Abstract: An air management system for a vehicle having a first pneumatic circuit and a second pneumatic circuit, in which the first and second pneumatic circuits are pneumatically connected in a neutral position via a cross-flow mechanism. The first pneumatic circuit is configured to independently adjust air pressure of a first side of the vehicle. The second pneumatic circuit is configured to independently adjust air pressure of a second side of the vehicle. The system is configured to establish pneumatic communication between the first and second pneumatic circuits when the air management system is not independently adjusting the adjust air pressure of the first side of the vehicle and the air pressure of the second side of the vehicle in the cross-flow mode.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting a height of an electric vehicle with an adjustable suspension system. In one example, a method comprises: during a vehicle stop event, adjusting a height of a skateboard frame of an electric vehicle via an adjustable suspension system, based on at least one sensor input indicative of a desired skateboard frame height. In this way, user activities, including loading and unloading, may be facilitated.

Abstract: Described are devices, systems, and methods that enable greater control and customization of variable suspension systems via mechanical modification, among other advantages. In one example, a linkage device is configured to be attached to a suspension arm of a vehicle and to a vehicle frame of the vehicle. The linkage device is configured to mechanically modify one or more physical states detected by a sensor of the vehicle, thereby causing the sensor to output modified signals to a controller, and causing the controller to output modified control signals to a variable shock absorber connected between the vehicle frame and the suspension arm, thereby modifying one or more variable physical properties of the variable shock absorber.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a body, a pair of front gas springs coupling a pair of front wheel end assemblies to the body, and a pair of rear gas springs coupling a pair of rear wheel end assemblies to the body. At least one of the rear gas springs includes a cylinder, a rod extending within the cylinder and movable relative to the cylinder, the rod and the cylinder together at least partially defining a chamber having a variable volume and receiving a first pressurized gas therein, and an accumulator in communication with the chamber and containing a second pressurized gas therein. The second pressurized gas within the accumulator is held at a threshold pressure creating a first spring rate when the first pressurized gas is below the threshold pressure and a second spring rate when the first pressurized gas is above the threshold pressure.

Abstract: A vehicle height adjustment apparatus includes: vehicle height adjustment units respectively provided to correspond to wheels of a vehicle body, and adjusting a vehicle height in response to the supply and discharge of a working fluid; a supply source of the working fluid; opening and closing valves interposed between the vehicle height adjustment units and the supply source; and a control unit adjusting a vehicle height for each of the vehicle height adjustment units to at least one of a first vehicle height suitable for at least one of boarding and deboarding, and a second vehicle height suitable for travelling, wherein when the control unit acquires preparation information indicative of the transition of a preparation state to at least one of boarding and deboarding preparation states, the control unit adjusts the vehicle height adjustment units from the second vehicle height to the first vehicle height.

Abstract: The present invention provides a compact wheelchair lift mechanism useable within a relatively small vehicle cabin space, such as a pickup truck with an extended cabin. The wheelchair lift includes a lateral actuator and a vertical actuator that cooperate to move a wheelchair support laterally in and out of a vehicle cabin and vertically between the cabin floor and the ground. The vehicle includes a lowered floor for expanding the vertical opening available to the lift, wheelchair, and vehicle occupant. The lift is positioned within the vehicle cabin such that no loss of seating capacity results from the installation of the lift.

Abstract: A warning system for a vehicle having an air suspension system can include an indicator, an event data recorder, and a controller. The controller can be configured to determine a load on a front axle and a rear axle when the vehicle is in a static condition and compare the determined load on the front and rear axles to a predetermined load threshold for each of the front and rear axles. A warning signal can be provided to the indicator indicative of at least one of the determined loads exceeding the corresponding predetermined load threshold upon the controller determining one of the determined loads exceeds the corresponding predetermined load threshold. Data indicative of at least one of the determined loads exceeding the corresponding predetermined threshold can be communicated to the event data recorder.

Abstract: A mass transit vehicle includes one or a combination of the following: floor portions that are angled for creating an incline of a floor of the buss; a door or entranceway that is angle relative to a fore-aft axis of the vehicle; and/or an entranceway that opens a relatively low height relative to the ground.

