opening amount of throttle valve, up/down acceleration, brake operation, axle acceleration etc., wherein the controller for an adaptive electronic suspension system includes a vehicle speed sensor, a steering angle sensor, a throttle position sensor, an up/down acceleration sensor, a brake switch, an axle acceleration sensor and an electronic controller for controlling to convert damping force of dampers of four wheels into “hard mode”, “medium mode” and “soft mode” by checking up driving state of the vehicle according to detecting signals output from the sensors and driving front and rear actuators to change passages by rotation of control rods.

Abstract: According to the controller for an adaptive electronic suspension system and the control method of the system, it becomes possible to improve the driving performance and steering stability by controlling the damping force of the variable damper considering vehicle speed, steering angle, opening amount of throttle valve, up/down acceleration, brake operation, axle acceleration etc., wherein the controller for an adaptive electronic suspension system includes a vehicle speed sensor, a steering angle sensor, a throttle position sensor, an up/down acceleration sensor, a brake switch, an axle acceleration sensor and an electronic controller for controlling to convert damping force of dampers of four wheels into “hard mode”, “medium mode” and “soft” model by checking up driving state of the vehicle according to detecting signals output from the sensors and driving front and rear actuators to change passages by rotation of control rods.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system includes a hydraulic anti-roll mechanism in which a pair of suspension arms (10a, 10b), on opposite sides of the vehicle, are mounted to the vehicle body pivots (16a, 16b). A pair of hydraulic struts (22a, 22b) are connected between the suspension arms and the body (14). The struts are asymmetrically mounted so that one is inboard of its suspension arm pivot and the other is outboard of its suspension arm pivot. The two lower chambers of the struts (22a, 22b), through which the connecting rods (32) of the pistons extend, are hydraulically interconnected, and so are the two upper chambers.

Abstract: A suspension system (20) controls the amount of compressible fluid (42) within struts (28) to determine spring rate coefficients (Ks) and dampening coefficients (Bs) for the struts (28). The spring rate and dampening coefficients (Ks, Bs) are selected to provide forces (F) which are a sum of several components, which include a desired target static force (Fd) for balancing various forces acting upon a vehicle chassis, comparison of the target strut force (Fd) to the actual force (F) applied by the respective struts (28), comparison of velocity ({dot over (z)}5) of the chassis relative to a selected reference datum, and a ride height error (erh). Frequency dependant filtering decreases the spring rate coefficients (Ks) when changes in position (Zs) are detected at frequencies (&ohgr;) beneath a threshold level (&ohgr;K), and decreases the dampening coefficients (Bs) when changes in velocity ({dot over (z)}s) are detected at frequencies (&ohgr;) above a threshold level (&ohgr;B).

Abstract: A class of transportation vehicles for carrying an individual over ground having a surface that may be irregular. Various embodiments have a motorized drive, mounted to the ground-contacting module that causes operation of the vehicle in an operating position that is unstable with respect to tipping when the motorized drive arrangement is not powered. Related methods are provided.

Abstract: A vehicle roll rigidity control device comprises a control unit and an actuator which can adjust an attenuation force installed between the vehicle front wheel and body. The control unit reduces the attenuation force of the actuator and increases the ability of the vehicle to turn around when the vehicle is in a turn transient state. When the sequential steering operation to the left and right is performed, the controller increases the attenuation force of the actuator and increase the roll rigidity of the front wheels.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling pivoting of a forklift rear axle. A hydraulic damper is arranged between a rear axle and a forklift body. The damper includes two oil chambers. The oil chambers are connected to a first passage and a second passage. A two-way switch valve is arranged between the oil chambers. The valve permits the flow of oil between the oil chambers and allows pivoting of the rear axle when opened. The valve restricts the flow of oil between the oil chambers and prohibits pivoting of the rear axle, thereby locking the rear axle when closed. When the rear axle is released from a locked state, the valve repeats a valve cycle, which includes opening and closing the valve, to regulate the amount of fluid that flows between the chambers. The valve is then kept in an opened state. This prevents shock that may be produced by sudden tilting of the body when the rear axle is released from a locked state.

Abstract: A pitch angle calculating device includes a height sensor 11 arranged in either one of a front position Pf and the rear position Pr separated from the front position Pf by a predetermined distance w, detecting either one of a front vehicle height hf and a rear vehicle height hr and a controller 7 calculating a pitch angle of the vehicle on the basis of the detected vehicle height hr, the predetermined distance w and a designated virtual height hfk established as the other vehicle height hr which is not detected by the height sensor 11. The designated virtual height hfk is corrected into a corrected height (hfk+&agr;) by both number and positions of passengers on the vehicle and both weight and position of loads on the vehicle in advance of calculating the pitch angle by the controller 7.

