Abstract: An actuator includes a first rotary motor, a second rotary motor, and a transmission coupled to the first and second rotary motors. The transmission converts rotation of the first rotary motor in a first direction and simultaneous rotation of the second rotary motor in a second direction to linear motion of an output shaft in a single direction. The actuator is usable in an active automobile suspension.

Abstract: A working machine includes a body and an axle which is mounted so as to be moveable relative to the body, the axle carrying at or towards each end, a ground engaging wheel by means of which the machine can travel over the ground, the machine including a speed sensor sensitive to the machine ground speed, and there being a hydraulic control system including at least one control actuator connected between the body and the axle for controlling movement of the axle relative to the body, and the hydraulic system further including at least one control valve which is operable to restrict fluid flow occurring as a result of the control actuator extending or retracting in response to axle movements relative to the body, depending upon the signal provided by the speed sensor, wherein the control valve is an electrically operated control valve, operated proportionally by a valve controller which responds to changes in machine speed, by adjusting the restriction to fluid flow so as to permit more fluid flow as the machin

Abstract: A bicycle suspension-setting adjustor assembly is provided with a suspension tube attachment structure, a first actuator, a second actuator and a suspension-setting adjustment unit. The first actuator is rotatably mounted to the suspension tube attachment structure. The second actuator is rotatably mounted to the suspension tube attachment structure to rotate independent of rotation of the first actuator. The suspension-setting adjustment unit is operatively coupled to the first and second actuators. The suspension-setting adjustment unit adjusts a first suspension setting in response to rotation of the first actuator by using rotational movement of the suspension-setting adjustment unit. The suspension-setting adjustment unit adjusts a second suspension setting in response to rotation of the second actuator by using axial movement of the suspension-setting adjustment unit.

Abstract: In a suspension system for a vehicle, a suspension spring, an absorber for controllably changing the damping coefficient becoming the reference of amount of its own generating damping force, a displacement force generator for controllably generating a displacement force are arranged in parallel between sprung and unsprung members. A vibration damping control is executed based on a so-called skyhook damper theory by utilizing the displacement force. In execution of the vibration damping control, when a sign of sprung-member absolute velocity Vu and a sign of sprung/unsprung-members velocity difference ?V are the same to each other, a damping-coefficient increasing control is executed to set a target damping coefficient C* of the absorber to a coefficient value C2 that is larger than a coefficient value C1 to which the target damping coefficient C* is set when the sign of sprung-member absolute velocity Vu and the sign of sprung/unsprung-members velocity difference ?V are different from each other.

Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle including: a stabilizer apparatus configured to change a stabilizer force by an operation of an actuator, a pair of hydraulic shock absorbers configured to change damping coefficients thereof, and a control device which is configured to execute a body-roll damping control in which at least a part of the stabilizer force is controlled to act as a roll damping force having a magnitude in accordance with a roll speed of a body of the vehicle, which is configured to change, in the body-roll damping control, a degree of the magnitude of the roll damping force by the stabilizer force, and which is configured to control, under execution of the body-roll damping control, the damping coefficient of each absorber such that a component of the absorber force for damping roll of the vehicle body is controlled in accordance with the degree of the magnitude of the roll damping force by the stabilizer force, namely, such that the component of the absorber force becomes smaller in an instance

Abstract: A vehicle has a drive control ECU that controls an internal combustion engine or a transmission on the basis of a target drive force. The drive control ECU has a first arbitrator that sets the target drive force on the basis of a driver's request and the like, and filters that have individually different damping characteristics and that correct the target drive force from the first arbitrator so that the vibration of a sprung weight of the vehicle is controlled, as well as a switch that includes a switching portion and a filter setting portion. The filter setting portion determines whether a pitching resonance frequency has changed. If having determined that the pitching resonance frequency has changed, the filter setting portion switches the filter having been used for correcting the target drive force to a filter corresponding to a post-change pitching resonance frequency.

Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to provide a vehicle motion control device capable of controlling the driving force distribution to the wheels with superior stability and response while effectively utilizing the tire grip.

Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle, including: (a) a suspension spring; (b) a hydraulic damper; (c) a displacement force generator disposed in parallel with the suspension spring and the damper; and (d) a controller including a damping-force controlling portion for controlling a damping force of the damper and a displacement-force controlling portion for controlling a displacement force of the displacement force generator. The displacement-force controlling portion is configured to execute a sprung-portion vibration damping control for controlling the displacement force, such that the generated displacement force acts as a damping force against sprung-portion vibration.

