US 2017/0080770 A1 · VEHICLE RIDE-HEIGHT DETERMINATION FOR CONTROL OF VEHICLE AERODYNAMICS

Abstract

A system is configured to control aerodynamics of a vehicle. The vehicle includes a vehicle body having a front end facing an ambient airflow when the vehicle is in motion relative to a road surface. The system includes an adjustable aerodynamic-aid element mounted to the vehicle body. The system also includes a mechanism configured to vary a position of the adjustable aerodynamic-aid element relative to the vehicle body and thereby control movement of the airflow. The system additionally includes a sensor configured to detect a height of the vehicle body relative to a predetermined reference frame and a controller configured to receive a signal from the sensor indicative of the detected vehicle body height. The controller is also configured to determine a ride-height of the vehicle using the detected vehicle body height and to regulate the mechanism in response to the determined ride-height to control aerodynamics of the vehicle.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A system for controlling aerodynamics of a vehicle, wherein the vehicle includes a vehicle body arranged along a longitudinal axis and having a first vehicle body end configured to face oncoming ambient airflow when the vehicle is in motion relative to a road surface, the system comprising:

an adjustable aerodynamic-aid element mounted to the vehicle body;
a mechanism configured to vary a position of the adjustable aerodynamic-aid element relative to the vehicle body to thereby control a movement of the ambient airflow relative the vehicle body;
a sensor arranged on the vehicle and configured to detect a height of the vehicle body relative to a predetermined reference point;
and
a controller configured to:
receive a signal from the sensor indicative of the detected height of the vehicle body relative to the predetermined reference point;
determine a ride-height of the vehicle using the detected height of the vehicle body relative to the predetermined reference point;
and
regulate the mechanism in response to the ride-height of the vehicle to control the aerodynamics of the vehicle.

6 more elements

A vehicle comprising:

a vehicle body arranged along a longitudinal axis and having a first vehicle body end configured to face oncoming ambient airflow when the vehicle is in motion relative to a road surface;
an adjustable aerodynamic-aid element mounted to the vehicle body;
a mechanism configured to vary a position of the adjustable aerodynamic-aid element relative to the vehicle body to thereby control a movement of the ambient airflow relative the vehicle body;
a sensor arranged on the vehicle and configured to detect a height of the vehicle body relative to a predetermined reference point;
and
a controller configured to:
receive a signal from the sensor indicative of the detected height of the vehicle body relative to the predetermined reference point;
determine a ride-height of the vehicle using the detected height of the vehicle body relative to the predetermined reference point;
and
regulate the mechanism in response to the determined ride-height of the vehicle to control aerodynamics of the vehicle.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Vehicle ride-height determination for control of vehicle aerodynamics

Life of this patent

Vehicle ride-height determination for control of vehicle aerodynamics

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20