Abstract: Provided is technology of raising or lowering vehicle height even if the grasp of vehicle speed is disabled. A vehicle height adjusting device includes a rear suspension capable of changing relative positions of a vehicle body frame and a wheel of a motorcycle including a transmission configured by a plurality of gears and a control device configured to control the rear suspension and change the relative positions of the rear wheel and the vehicle body frame to adjust vehicle height, which is the height of the vehicle body frame. The control device controls the rear suspension to increase the vehicle height when a gear position of the transmission is equal to or higher than a predetermined gear position set in advance and reduce the vehicle height when the gear position is lower than the predetermined gear position.

Abstract: To provide a vehicle capable of maintaining a stable state when a rider gets on the step plate or get off the step plate. A vehicle is a vehicle that performs a turning movement based on the rotation of step plates on which a rider rides in the left/right direction. The vehicle includes restriction means to enable the rotation of the step plates in the left/right direction to be restricted. The vehicle preferably further includes first control means that controls the restriction means so that the rotation of the step plates in the left/right direction is restricted when the rider gets on the step plates or gets off the step plates.

Abstract: A vehicle fluid suspension control system includes a fluid supply adapted to fluidly communicate with a lift mechanism in the vehicle. A circuit board is connected to the fluid supply and exhausts fluid from the lift mechanism when the kneel switch is activated. The circuit board may also open a flowpath from the fluid supply to the lift mechanism when a kneel switch is deactivated and the brake pedal is depressed. A manifold may be in fluid communication with the fluid supply and the lift mechanism and may include a supply flowpath and an exhaust flowpath. The control system may be programmed with a height averaging adjustment delay, which determines whether the average height of the vehicle during a period of time is outside of a predetermined range. The control system may make corresponding adjustments to bring the height of the vehicle within the predetermined range.

Abstract: A mass transit vehicle includes one or a combination of the following: floor portions that are angled for creating an incline of a floor of the buss; a door or entranceway that is angle relative to a fore-aft axis of the vehicle; and/or an entranceway that opens a relatively low height relative to the ground.

Abstract: Doors of a vehicle, such as a delivery vehicle, are controlled based on user inputs. A user may input a vehicle exit mode and stop the vehicle. When an exit mode has been input and the stopping of the vehicle has been sensed, an exit door of the vehicle is opened, with the door being selected based upon said exit mode.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a Raised Axle and Suspension System that consists of a unique design that is intended to be used on a wide variety of front wheel drive vehicles and trailers by raising the axle overarm to an overhead position. This is accomplished by having the wheels on stub axles attached to a pivoting wheel support castings that are attached to frame attachment members. Angular support members are fixably attached to the frame attachment members and suspension support members that connect to the axle overarm. The axle overarm extends from the left side of the vehicle to the right side. The suspension springs extend between the suspension base members that are pivotally connected to the wheel support castings and the suspension support members along with conventional shock absorbers creating a spring cushioning system.

Abstract: A conversion assembly for enabling or improving wheelchair accessibility to a front-wheel-drive vehicle, wherein said assembly comprises rear suspension mountings for fixing to the structure of the vehicle in place of an existing rear suspension such that a portion of a floorpan of the vehicle of sufficient width to accommodate the width of a wheelchair can be lowered between said rear suspension mountings. A method of converting a front-wheel-drive vehicle to enable or improve wheelchair accessibility to the vehicle, the method including the steps of removing an existing rear suspension from the vehicle, installing rear suspension mountings to the vehicle, one at each side of the structure of the vehicle, and lowering a portion of the floorpan of the vehicle between said rear suspension mountings.

Abstract: A wheelchair conversion vehicle and a method of manufacturing a wheelchair conversion vehicle include replacing the OEM trailing arm with a trailing arm substitute and substantially reproducing the movement of the rear wheel OEM spindle along first or second arc paths between an upper limit and a lower limit. The upper limit is a distance above the OEM ride height and the lower limit is a distance below the OEM ride height. The conversion vehicle and method of manufacturing further include installing a wheelchair access system to provide wheelchair access to the wheelchair conversion vehicle.