Abstract: A suspension device (S) comprises: an actuator (A) including a motion conversion mechanism (T) for converting a linear motion to a rotational motion and a motor (M) connected to a rotary member (1) which performs the rotational motion in the motion conversion mechanism (T); a fluid pressure damper (D) connected to a linear motion member (2) which performs the linear motion in the motion conversion mechanism (T); an outer cylinder (27) connected to the actuator (A); and a bearing (34) attached to a rod (31) or a cylinder (32) connected to the linear motion member (2) of the fluid pressure damper (D) and slidably contacting with the inner circumference of the outer cylinder (27). This suspension device can improve reliability and vehicle ride quality.

Abstract: A suspension device (S) comprises: an actuator (A) including a motion conversion mechanism (T) for converting rotational motion of a screw nut (1) to linear motion of a threaded shaft (2), and a motor (M) connected to the screw nut (1); and a fluid pressure damper (D) connected to the threaded shaft (2), wherein the threaded shaft (2) is formed in a cylindrical shape, a connecting shaft (30) for connecting a rod (31) or a cylinder (32) of the fluid pressure damper (D) to the threaded shaft (2) is inserted into the threaded shaft (2), and the connecting shaft (30) is connected to an end, opposite to the fluid pressure damper, of the threaded shaft (2). Accordingly, the connection between the actuator and the hydraulic damper is facilitated.

Abstract: A damper assembly includes damper body, a piston assembly and a pulser. The damper body is operable to maintain a fluid. The piston assembly may include a piston rod and a piston plunger. The piston plunger and at least a portion of piston rod is slidably positioned within the damper body. The pulser is operable to generate hydraulic waves within the fluid toward the piston assembly to alter the damping force of the damper assembly.

Abstract: A shock absorber, which is particularly applicable to bicycles, includes a secondary chamber whose volume selectively contributes to a volume associated with a primary chamber of the shock. A piston is supported by a compression rod and cooperates with a shock tube to define the primary chamber. The secondary chamber is fluidly isolated from the primary chamber by a valve arrangement positioned proximate the piston. A plunger extends along a longitudinal length of the shock and forms or interacts with the valve arrangement such that the secondary chamber is selectively fluidly connected to the primary chamber so the primary and secondary chambers of the shock assembly contribute to the performance of the shock for a selected portion of shock travel.

Abstract: The present invention enables easy formation of an extremely small orifice in a volume compensation accumulator apparatus connected to a conduit connecting hydraulic cylinders in a suspension system. The volume compensation accumulator apparatus comprises an arrangement of the two orifice plates in series in a spaced-apart relation, which eliminates the necessity of reducing the diameters of the orifices while providing the same orifice characteristic as that of an orifice having a smaller diameter, thereby making the boring process of the orifice easy, and reducing clogging of the orifices with foreign objects.

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: A vehicle suspension utilizes an active air suspension system in combination with an adaptive damping system to provide a desired ride and handling output. The active air suspension and adaptive damping system can operate independently of each other, or can work in conjunction with each other to provide the desired output.

Abstract: An active vibration insulator includes an electromagnetic actuator, a controller, and a bad-roads processor. The electromagnetic actuator generates vibrating forces depending on electric-current supplies. The controller carries out vibrating-forces generation control. In the vibrating-forces generation control, the electric-current supplies are made variable so as to actively inhibit vibrations generated by an on-vehicle vibration generating source of a vehicle from transmitting to a specific part of the vehicle based on cyclic pulsating signals output from the on-vehicle vibration generating source. Thus, the controller lets the electromagnetic actuator generate the vibrating forces. The bad-roads processor stops the vibrating-forces generation control effected by the controller when the vehicle travels on bad roads.

Abstract: A damper assembly with a bypass for a vehicle comprises a pressure cylinder with a piston and piston rod for limiting the flow rate of damping fluid as it passes from a first to a second side of said piston. A bypass provides fluid pathway between the first and second sides of the piston separately from the flow rate limitation. In one aspect, the bypass is remotely controllable from a passenger compartment of the vehicle. In another aspect, the bypass is remotely controllable based upon one or more variable parameters associated with the vehicle.

