Modular control system
AssigneeAir Lift Company
InventorJoshua D. Coombs
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A modular control system (500, 510) is disclosed for providing for modular control functions within vehicles. One embodiment of the modular control system (500) includes a driver interface unit (502) for controlling one or more air control units (504) through wireless communications. The air control units (504) can control functions such as air spring pressure, air spring height and the like. Another embodiment of the modular control system (510) uses a driver interface unit (512) for controlling air control units (518) through wire applications (514, 516).
Claims22
A modular control system adapted for use in a vehicle, for adjustment of air suspension systems, said control system comprising:
- a driver interface means adapted to be visually accessible to a driver of said vehicle, wherein the driver interface generates a plurality of interface control signals in response to actions initiated by the driver, the interface control signals being indicative of selectable states of operation of said air suspension systems, each selectable state being characterized by one of an operating air pressure and an operating height;
- and
- an air suspension control unit remote from the driver interface, the air suspension control unit including a housing defining a manifold in fluid communication with said air suspension systems through at least one valve, said air suspension control unit further including an electronic control unit mounted on said housing and communicatively coupled to said driver interface, said electronic control unit operating the at least one valve responsive to said interface control signals to control air flow between the manifold and said air suspension systems.
(canceled)
(canceled)
(canceled)
(canceled)
(canceled)
(canceled)
A modular system for controlling a supply of pressurized air to a plurality of vehicle air suspension systems in response to an input from a vehicle driver, the system comprising:
- a first air control unit including
- a first housing with a plurality of first internal air passages defining a first manifold receiving the supply of pressurized air, wherein at least one of the first air passages is in fluid communication with a first selected one of the air suspension systems,
- a first air pressure sensor on the housing in communication with one of the first air passages generating an output representative of an air pressure achieved in the one of the first air passages,
- a plurality of first valves on the housing controlling a flow of the supply of pressurized air through the first air passages, and
- a first unit controller on the first housing operating the first valves in response to the output of the first pressure sensor and an control signal generated externally of the first air control unit;
- and
- a first driver interface in communication with the first unit controller, the first driver interface generating the control signal in response to the driver input.
A modular system for controlling a supply of pressurized air to a plurality of vehicle suspension systems in response to an input from a vehicle driver, the system comprising:
- a first driver interface generating a control signal in response to the driver input;
- a first air control unit including
- a first housing with a plurality of first internal air passages defining a first manifold receiving the supply of pressurized air, wherein one of the first air passages is in fluid communication with one of the suspension systems,
- a plurality of first valves on the housing controlling a flow of the supply of pressurized air through the first air passages, and
- a first unit controller on the first housing in communication with the first driver interface, wherein the first unit controller operates the first valves in response to the control signal;
- and
- a second air control unit including
- a second housing with a plurality of second internal air passages defining a second manifold receiving the supply of pressurized air, wherein at least one of the second air passages is in fluid communication with a second selected one of the air suspension systems,
- a second air pressure sensor on the housing in communication with one of the second air passages generating an output representative of an air pressure achieved in the one of the second air passages,
- a second valve on the housing controlling a flow of the supply of pressurized air through one of the second air passages, and
- a second unit controller operating the second valve in response to the control signal generated externally of the first air control unit and at least one of the output of the first pressure sensor and the output of the second pressure sensor,
- wherein the first unit controller is in electrical communication with the second unit controller.
The modular system of claim 19, further comprising a first air pressure sensor on the housing in communication with one of the first air passages generating an output representative of an air pressure achieved in the one of the first air passages.
The modular system of claim 19, wherein the second manifold of the second air control unit is connected to the first manifold of the first air control unit.
The modular system of claim 19, further comprising a second driver interface in communication with the first unit controller, the second driver interface generating the control signal in response to the driver input.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.