Lateral Vehicle Attitude Patents (Class 280/6.16)
  • Patent number: 11772709
    Abstract: A vehicle body includes a plurality of shock absorber housings, each shock absorber housing adapted to cover and support a respective shock absorber connected to a respective wheel of a vehicle, wherein each of the shock absorber housings includes a projection projecting upwards from a lower end of the shock absorber housing with an internal space therein, wherein the lower end of the shock absorber housing or the projection is coupled to the shock absorber such that the shock absorber is disposed in the internal space in the projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventors: Chul Hee Heo, Tae Gyu Park, Ho Yeon Kim, Sun Hyung Cho, Seok Ju Gim, Ji Ae Yong
  • Patent number: 11752824
    Abstract: A suspension system includes a spring assembly including a gas spring and an accumulator, and a controller. The accumulator is coupled to the gas spring and includes a bladder. The accumulator has a compressed state and an uncompressed state. The controller is configured to a) determine a target amount of gas in the spring assembly and b) adjust the amount of gas in the spring assembly towards the target amount of gas based on a pressure difference across the bladder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Oshkosh Defense, LLC
    Inventors: Deepak Shukla, David Hansen, Ron Zhang
  • Patent number: 9004499
    Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle having a vehicle body and a road wheel includes a suspension corner connecting the road wheel to the vehicle body. The suspension corner maintains contact between the road wheel and a road surface. The suspension system includes a bladder arranged at the suspension corner for pumping a fluid in response to forces generated at the wheel and holding a volume of the fluid. The suspension system also includes an accumulator in fluid communication with the bladder for selectively accumulating the fluid pumped by and releasing the fluid to the bladder. The suspension system additionally includes a valve for selectively retaining the accumulated fluid in and releasing thereof from the accumulator. The height of the bladder varies in response to the volume of fluid being held by the bladder to set a ride height of the vehicle at the suspension corner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Robert E. Zeweke, Andrew R. Krenz, Richard J. Lannen
  • Patent number: 8899600
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device mounted on a wheel set that comprises: a rocker beam 14 connected firstly to a tiltable frame 10 by means of a shock absorber 17 and secondly to two oscillating arms 7, 8 via two connecting rods 13, 15; and blocking means 27 having a first anchor point on said rocker beam 14. Furthermore, the device comprises decoupling means constituted by a horizontal lever 21 and a vertical lever 22 that are connected together by a connection point 24 about which they are capable of pivoting, the free ends of said levers being connected respectively to said frame and to said rocker beam, the second anchor point of said blocking means 27 being on said decoupling means. The invention also provides a vehicle, in particular a quadricycle, provided with the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Veleance
    Inventors: Jerome Gaillard-Groleas, Gilles Schaeffer
  • Patent number: 8408559
    Abstract: An active geometry control suspension system may include an active roll control unit having a guide rail formed along a predetermined distance in a front-rear direction from a rail seat inserted down from above a lower arm, sliders slidably fitting in the guide rail, a stabilizer link with one end pivotally coupled to the sliders, a pushrod with one end pivotally connected to the sliders, and an actuator having an operation bar, one end of which may be pivotally connected to the other end of the pushrod, the operating bar operating forward or backward, wherein the one end of the stabilizer link and the one end of the pushrod may be connected to the sliders through a double ball joint, and the other end of the pushrod and the one end of the operation bar may be connected through a ball joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Un Koo Lee, Sung Bae Jang, Pil Young Jeong
  • Publication number: 20110148053
    Abstract: A self-propelled, dirigible agricultural vehicle includes a height-adjustable chassis with an axle and a driven wheel hub. The axle is shiftable between a normal clearance position above the wheel hub and a relatively higher elevated clearance position. The chassis further includes a kingpin and a spacer section that is removably connectable to the kingpin. The axle is in the normal clearance position when the spacer is removed from the kingpin and is in the elevated clearance position when the spacer is connected to the kingpin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: AGCO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Vijay Motebennur, James Slawson, John Buschena
  • Patent number: 7946596
    Abstract: A motor vehicle is provided. The motor vehicle comprises a vehicle body, a front wheel, a rear wheel and a tilting mechanism. The front wheel, the rear wheel and the tilting mechanism are disposed on the vehicle body. The tilting mechanism comprises a first compensation unit, a first arm, a first wheel, a second compensation unit, a second arm, a second wheel, at least one pipe and a fluid. The first arm is connected to the first compensation unit, and the first wheel. The second arm is connected to the second compensation unit, and the second wheel. The pipe connects the first compensation unit to the second compensation unit. The fluid flows in the first compensation unit, the second compensation unit and the pipe, wherein when the motor vehicle tilts, an extension length of the first compensation unit equals to a compression length of the second compensation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: National Taiwan University of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Mau-Pin Hsu, Chia-Ming Wu, Chia-En Lee, Ta-Chan Peng
  • Patent number: 7815200
    Abstract: A high accuracy medical trailer leveling system capable of detecting at least three level orientations including level along a longitudinal direction, level along a lateral direction at the front of the trailer, and level along a lateral direction at the rear of the trailer. The system also includes sensors that detect a level orientation in the longitudinal direction at the front of the trailer and a level orientation in the longitudinal direction at the rear of the trailer. A touch pad has buttons for controlling the system and a display screen, the display screen being capable of displaying a level condition in a particular location of the trailer and direction. The display screen can display the level orientation of side to side, front; side to side, rear; and front to back, and can also display the angle of inclination. One set of lights on the control pad indicates which jacks to actuate to level the vehicle, and another set of lights indicates which jacks are being actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Actuant Corporation
    Inventor: Nikesh Bakshi
  • Patent number: 7761258
    Abstract: A system for indicating the state of load of a vehicle having suspension components comprising: at least one transducer mountable on a single suspension component such that a signal relating to the angular deflection of the suspension component can be generated; and a controller configured to receive the signal and generate an output representative of the state of load of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Vishay PM Onboard Ltd.