Abstract: A suspension system includes four electronically controlled actuators, one at each of the four wheels. The actuators are each controlled by an electronic control unit. The left front and right front actuators are mechanically connected with each other. The left rear and the right rear actuators are also mechanically connected with each other. The only connection between the front two actuators and the rear two actuators is an electronic communication through the electronic control unit.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a semi-active suspension including suspension dampers controllably adjustable in accordance with electronic stability control commands and ride and handling commands. Vehicle steering response states, turning direction states and vehicle dynamics states are binary coded in respective state variables and suspension control calibrations are binary coded in calibration words. Integrity and security of state variables and calibration words are ensured in efficient binary digit resource allocation schemes.

Abstract: A rough road detection system for a vehicle comprises a first acceleration sensor that measures vertical acceleration of a component of the vehicle. An adaptive acceleration limits module determines a first acceleration limit based upon a speed of the vehicle. A limit comparison module generates a rough road signal based on a comparison of the first acceleration limit from the adaptive acceleration limits module and the measured acceleration from the first acceleration sensor.

Abstract: It is an object of the invention to improve the utility of an electromagnetic absorber system which is disposed in a suspension system of a vehicle and which generates a damping force by a generation force of a motor. The electromagnetic absorber system 18 is equipped with high-speed-motion responding means, thereby obviating an insufficiency of the damping force and a deterioration of the controllability in a high-speed stroke motion. More specifically, a hydraulic absorber 64 is provided in combination with the electromagnetic absorber system such that the hydraulic absorber 64 operates in the high-speed motion in which an electromotive force of the motor 68 exceeds a power source voltage Further, two motors having mutually different T-N characteristics are provided, and the two motors are selectively operated depending upon a stroke speed.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension control system includes a level change recognition section that recognizes a change in level in a road, e.g. roadside curb, a travel path prediction section that predicts the travel path of the host vehicle, a ride-up judgment section which predicts that a wheel or wheels will ride up over the change in level, based on the predicted travel path, and a vehicle suspension element control section that controls the operation of the vehicle suspension or of an element thereof when ride up over the change in level is predicted. The system reliably reduces the jolting sensation which would otherwise occur when a wheel rides up over the change in level.

Abstract: A magneto-rheological fluid damper includes a damper body having a reservoir for a magneto-rheological fluid, a piston rod, a piston rod guide disposed within the damper body, where the piston rod guide has a passage therein for receiving the piston rod. The magneto-rheological fluid damper further includes at least a first piston rod seal and at least a second piston rod seal arranged to seal between the piston rod guide and the piston rod. The magneto-rheological fluid damper further includes a fluid chamber defined between the piston rod guide and the piston rod, the fluid chamber being in communication with the reservoir. The magneto-rheological fluid damper further includes a piston rod guide filter arranged in a communication path between the fluid chamber and the reservoir to filter particulates out of the magneto-rheological fluid entering the fluid chamber. The magneto-rheological fluid damper further includes an accumulator arranged between the piston rod guide and the damper body.

Abstract: A suspension system is coupled between a front wheel and a vehicle frame of an all-terrain vehicle, including an inverted A-shaped connection rack and two shock absorbers. The connection rack has an end coupled to the vehicle frame and an opposite end coupled to the wheel. The shock absorbers are coupled to the connection rack in such a way to be set respectively frontward and rearward with respect to each other. An opposite end of each shock absorber is coupled to the vehicle frame. Each shock absorber includes a spring composed of upper, intermediate, and lower sections each having helical turns arranged in such a way that the turns of the upper and lower sections of the spring are sparsely arranged, while the turns of the intermediate section is densely arranged.

Abstract: In a suspension for a motor vehicle having at least one front axle and at least one rear axle, at least two vibration dampers which are separated from one another by a longitudinal axis of the vehicle are arranged at each axle. The sum of the occurring damping forces of the vibration dampers can be adjusted, and a vibration damper with adjustable damping force and a nonadjustable vibration damper are arranged at least at one vehicle axle.

Abstract: An inner and an outer spring plate are disposed, in a radially spaced relationship from one another, on a spring strut cylinder. In a first springing position (normal position), the helical spring is supported with a turn region of small diameter against the inner spring plate. In a second springing position (sports position) of the helical spring, the latter is supported with a turn region of larger diameter against the outer spring plate.

Abstract: A hydraulic system for a mobile machine having an implement is disclosed. The hydraulic system may have a hydraulic actuator configured to move the implement, a storage device configured to store pressurized fluid, and a valve operable to fluidly communicate the storage device with the hydraulic actuator. The hydraulic system may also have a sensor associated with the mobile machine to generate a signal indicative of a speed of the mobile machine, and a controller in communication with the valve and the sensor. The controller may be configured to compare the speed of the mobile machine to a setpoint and to determine an amount of time elapsed while the speed of the mobile machine exceeds the setpoint. The controller may further be configured to selectively operate the valve to fluidly communicate the storage device with the actuator based on the elapsed amount of time and the speed to cushion movement of the implement.

Abstract: An electromagnetic transducer including a stator and an armature, the armature defining a first axis and being driven to ride between first and second couplers back and forth relative to the stator along the first axis. The second coupler is configured to permit movement of the armature along a second axis orthogonal to the first axis.

Abstract: A spring carrier for mounting a spring strut to a vehicle body includes a vibration damper having a cylinder and a piston rod which is axially guided in the cylinder, first and second spring collars, and a spring located between the spring collars. An actuator includes a nut and a threaded spindle surrounding the piston rod, the actuator being driven to change the relative axial position of the spring collars. A guide tube extends coaxially between the piston rod and the threaded spindle, the threaded spindle being supported radially against the guide tube by a bearing.

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 bicycle suspension system is provided with a damping unit and a damping control unit to control movement of upper and lower telescopically connected tubes. A damping force adjustment valve selectively adjusts a fluid flow rate of fluid passed a damping piston. The damping piston has a fluid flow port that is axially spaced with respect to a fluid flow passage of a damping lockout mechanism such that a flow path is formed in an axial direction by the fluid flow port of the damping piston and the fluid flow passage of the damping lockout mechanism when the damping lockout mechanism is in a non-lockout mode. A first actuating member operates the damping force adjustment valve and a second actuating member operates the damping lockout mechanism such that the damping force adjustment valve remains in a set position when the second actuating member is being operated.

Abstract: A stabilization system for a motor vehicle includes an independently actuatable airbag assembly disposed at each wheel. A damper assembly disposed at each wheel is lockable to maintain the motor vehicle in the desired level position. The system includes a controller in communication with the airbag and damper assembly and a sensor assembly that senses a relative position of the body of the motor vehicle relative to a level plane and adjusts the airbag assembly in order to attain a level position of the motor vehicle and once that level position is attained, lock the damper assembly in order to provide a foundation-like feel to the motor home in a parked position.

Abstract: An operating module for localized signal processing at a corner of a vehicle includes a housing, a valve assembly or a sensor, and a signal processing device. The operating module can be used in operative association with an air spring assembly. The operating module can be in communication with other components and/or systems. A vehicle suspension system and method are also discussed.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for providing a biasing force to a vehicle suspension. The apparatus includes a hydraulic shock absorber that coacts with a gas spring. In some embodiments, the gas spring is externally adjustable with regards to gas pressure, and also with regards to the amount of internal travel possible by a floating gas piston.

Abstract: A damping adjusting/controlling system is provided for a vehicle having two front shock-absorbers and two rear shock-absorbers. Each shock-absorber includes a piston rod having a central rod mounted therein. The damping adjusting/controlling system includes two front motors and two rear motors for driving the central rods of the front and rear shock-absorbers, respectively. Front and rear motor controller are mounted to front and rear portions of the vehicle and electrically connected to the front and rear motors, respectively. A main controller is operable to proceed with bidirectional information transmission/reception between a programmed chip of the main controller and programmed chips of the front and rear motor controllers to drive at least one of the front and rear motors, thereby adjusting a height of the central rod and a damping state of at least one of the front and rear shock-absorbers.

Abstract: It is an object of the invention to improve the utility of an electromagnetic absorber system which is disposed in a suspension system of a vehicle and which generates a damping force by a generation force of a motor. The electromagnetic absorber system 18 is equipped with high-speed-motion responding means, thereby obviating an insufficiency of the damping force and a deterioration of the controllability in a high-speed stroke motion. More specifically, a hydraulic absorber 64 is provided in combination with the electromagnetic absorber system such that the hydraulic absorber 64 operates in the high-speed motion in which an electromotive force of the motor 68 exceeds a power source voltage Further, two motors having mutually different T-N characteristics are provided, and the two motors are selectively operated depending upon a stroke speed.

