# US 10,369,857 B2 · Methods and apparatus to control vehicle tilt > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,369,857 B2 - Document ID: US10369857B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/366,744 - Filed: 2016-12-01 - Published: 2018-06-07 - Granted: 2019-08-06 - Earliest claimed: 2016-12-01 - Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Applicants: Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Inventors: Erick Michael Lavoie - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10369857B2 ## CPC - B60G 17/017: characterised by their use when the vehicle is stationary, e.g. during loading, engine start-up or switch-off - B60G 17/018: characterised by the use of a specific signal treatment or control method - B60G 17/019: characterised by the type of sensor or the arrangement thereof {(B60G17/01941 takes precedence)} - B60G 2400/82: Ground surface - B60G 2500/30: Height or ground clearance - B60G 2600/202: using a remote, e.g. cordless, transmitter or receiver unit - B60G 2600/70: Computer memory; Data storage, e.g. maps for adaptive control - B60G 2800/019: Inclination due to load distribution or road gradient - B60G: VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS (air-cushion vehicles B60V; {cycle suspensions B62K25/00}) ## Abstract Methods and apparatus to control vehicle tilt are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes a plurality of actuators of a vehicle, where each actuator is to be length adjustable, and a controller communicatively coupled to the actuators, where the controller to vary a height of at least one of the actuators to adjust a tilt of the vehicle to facilitate loading or removal of an object relative to the vehicle. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus comprising: a sensor to measure a height of a person; a plurality of length adjustable actuators of a vehicle; and a controller communicatively coupled to the actuators, wherein the controller varies, based on the measured height of the person, a height of at least one of the actuators, and wherein varying the height adjusts a tilt of the vehicle to facilitate loading or removal of an object relative to the vehicle. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus as defined in claim 1, further including a portable device interface that is communicatively coupled to a portable device, wherein the portable device controls the tilt of the vehicle. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the sensor is a first sensor, and further including a second sensor, wherein the controller adjusts the tilt further based on data from the second sensor. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein the second sensor measures ground topography proximate the vehicle. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein the second sensor measures a location of an object on or within the vehicle. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein the second sensor determines a gesture performed by a person. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the controller adjusts the tilt further based on a topography of an area proximate the vehicle. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the vehicle is tilted about multiple axes. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus as defined in claim 1, further including an object identifier, wherein the controller adjusts the tilt of the vehicle further based on an identification of an object made by the object identifier. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the actuators include shocks. ### Claim 11 A method comprising: measuring, via a sensor, a height of a person; determining, by executing instructions with at least one processor, a desired orientation angle of a vehicle to facilitate loading or unloading of an object relative to the vehicle based on the measured height of the person; and varying a length of at least one adjustable actuator of the vehicle, wherein varying the length of the at least one adjustable actuator causes the vehicle to be at the desired orientation angle. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method as defined in claim 11, wherein the sensor is a first sensor, and further including measuring, via a second sensor, a topography of an area proximate the vehicle, wherein varying the length of the at least one adjustable actuator is based on the topography. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The method as defined in claim 11, wherein varying the length of the at least one adjustable actuator includes activating actuators of the at least one adjustable actuator at different times in a timed sequence. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The method as defined in claim 11, wherein determining the desired orientation angle of the vehicle is further based on a location of the object relative to the vehicle. ### Claim 15 A tangible machine readable medium comprising instructions, which when executed, cause a processor to at least: calculate a desired tilt angle of a stationary vehicle to facilitate loading or unloading of an object relative to the vehicle based on a height of a person measured via a sensor; and cause at least one actuator of the vehicle to tilt the vehicle at the desired tilt angle. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The machine readable medium as defined in claim 15, wherein the instructions cause the processor to generate a timed sequence of tilt angles to facilitate the loading or the unloading of the object relative to the vehicle. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The machine readable medium as defined in claim 15, wherein the desired tilt angle of the vehicle is calculated based on the vehicle tilting about multiple axes. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The machine readable medium as defined in claim 15, wherein the desired tilt angle is calculated further based on input received from a portable device.