Active suspension system for a vehicle and method of operating the same

A method of controlling an active suspension system for a vehicle, comprising the steps of:

• (a) receiving one or more external vehicle input(s) checking the state of a vehicle cruise control;
• (b) using the external vehicle input(s) and the state of the vehicle cruise control to determine a desired vehicle height, if the vehicle cruise control is active then selecting a lowered vehicle height;
• and
• (c) adjusting the active suspension system to the desired vehicle height, wherein steps (a) and (b) are performed before step (c).

An active suspension system for a vehicle, comprising:

• a suspension control module electronically coupled to one or more internal vehicle input(s), one or more external vehicle input(s), and a vehicle cruise control;
• an actuator controlled by the suspension control module;
• and
• a sprung mass mechanically coupled to the actuator, wherein the suspension control module uses information from the internal and external vehicle input(s) to drive the actuator and control a vehicle height, and if the vehicle cruise control is active then the suspension control module sets the vehicle height to a lowered vehicle height.

An active suspension system for a vehicle, comprising:

• a suspension control module electronically coupled to one or more internal vehicle input(s) and one or more external vehicle input(s);
• an actuator controlled by the suspension control module;
• and
• a sprung mass mechanically coupled to the actuator, wherein the suspension control module uses information from the internal and external vehicle input(s) to determine if cautionary conditions exist that make adjusting the active suspension system less than ideal and, when there are no cautionary conditions, to drive the actuator and change a vehicle height between a lowered vehicle height for improved fuel efficiency, ride comfort or ride handling, a default vehicle height for typical driving conditions, or a raised vehicle height for certain off-road conditions.