Abstract: A suspension system dampens motion between two components of a vehicle, such as the wheels and the chassis. An assembly of a cylinder and a piston is connected to both components. The piston defines first and second chambers in the cylinder and has a shaft with an end surface exposed to pressure within a third chamber of the cylinder. A first accumulator is connected to the first chamber by a first accumulator valve and a second accumulator valve connects a second accumulator to the second chamber. A damping valve alternately connects the third chamber to either the second chamber or a fluid tank wherein that connection defines the stiffness of the suspension system and is made in response to force acting on the suspension system. A load leveling circuit also is described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a suspension system, especially for vehicles with changing load conditions. Said suspension system comprises at least one suspension cylinder (10, 12) comprising respective pressure compartments such as an annular compartment (14) and a piston compartment (16), a load-sensing system (18) for producing pressure, two supply lines, forming two main branches (22, 24), between said compartments (14, 16) and a pump connection (P) and a reservoir connection (T), one valve (26, 28) being connected in every main branch (22, 24), at least one valve (26) thereof being a pressure valve via which the pressure for the respective defined pressure compartment of the respective suspension cylinder (10, 12) can be adjusted, and a leveling device. The inventive system is characterized in that the pressure control valve (26) adjusts not only the pressure but also the leveling device. For this purpose, the pressure control valve (26) is electrically actuated by means of a control device.

Abstract: The control includes a fluid system having a fluid passage in connection with a rod end chamber and a piston end chamber of a fluid cylinder connected to the front axle and a front end of a vehicle and extendible in length for increasing a distance between the front axle and the front end, a progressive control valve is disposed in the passage and is controllably movable through a range of progressively more restrictive partially open positions. The valve can also have a one-way flow position to allow fluid flow only from the piston end chamber to the rod end chamber, to allow only retraction of the cylinder. A controller is automatically operable for causing the valve to move through the range of progressively more restrictive partially open positions as the fluid cylinder is increasingly extended, and for moving the valve to the one-way flow position when the cylinder reaches a predetermined length.

Abstract: A spring carrier for mounting a spring strut to a vehicle body includes a vibration damper having a cylinder and a piston rod which is axially guided in the cylinder, first and second spring collars, and a spring located between the spring collars. An actuator includes a nut and a threaded spindle surrounding the piston rod, the actuator being driven to change the relative axial position of the spring collars. A guide tube extends coaxially between the piston rod and the threaded spindle, the guide tube being fixed to the vehicle body by a first resilient mount, the piston rod being fixed to the guide tube by a second resilient mount, whereby the piston rod can move relative to the first resilient mount.

Abstract: Method and device for calculating chassis height of a vehicle that has at least three air-suspended wheel axles (2, 3, 4). The device includes a control unit and two level sensors (9, 10). The control unit detects the chassis height at the front axle (2) via a first level sensor (9) and at the forward rear axle (3) via a second level sensor (10), and the control unit calculates the chassis height at the rearmost wheel axle (4). An object of the disclosure is to protect the rear axle installation with as few level sensors as possible.

Abstract: A vehicle chassis comprises a spring support for supporting a bodywork spring that is braced between two spring plates, and a vibration damper which is provided with a piston rod and a damper pipe and in which an area of the piston rod and/or the damper pipe is arranged inside the bodywork spring. At least one spring plate can be axially displaced by means of a drive unit encompassing a driving mechanism and a gear mechanism. The objective is to operate the vehicle chassis such that the energy consumption is low. In particular, the objective is not to use any energy to retain the adjustable spring plate in the mounted position when the vehicle chassis is in the neutral position. This objective is achieved by providing at least one energy store which is effective between the vehicle body and the spring plate and absorbs the weight of the vehicle.

Abstract: A ride control suspension control system having suspension control units with a damper and a single pressure regulator that controls dampening in both the compression and rebound chambers of the damper. The fluid control circuit may include a plurality of check valves that coordinate the flow of fluid to and from both chambers through the pressure regulator. In one embodiment, the system includes a central controller that receives input from a variety of sensors and directly controls operation the pressure regulators in each of the suspension control units without the need for any remote processors. The ride control suspension system may also include wheel position sensors that are external to the accumulator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a solenoid valve configured to be mounted to a shock absorber of a vehicle to adjust damping force. solenoid valve of a shock absorber in which a damping force is adjusted through adjustment of back pressure against a disc valve. The solenoid valve includes a back pressure chamber for generating back pressure against the disc valve by a fluid introduced through a back pressure adjusting flow passage, and a spool moved in a spool guide by operation of a solenoid to control opening/closing or opening rate of the back pressure adjusting flow passage. The back pressure adjusting flow passage includes a variable orifice with an opening rate of the variable orifice being adjusted by the spool and the spool guide, the back pressure chamber, and a fixed orifice formed on the disc valve.

Abstract: In a suspension control system, accelerations detected by acceleration sensors are differentiated by a differentiator to calculate acceleration derivative values. Based on these values, a target electrical current calculating section calculates a target electrical current that is supplied to an actuator which controls a damping force of a damper. Before a rolling or pitch angle occurs in the vehicle, the change of the rolling or pitch angle is predicted to control the damping force of the damper, thereby improving the response of rolling angle and pitch angle control to achieve, simultaneously, an accurate posture control and a satisfactory riding comfort. Because the target electrical current calculating section corrects the target electrical current of the actuator based on a damper speed obtained by differentiating a damper displacement, even when a large input is applied to the damper due to an unevenness of the road surface, a proper posture control is performed.

Abstract: A wheel suspension comprising a vehicle body, a wheel movably articulated on the vehicle body via a control arm assembly. A wheel carrier and at least one helical pressure spring which is supported on the vehicle body on the one hand and on the wheel carrier or the control arm assembly on the other hand. The spring stiffness of the vehicle body support referred to the wheel contact point of the wheel can be controlled so as to be variable. Use is made of a helical pressure spring assembly whose force action line deviates from the geometric spring center line. Furthermore, there are provided rotational means for the 3-dimensional adjustment of the force action line relative to the geometric spring center line.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling a vehicle suspension system switchable between two modes of operation, including a first mode for when the vehicle is experiencing an on-road driving condition and a second mode for when the vehicle is experiencing an off-road driving condition, includes a vehicle speed sensor for sensing a speed of the vehicle and generating a vehicle speed signal, which may be an inherent part of the vehicle required for other vehicle functions, such as ABS, speed, or other control. The system also includes a controller for detecting an off-road driving condition and comparing the vehicle speed signal to a predetermined speed threshold. The controller then controls the suspension system to switch to the second mode of operation upon detecting the off-road driving condition and the vehicle speed signal being less than the predetermined speed threshold.

Abstract: A vertical acceleration compensator is employed in the braking system of a vehicle wheel that undergoes vertical motion relative to the vehicle frame. The vertical acceleration compensator senses the vertical movement of the vehicle wheel relative to the vehicle frame and includes first and second component elements that form a variable volume compensation chamber. The vertical acceleration compensator is coupled in fluid communication with a brake fluid reservoir and a fluid actuated brake mechanism. The first and second compensator elements may be coupled to the vehicle wheel and to the vehicle frame. As a result, upward movement of the vehicle wheel relative to the vehicle frame reduces the volume of the compensation chamber, while downward movement of the vehicle wheel relative to the vehicle frame increases volume of the compensation chamber. A reduction in volume of the compensation chamber increases brake line pressure, thereby increasing the braking force on the wheel.

Abstract: A steering damper is provided coaxially with a steering shaft, and a handlebar load is provided by causing a variable valve to generate damping force, using rotation of the steering shaft. The damping force is variably controlled in response to vehicle speed. The damping force is fixed to a minimum value C1 for vehicle speeds equal to or below first reference speed V1, fixed to a maximum value C2 for vehicle speeds equal to or above second reference speed V2, and variably controlled in response to vehicle speed and acceleration in an intermediate speed range. Fine maneuverability of a vehicle body is achieved by reducing a load on a handlebar at low vehicle speeds, and a stable movement of the vehicle body is maintained at high vehicle speed by increasing the load on the handlebar and thereby suppressing deflection of the handlebar.

Abstract: A skid steer vehicle has a chassis with four drive wheels suspended from the chassis that are damped by four damping cylinders. An electronic controller varies the damping of the cylinders in an automatic mode, based on certain operational parameters of the vehicle, and in a manual mode in response to operator selection of a desired degree of suspension damping.