    Inventor: Duncan Brown
  • Publication number: 20100133764
    Abstract: A method of adjusting a suspension run height includes: pivotably mounting a leveling valve to a hanger bracket; attaching an indicator arm to a suspension component which displaces relative to the hanger bracket; and pivoting the leveling valve relative to the hanger bracket to thereby adjust the run height of the frame relative to the suspension component. A run height adjustment system includes: a leveling valve having a leveling arm pivotably mounted thereto at a first pivot, and an indicator arm being pivotably mounted to the leveling arm at a second pivot; an adjustment lever for pivoting the leveling valve about a third pivot; and the third pivot being positioned longitudinally between the first and second pivots. Another run height adjustment system includes: a leveling arm pivotably mounted to a leveling valve; an adjustment lever for pivoting the leveling valve; and the adjustment lever pivotably mounted to a hanger bracket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: WATSON & CHALIN MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventor: Todd GREAVES
  • Publication number: 20100052272
    Abstract: A system for maintaining a vehicle front end air spring suspension level, for a vehicle having a designed load imbalance, includes a height control valve mounted on the higher load side of the vehicle and controlling compressed air to the air springs of the vehicle suspension. A pressure reduction valve is interposed in a conduit feeding the air spring on the lower loaded side, the pressure reduction valve being set to reduce the pressure of air delivered to the second air spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: Volvo National Service Road
    Inventor: John Peter Beilmann
  • Patent number: 7600596
    Abstract: A vehicle provided with at least three wheels, with a first frame part having at least two footboards, and a second frame part. The second frame part is connected to the first frame part in such a way that it can tilt about a tilting axis running in the longitudinal direction. The second frame part includes a control element and a driver's seat. A tilting member is connected to a first and second frame part, in order to exert a tilting force upon the second frame part on the basis of a control signal, a sensor being connected to the first frame part for measuring a force or moment exerted by a driver upon the first frame part and/or to determine a position of the rider relative to the footboard. The sensor is connected to the tilting member and feeds the control signal to the tilting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Brinks Westmaas B.V.
    Inventors: Christopher Ralph Van Den Brink, Hendrik Marinus Kroonen
  • Publication number: 20090108546
    Abstract: An adjustment device for suspension means in wheel suspensions of motor vehicles, with the suspension means having a first spring, for example a bearing spring that is arranged between the assembly of the motor vehicle and wheel guide elements, and/or a second spring, for example a preloaded spring that is connected in parallel or in series, as well as an electrically-actuated actuator, by means of which a force adjustment between the motor vehicle assembly and the wheel guide elements is made possible. According to the invention, the electric actuator is provided with an integrated brake or lock that acts in a bistable manner in such a way that in the unpowered state, it can occupy an open or closed position, and can be switched by means of electric actuation from the open to the closed position and vice versa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventors: Armin OHLETZ, Wilfried Michel
  • Patent number: 6752402
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Continental Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jörg Grotendorst, Oliver König, Marc Nettelmann
  • Publication number: 20040108663
    Abstract: A four-wheel industrial truck with a swing axle for the rear wheels, a drive, and a control device for said drive that generates an actuating signal for the drive in response to a transducer signal wherein a stop is provided on the bodywork of the industrial truck that cooperates with the body of the swing axle, characterized in that a switch is arranged on the axle stop and the switch is coupled to the control device so as to reduce the drive torque of the drive when the switch is actuated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Applicant: Jungheinrich Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Paul Rickers
  • Patent number: 6446980
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Eberhard Kutscher, Hans-Rudolf Steinert
  • Patent number: 6416061
    Abstract: This invention relates to hydraulic suspension systems and in particular to vehicle oleopneumatic suspension systems employing sliding pillar struts. There is provided a suspension system for a vehicle comprising a plurality of suspension struts, each mounted between a vehicle body and a wheel assembly, each including a cylinder having a closed end and an inner bore; a piston rod slideable within the inner bore having a proximal end which terminates within the inner bore and a distal end which extends from the inner bore. Between the inner bore and the piston rod there is mounted an oil seal which seals a strut volume. A hydrostatic bearing is mounted within and vents into the strut volume. A hydraulic circuit and associated control system is adapted to control flow of hydraulic fluid between the strut volume and a reservoir, thereby providing control of at least the time-averaged axial position of the piston rod relative to its corresponding inner bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Birrana Engineering PTY LTD
    Inventors: Peter John French, Paul Van De Loo
  • Patent number: 6168171
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shoichi Shono, Atushi Sato