Abstract: A method is for the leak-tightness and operational testing of a stop valve of a pneumatic suspension of a motor vehicle with gas springs, with at least in each case one active volume capable of being connected via the stop valve, the vehicle including at least one connectable pressure source, at least one connectable pressure sink and, for each axle, at least one measuring device determining the distance to the vehicle body, and also damping elements limiting the stroke of the respective gas spring. For this purpose, in a first step, with the stop valve open, a stroke, during which at least one damping element is compressed, is set on the individual gas spring. In a second step, after the closing of the stop valve, the individual gas spring is set to a part-stroke of its total stroke between the damping elements.

Abstract: A method is for the leak-tightness and operational testing of a stop valve of a pneumatic suspension of a motor vehicle with gas springs, with at least in each case one active volume capable of being connected via the stop valve, the vehicle including at least one connectable pressure source, at least one connectable pressure sink and, for each axle, at least one measuring device determining the distance to the vehicle body, and also damping elements limiting the stroke of the respective gas spring. For this purpose, in a first step, with the stop valve open, a stroke, during which at least one damping element is compressed, is set on the individual gas spring. In a second step, after the closing of the stop valve, the individual gas spring is set to a part-stroke of its total stroke between the damping elements.

Abstract: The intention is to specify a simplified design for a device which is used in vehicles for determining a vertical distance between a vehicle body and at least one vehicle wheel which is adjustably mounted thereon. In the device according to the invention, a first inclination sensor which generates first inclination signals which are correlated to the inclination of the vehicle body with respect to a reference position, and transmits them to a control unit, is attached to the vehicle body. Attached to a coupling component which is adjusted, together with the vehicle wheel, relative to the vehicle body, is a second inclination sensor which generates second inclination signals which are correlated to the inclination of this coupling component with respect to a reference position, and transmits them to the control unit.

Abstract: In a method for monitoring the functioning of a compressor, which charges a gas-filled accumulator chamber with a working pressure, the actual pressure prevailing in the accumulator chamber is measured and compared to a setpoint pressure. In response to a deviation in the actual pressure from the setpoint pressure, an error signal is produced. The comparison of the actual pressure and the setpoint pressure is carried out during the charging operation when the accumulator chamber is charged.

Abstract: In a method for controlling the ride height of a wheeled vehicle, the distance between a vehicle body and a wheel suspension unit for at least one wheel provided with a gas-filled tire is adjusted to a distance setpoint value which can be predefined in a variable fashion at least as a function of the vehicle payload. The tire pressure is sensed and the distance setpoint value is additionally predefined in a variable fashion as a function of the sensed tire pressure. For this purpose, in the wheeled vehicle, the tire is assigned a tire-pressure sensor, and the distance setpoint value can additionally be predefined in a variable fashion as a function of the sensed tire pressure.

Abstract: It is proposed that a pneumatic suspension leveling system for vehicles with pneumatic suspension leveling elements assigned to the vehicle axles and/or vehicle wheels, with a compressor and a central pressure accumulator fed by it for the compressed air supply of the pneumatic suspension leveling elements, with an accumulator pressure sensor which detects the air pressure in the central pressure accumulator and generates a signal value correlating thereto, and with an electronic control device which processes the signal values of the central pressure accumulator and induces a pressure charging of the central pressure accumulator by the compressor, when the signal value of the accumulator pressure sensor reaches a predetermined lower threshold signal value and terminates this pressure charging when the signal value of the accumulator pressure sensor reaches a preset upper threshold signal value be improved with respect to its functional capacity.

Abstract: In a suspension system with ride-height control, the movements of the body to be expected on the basis of longitudinal and/or transverse accelerations of the vehicle are not eliminated. For this purpose, set values are specified for the level of the body in a manner analogous to the movements of the body to be expected.

Abstract: It is proposed that a pneumatic suspension leveling system for vehicles with a compressor which can be turned on and off by a control device in function of demand, which compressor only needs to operate intermittently, with predetermined on-time duration, during normal operation, be improved with respect to its functional capacity. This problem is solved in accordance with the invention in that the control device of the pneumatic suspension leveling system varies the on-time duration of the compressor in function of the heat transfer conditions which prevail between the compressor and the air enveloping the latter.

Abstract: In a vehicle having wheels with inflatable tires, position generators are assigned to each wheel to detect the distances between the wheel and the vehicle body. It is determined whether the time related mean wheel centers are situated approximately in a common plane. If not, a warning signal is generated, indicating defective tire air pressure.

Abstract: A device and a method to detect dynamic changes in the level or ground clearance of a vehicle. The changes are determined indirectly by the instances of longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle which are analogous with these changes, preferably by calculation from signals of rotational speed sensors for the vehicle wheels. Such sensors are normally present in vehicles with anti-lock braking system or traction control systems.