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US 7,577,508 B2Granted
Mobility traction control system and method
AssigneeLockheed Martin Corporation
InventorPatrick J. Fitzgibbons
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method for vehicle mobility traction/ride control. The system includes a mode controller configured to output control signals to a variety of vehicle control subsystems in response to operator mode selection input.
Claims15
A method for determining vehicle ride characteristics corresponding to user-selectable vehicle traction control modes, comprising the steps of:
- receiving a user input to initiate a determination of at least one vehicle ride characteristic;
- outputting a control signal to configure a vehicle subsystem according to one of said user-selectable vehicle traction control modes;
- receiving a first input indicative of a chassis height with respect to at least one axle when said vehicle subsystem is configured according to said one user-selectable vehicle traction control mode, and a second input indicative of a weight on at least one axle when said vehicle subsystem is configured according to said one user-selectable vehicle traction control mode;
- and
- determining said at least one vehicle ride characteristic based on said first and second inputs.
2 more elements
A system for determining vehicle ride characteristics corresponding to user-selectable vehicle traction modes, comprising:
- input means for receiving a user input to initiate a determination of at least one vehicle ride characteristic;
- means for outputting a control signal to configure a vehicle subsystem according to one of said user-selectable vehicle traction control modes;
- means for receiving a first input indicative of a chassis height with respect to at least one axle when said vehicle subsystem is configured according to said one user-selectable vehicle traction control mode, and a second input indicative of a weight on at least one axle when said vehicle subsystem is configured according to said one user-selectable vehicle traction control mode;
- and
- means for determining said at least one vehicle ride characteristic based on said first and second inputs;
- wherein said user-selectable vehicle traction control modes includes a run flat control mode, and wherein said means for outputting a control signal is configured, in response to receiving a corresponding run flat user input via said input means, to lower a ride height on first, second and third corners of the vehicle with respect to a fourth corner that is closest to a flat tire.
3 more elements
A system for modifying vehicle ride characteristics based on user input, comprising:
- a vehicle mode controller;
- a user input apparatus coupled to the vehicle mode controller, said user input apparatus including at least a first keypad;
- and
- at least one vehicle subsystem controlled by the vehicle mode controller,
- wherein said first keypad receives a selection of a user-selectable vehicle traction/ride control mode,
- said vehicle mode controller outputs control information to said at least one vehicle subsystem based on said selected vehicle traction/ride control mode,
- said vehicle mode controller calculates a three-dimensional center of gravity of a vehicle based on a weight on at least one axle and a chassis height with respect to at least one axle, and
- said vehicle mode controller outputs the three-dimensional center of gravity, and
- said vehicle mode controller controls said vehicle subsystem based on said three-dimensional center of gravity.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.