Abstract: A floor section is formed at the rear of a vehicle body, at one side of the vehicle body. A lifting floor device having a floor body lifted and lowered by a lifting drive device is placed above the vehicle body. The floor body has a cutout at the left side of the floor body, at the rear half thereof. The right side of the floor body is used as a passage for a physically handicapped person. A stairway device is provided between the floor body and the floor section as a passage for an able-bodied person, on the floor body side in the cutout, and the stairway device is pivotable in a vertical plane. A lifting table is placed behind the vehicle body, on the left side thereof so that the lifting table can face the rear end of the passage for a physically handicapped person.

Abstract: A mass transit vehicle includes one or a combination of the following: floor portions that are angled for creating an incline of a floor of the buss; a door or entranceway that is angle relative to a fore-aft axis of the vehicle; and/or an entranceway that opens a relatively low height relative to the ground.

Abstract: An adjustable, articulable platform, changeable to and from a “U” shape to an “H” shape, is attachable to the distal end of an articulable support arm of a transport vehicle. The platform is arranged to adjustably surround an elevated chimney on at least three sides thereof. The platform comprises: a lower anchor plate centrally disposed within an elongated lower support frame; a rear anchor plate connected perpendicularly to the lower anchor plate, the rear anchor plate centrally and connectively disposed within an elongated rear wall frame, comprising bridging portions of the platform. A right sidewall frame and a left sidewall frame is connected to respective end portions of the elongated rear wall frame.

Abstract: A conversion assembly for enabling or improving wheelchair accessibility to a front-wheel-drive vehicle, wherein said assembly comprises rear suspension mountings for fixing to the structure of the vehicle in place of an existing rear suspension such that a portion of a floorpan of the vehicle of sufficient width to accommodate the width of a wheelchair can be lowered between said rear suspension mountings. A method of converting a front-wheel-drive vehicle to enable or improve wheelchair accessibility to the vehicle, the method including the steps of removing an existing rear suspension from the vehicle, installing rear suspension mountings to the vehicle, one at each side of the structure of the vehicle, and lowering a portion of the floorpan of the vehicle between said rear suspension mountings.

Abstract: An air suspension system for a load bearing vehicle which includes a pair of air springs fluidly connected to a pair of auxiliary air reservoirs and to a main air reservoir. The system includes control valves which permit the air in the air springs to be exhausted therefrom to lower the vehicle frame without exhausting the air from the auxiliary air reservoirs.

Abstract: An adjustable, articulable platform, changeable to and from a “U” shape to an “H” shape, is attachable to the distal end of an articulable support arm of a transport vehicle. The platform is arranged to adjustably surround an elevated chimney on at least three sides thereof. The platform comprises: a lower anchor plate centrally disposed within an elongated lower support frame; a rear anchor plate connected perpendicularly to the lower anchor plate, the rear anchor plate centrally and connectively disposed within an elongated rear wall frame, comprising bridging portions of the platform. A right sidewall frame and a left sidewall frame is connected to respective end portions of the elongated rear wall frame.

Abstract: An adjustable, articulable platform, changeable to and from a “U” shape to an “H” shape, is attachable to the distal end of an articulable support arm of a transport vehicle. The platform is arranged to adjustably surround an elevated chimney on at least three sides thereof. The platform comprises: a lower anchor plate centrally disposed within an elongated lower support frame; a rear anchor plate connected perpendicularly to the lower anchor plate, the rear anchor plate centrally and connectively disposed within an elongated rear wall frame, comprising bridging portions of the platform. A right sidewall frame and a left sidewall frame is connected to respective end portions of the elongated rear wall frame.

Abstract: An air suspension system for a load bearing vehicle which includes a pair of air springs fluidly connected to a pair of auxiliary air reservoirs and to a main air reservoir. The system includes control valves which permit the air in the air springs to be exhausted therefrom to lower the vehicle frame without exhausting the air from the auxiliary air reservoirs.

Abstract: A vehicle has a body and at least two trailing arm suspensions, one proximate each side of the body. Each trailing arm suspension has a swing arm pivotably mounted at one end to the body and a fluid suspension extending between the swing arm and the body. A wheel is rotatably mounted to a free end of each swing arm. A power plant is provided for powering each wheel and a control system is provided for controlling a volume of fluid in each fluid suspension. The vehicle may have a longitudinally extending body with a sliding side door riding along a track configured such that said door has an open position extending transversely of said body. The vehicle may have a monocoque body with at least substantially planar sides and at least one parcel shelf extending along an inside of, and attached to, each of the sides for stiffening the sides and resisting torsion.

Abstract: An in-vehicle device in a vehicle transmits a request signal and a portable device returns a response signal including an ID code. The in-vehicle device collates the ID code included in the response signal with a registration code stored therein. When the result of collating the ID code becomes OK, the in-vehicle device outputs a height decreasing signal to a vehicle height control device to decrease the height of the vehicle. Thus, the height of the vehicle is decreased at the time when a user holding the portable device gets in the vehicle or loads baggage, making it easier for users to get in the vehicle or to load baggage.

Abstract: A kneeling valve assembly for transport vehicles to enable a quick and convenient kneeling operation to permit safe ingress and egress from the vehicle. The kneeling valve assembly employs a suspension member positioned between the vehicle body and the axle of the transport vehicle to raise and lower the transport vehicle relative to a ground level. The kneeling valve assembly includes a first valve that is operable to selectively permit fluid flow between the inlet passage and the suspension member to raise the transport vehicle relative to the ground level. A second valve is provided that is operable to selectively permit fluid flow between the suspension member and the exhaust passage to lower the transport vehicle relative to the ground level. A leveling trigger is fluidly coupled to the inlet passage and is operable to determine a height of the transport vehicle relative to the ground level.

Abstract: A level control system for a motor vehicle having a vehicle body includes a plurality of air springs which can be filled or discharged with pressurized air to control the level of the vehicle body. A first control apparatus controls the functions of filling and discharging the air springs in dependence upon the level of the vehicle body. A communications channel interconnects the first control apparatus to a second control apparatus. A switch triggers an additional function in the level control system and this switch is movable between a first switching state and a second switching state. The switch is connected to the second control apparatus and the second control apparatus functions to transmit a signal sequence via the communications channel to the first control apparatus when the switch is transferred from the first switching state into the second switching state. The first control apparatus operates to carry out the additional function when the first control apparatus receives the signal sequence.

Abstract: A kneeling valve assembly for transport vehicles to enable a quick and convenient kneeling operation to permit safe ingress and egress from the vehicle. The kneeling valve assembly employs a suspension member positioned between the vehicle body and the axle of the transport vehicle to raise and lower the transport vehicle relative to a ground level. The kneeling valve assembly includes a first valve that is operable to selectively permit fluid flow between the inlet passage and the suspension member to raise the transport vehicle relative to the ground level. A second valve is provided that is operable to selectively permit fluid flow between the suspension member and the exhaust passage to lower the transport vehicle relative to the ground level. A leveling trigger is fluidly coupled to the inlet passage and is operable to determine a height of the transport vehicle relative to the ground level.

Abstract: A level control system controls the distance between the vehicle axles and the vehicle frame of a vehicle. The suspension is a full or partial air suspension, wherein the vehicle frame over the vehicle axles is supported via air suspension bellows. A vehicle inclination, i.e. a non-parallel alignment between vehicle frame and one or more of vehicle axles may occur as a result of various situations which may be dramatically different from one another. Uneven support of the vehicle represents one cause of vehicle inclination, for example, when one wheel of a vehicle axle is standing on the sidewalk. In order to avoid air losses, a vehicle level is not compensated for while the vehicle is stopped. Instead, the existing inclination is maintained and is entered into the control system as a target level. All level changes which occur due to changes in the load of the vehicle are compensated for by means of this prescribed target value.