Abstract: A suspension device suspends a driving wheel and a caster, which are laterally spaced from one another. A cab is located above the caster. A drive unit support supports a drive unit to which the driving wheel is attached. The drive unit support is fixed to a rotary shaft that extends in the lateral direction of the vehicle. The rotary shaft is located in front of the drive unit. The drive unit support is not located between the drive unit and the cab. Thus, the width of the cab is maximized without increasing the width of the vehicle body.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus relate to the detection of a tilt tendency of a vehicle about a vehicle axis oriented in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. For this purpose, for at least one wheel, a variable describing the wheel rotation speed and at least one variable representing the transverse dynamics of the vehicle are ascertained. As a function of one of the variables representing the transverse dynamics of the vehicle, braking torques and/or drive torques are briefly generated and/or modified at at least one wheel. While the braking torques and/or drive torques at the at least one wheel are being briefly generated and/or modified, and/or after they have been briefly generated and/or modified, a variable which quantitatively describes the wheel behavior is determined for that at least one wheel, as a function of the variable describing the wheel rotation speed of that wheel.

Abstract: A load distribution unit is utilized in a vehicle suspension system having at least one pair of laterally adjacent forward wheel assemblies, and at least one pair of laterally adjacent rear wheel assemblies. A wheel ram is associated with each of the wheel assemblies, each wheel ram including a major chamber therein. The load distribution unit includes a plurality of fluid chambers, each fluid chamber being divided into at least two control chambers by at least one piston supported therein. Two pairs of the control chambers which vary in volume proportionally and in opposite senses therein with piston motion are system chambers, and at least two of the remaining control chambers are bump chambers. The pistons are interconnected by at least one connection device. The major chamber of each wheel ram is in fluid communication with a respective system chamber. The vehicle suspension system provides a roll stiffness and a pitch stiffness while providing minimum cross-axial articulation stiffness.

Abstract: A stability control system 24 for an automotive vehicle as includes a plurality of sensors 28-37 sensing the dynamic conditions of the vehicle and a controller 26 that controls a distributed brake force to reduce a tire moment so the net moment of the vehicle is counter to the roll direction. The sensors include a speed sensor 30, a lateral acceleration sensor 32, a roll rate sensor 34, a yaw rate sensor 20 and a longitudinal acceleration sensor 36. The controller 26 is coupled to the speed sensor 30, the lateral acceleration sensor 32, the roll rate sensor 34, the yaw rate sensor 28 and a longitudinal acceleration sensor 36. The controller 26 determines a roll angle estimate in response to lateral acceleration, longitudinal acceleration, roll rate, vehicle speed, and yaw rate. The controller 26 changes a tire force vector using brake force distribution in response to the relative roll angle estimate.

Abstract: A driving stabilizer has a rotary actuator located between spider parts supporting stabilizer arms. Flanges associated with the spider parts and supported by the spider parts form end covers of the rotary actuator. A central part adjacent to the flanges includes an outer body formed by an annular jacket spanning a gap between the flanges and an inner body. The outer body and inner body are mutually rotatable and axially secured with respect to one another and each non-rotatably connected to a respective one of the spider parts via a respective one of the flanges.

Abstract: A ride leveler system in vehicles with an adjustable wheel suspension device between a vehicle wheel and the vehicle body, with a height sensor for measuring the actual height between a vehicle wheel, and with an electronic control device which specifies a target height and adjusts the wheel suspension device until the attainment of the target height. If there is a deviation between target and actual height, the electronic control device adjusts the wheel suspension device for a minimum period of time independent of the course of the actual height. Following expiration of the minimum control time, the adjustment is switched off at a point in time at which the measured actual height has attained the value of the target height for the first time.

Abstract: An active suspension system for vehicles, particularly motor vehicles, has active supporting assemblies which are arranged between the vehicle body and the vehicle wheels. Each of the assemblies includes a passive spring as well as a lift-adjustable control unit arranged in series thereto. The supporting assemblies are controlled as a function of body accelerations of the vehicle, and low-frequency and higher-frequency fractions of body accelerations, which are taken into account differently. As a result, the vehicle follows the road profile comparatively directly while the comfort is good.

Abstract: A vehicle height adjust control apparatus and method prevents interference between a vehicle and a road surface due to a vehicle height reduction caused by an occupant or load added during a stop of the vehicle and minimizes unnecessary or ineffective operation of actuators while the vehicle is stopped with a brake pedal depressed. The apparatus has a vehicle sensor for detecting a vehicle speed, and a brake switch for detecting a brake pedal depressing operation. When the vehicle is stopped and the brake pedal is depressed, a microcomputer maintains a normal determination condition for starting a vehicle height adjustment to raise the vehicle body, but prevents a vehicle height reducing adjustment from lowering the vehicle body or uses a severe determination condition for starting a vehicle height reducing adjustment, thereby restricting the vehicle height adjustment only in the reducing direction.

Abstract: A vehicle stability control apparatus calculates a desired yaw rate from the angle of the steering wheel and vehicle's velocity and always executes control so as to have the actual yaw rate correspond to the desired yaw rate. Both of the front wheels' braking force and the rear wheels' braking force are operated according to the amendment momentum calculated by a control in response to the yaw rate difference. However, the actual yaw rate cannot be accurately corresponded to the desired yawing moment without delay when the driver operates a steering wheel rapidly in the emergency evasion condition, the control unit increases the amendment momentum right after the emergency evasion condition. Furthermore, the control unit decreases the amendment momentum when the vehicle is converging on straight-ahead driving.

Abstract: A hydraulic shock system adapter apparatus for use in combination with a pre-existing shock system and pre-existing steering arm which are typically installed on a vehicle. With the apparatus being actuated by the steering arm and automatically increases dampening compression on the outside shock and decreases dampening compression on the inside shock when the vehicle is turned.

Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle includes a wheel carrier for rotatably supporting a wheel, an upper control link having a first end coupled to an upper end of the wheel carrier and a second end proximal to a vehicle body, a lower control link having a second end coupled to a lower end of the wheel carrier and a second end proximal to the vehicle body, a reciprocating hydraulic actuator disposed such that its reciprocating motion becomes perpendicular to a vertical direction of the vehicle body, a converter for converting the reciprocating motion of the reciprocating hydraulic actuator into an up-and-own motion of the upper and lower control links, and an electronic control part for controlling an operation of the reciprocating hydraulic actuator in accordance with a driving condition of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for vehicle dynamic control processes a compensated yaw rate signal measurement and a compensated lateral acceleration signal measurement (30, 32) to derive a signal measurement of road bank angle disturbance not compensated for in a compensated steering angle signal measurement and provides the derived signal to a controller (12). The compensated steering angle signal measurement is an input to the controller. Because a disturbance already compensated in the compensated steering angle signal measurement is transparent to the controller, the controller is able to adjust the control action of the vehicle dynamic control system based on the derived signal measurement of road bank angle disturbance not compensated for in a compensated steering angle signal measurement, thereby providing enhanced robustness of control.

Abstract: The method of determining respective rotational position angles (&agr;x,&agr;y,&agr;z) of a vehicle includes measuring respective accelerations (ax, ay, az) of the vehicle (FZ) in the x, y and z directions; calculating first position angle values (&phgr;x1,&phgr;x2) and second position angle values (&phgr;y1,&phgr;y2) from the measured accelerations according to equations (1) and (2): &phgr;x1=arcsin {ay/g} &phgr;y1=arcsin {ax/g}  (1) &phgr;x2=arccos{az/g} &phgr;y2=arccos{az/g}  (2) wherein g is the acceleration of gravity; determining respective inertial position angles (&phgr;x,&phgr;y) as the smaller of the first position angle values (&phgr;x1,&phgr;x2) and of the second position angle values (&phgr;y1,&phgr;y2); measuring corresponding rotation rates (&ohgr;x,&ohgr;y,&ohgr;z) of the vehicle and determining the respective rotational position angles (&agr;x,&agr;y,&agr;z) by integration of corresponding rotation ra

Abstract: An apparatus (30) and a method for providing an output signal (28) indicative of a vehicle operating parameter. Preferably, the operating parameter is lateral acceleration of the vehicle. A lateral acceleration sensor (36) senses lateral acceleration and provides a first signal (38). A lateral acceleration estimator (40) estimates lateral acceleration and provides a second signal (42). The first signal (38) is passed through filters (44, 46) to provide first signal portions (38L, 38H). The second signal (42) is passed through filters (48, 50). The first signal (38) and the filtered second signal (42H) are provided to a fuzzy logic controller (56) for analysis. The fuzzy logic controller (56) provides two fuzzy variable values (K1, K2) based upon the analysis. The second signal portion (38H) and the filtered second signal (42H) are multiplied by the fuzzy variables, respectively. The results of the two multiplications and the first signal portion (38L) are summed together to provide the output signal (28).

Abstract: The method of controlling a vehicle height adjust apparatus for a vehicle that includes an actuator capable of changing a vehicle height, a height detector that detects the vehicle height and a controller linked to the actuator that receives parameters indicating a state of the vehicle includes the steps of detecting the vehicle height and at least one of a steering angle of a steering wheel of the vehicle and a differential-limited state of wheels of the vehicle, and controlling the actuator with the controller to adjust the vehicle height to approach the target vehicle height if the steering angle is not greater than a predetermined steering angle and/or the wheels are not in a differential-limited state.