US 6,665,597 B1 · Automatic suspension control system for motor vehicles

Abstract

A vehicle ride-height and automatic suspension control system for a vehicle having an air suspension system. The automatic suspension control system provides the vehicle operator with selectable ride-heights and controls vehicle level as it rounds curves or corners. The system utilizes a series of photoelectric sensors that are linked between the vehicle chassis and axles and are combined with the vehicle steering system. Continuously sampling of the photoelectric sensors by a controller increments or decrements a digital register. When the counter reaches either the upper or lower selected threshold values the appropriate air bag is inflated or deflated for a duration of time. System sensitivity is adjustable by selecting different counter thresholds and by selecting the duration of air bag inflation or deflation.

Claims13

Dependent claims

An automatic suspension control system for controlling the suspension system of a motor vehicle moving at variable speeds and having a steering system including a steering wheel, and having a chassis, an axle, and an air bag suspension system that includes inflatable air bags supporting the chassis on the axle, the control system comprising:

an operator controlled selector for selecting desired ride-height values for the vehicle chassis with respect to the vehicle axle;
a sensor for monitoring the actual ride-height of the vehicle chassis with respect to the vehicle axle and producing a high or low signal when the vehicle chassis is above or below the selected ride height value;
a digital register for receiving and counting the signals and producing a net positive or negative register value during a selected time period;
a controller for creating desired threshold positive and negative register values and monitoring the time duration during which a register value was above or below a desired threshold value;
and
a pneumatic system for inflating or deflating selected air bags to adjust he actual ride-height in response to the controller.

3 more elements

A method for controlling the suspension system of a motor vehicle while moving at variable speeds, the vehicle having a steering system including a steering wheel, and having a chassis, an axle, and an air bag suspension system that includes inflatable air bags supporting the chassis on the axle, the method comprising the steps of:

selecting desired ride-height values for the vehicle chassis with respect to the vehicle axle;
monitoring the actual ride-height of the vehicle chassis with respect to the vehicle axle;
producing a high or low signal when the vehicle chassis is above or below the selected ride height value;
counting the signals and producing a net positive or negative register value during a selected time period;
creating desired threshold positive and negative register values;
monitoring the time duration during which a register value was above or below the desired threshold value;
and
inflating or deflating selected air bags to adjust the actual ride-height in response to the threshold values and time.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Automatic suspension control system for motor vehicles

Life of this patent

Automatic suspension control system for motor vehicles

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims13