Vehicle suspension control system and method of operation thereof

A method of operating an air management system during one of lowering and raising a vehicle, comprising the steps of:

• operating a plurality of front suspension valves coupled to a plurality of front air springs and a plurality of rear suspension valves coupled to a plurality of rear air springs to initiate one of lowering and raising the vehicle;
• operating at least one leveling assist subassembly coupled to the plurality of front suspension valves and the plurality of rear suspension valves;
• providing enhanced air flow to and from at least one of the plurality of front air springs and the plurality of rear air springs using the at least one leveling assist subassembly;
• and
• maintaining the vehicle in a level orientation while at least one of lowering and raising the vehicle,
• wherein the step of operating the plurality of front suspension valves coupled to the plurality of front air springs and the plurality of rear suspension valves coupled to the plurality of rear air springs to initiate one of lowering and raising the vehicle includes opening the plurality of front suspension valves coupled to the plurality of front air springs and the plurality of rear suspension valves coupled to the plurality of rear air springs to initiate lowering the vehicle,
• wherein the method further includes the step of opening an exhaust valve coupled to the plurality of front suspension valves and the plurality of rear suspension valves to exhaust air from the plurality of front air springs and the plurality of rear air springs and wherein the step of operating at least one leveling assist subassembly coupled to the plurality of front suspension valves and the plurality of rear suspension valves includes opening an accumulator valve coupled to an accumulator and to the plurality of front suspension valves and the plurality of rear suspension valves to allow air from the plurality of front air springs and the plurality of rear air springs not exhausted through the exhaust valve to be exhausted to the accumulator.

An air management system for controlling an air suspension assembly of an automotive vehicle comprising:

• a pressurized air source;
• a manifold block coupled to said pressurized air source and including a plurality of front suspension valves and a plurality of rear suspension valves in fluid communication with said pressurized air source for controlling air flow to and from a plurality of front air springs and a plurality of rear air springs;
• at least one leveling assist subassembly in fluid communication with said plurality of front suspension valves and said plurality of rear suspension valves to allow air flow to and from the plurality of front air springs and the plurality of rear air springs;
• and
• an electronic control unit electrically coupled to said plurality of front suspension valves and said plurality of rear suspension valves and said at least one leveling assist subassembly for controlling a sequence of operating said at least one leveling assist subassembly and said plurality of front suspension valves and said plurality of rear suspension valves to enhance the air flow from the plurality of front air springs and the plurality of rear air springs to maintain the vehicle in a level orientation while at least one of lowering and raising the vehicle,
• wherein said pressurized air source includes a compressor and a reservoir tank coupled to said manifold block and said manifold block further includes a first reservoir valve in fluid communication with said plurality of front suspension valves and said reservoir tank,
• wherein the air management system further includes at least one reservoir fill valve disposed in said manifold block for filling said reservoir tank.