Vehicle suspension control system
AssigneeNarton Corporation
InventorsDavid Shank, Peter Strom
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention is intended for use with a motor vehicle having at least one fluid-pressurized height adjusting member having first and second separable components. Apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention includes an integrated vehicle ride height system control system. The control system includes an electronic output drive signal circuit and input signal interpretation circuit to electronically interface with at least one position sensor. The position sensor provides output signals related to extent of separation of said first and second separable components of the fluid pressurized height adjusting member.
Claims12
For use with a motor vehicle having at least one fluid-pressurized height adjusting member having first and second separable components, vehicle ride height control apparatus comprising:
- a) at least one position sensor which provides output signals related to extent of separation of first and second separable components of at least one fluid-pressurized height adjusting member;
- b) at least one fluid pressure sensor which provides output signals related to a pressure in said at least one fluid-pressurized height-adjusting member;
- c) monitoring circuitry to electronically interface with at least one position sensor and at least one fluid pressure sensor;
- d) electronic output circuitry to actuate one or more fluid flow valves which apply pressure to said at least one fluid-pressurized height adjusting member to actuate raising thereof and wherein said one or more fluid flow valves release pressure from said at least one fluid-pressurized height adjusting member to actuate lowering thereof;
- e) a fluid pressure source which provides fluid power to the at least one fluid-pressurized height adjusting member;
- and
- f) electronic circuitry incorporating control instructions for activating vehicle height control output functions in response to vehicle input signals.
For use with a motor vehicle having at least one fluid-pressurized height adjusting member having first and second separable components, a vehicle ride height control method comprising:
- a) monitoring an output from at least one position sensor which provides output signals related to extent of separation of said first and second separable components of at least one fluid pressurized height adjusting member;
- b) monitoring an output from at least one fluid pressure sensor which provides output signals related to said at least one fluid-pressurized height-adjusting member;
- c) actuating one or more fluid flow valves which apply pressure to said at least one fluid-pressurized height adjusting member to actuate raising and lowering of a portion of the motor vehicle with respect to a road surface;
- and
- d) controlling at least one fluid pressure pump to provide system fluid power for pressurizing the height adjusting member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.