Variable ride height systems and methods
AssigneeHarley-Davidson Motor Company Group, Inc.
InventorsBrian Ginther, Joseph P. Lomonaco, Maxim Kolesnikov, Bryan Fulmer
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Actuator assemblies and methods and systems for using the same. One actuator assembly includes an actuator, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive a command signal from a vehicle electronic control unit, receive a data signal from a sensor, determine a control signal for the actuator based on the command signal from the vehicle electronic control unit and the data signal from the sensor, transmit the control signal to the actuator, determine a status signal based on the control signal, and transmit the status signal to the vehicle electronic control unit.
Claims25
An assembly for a vehicle, the assembly comprising:
- an actuator, and
- a controller configured to
- receive a command signal from a vehicle electronic control unit,
- receive a data signal from a sensor,
- determine a control signal for the actuator based on the command signal from the vehicle electronic control unit and the data signal from the sensor,
- transmit the control signal to the actuator,
- determine a status signal based on the control signal, and
- transmit the status signal to the vehicle electronic control unit.
A system for controlling a suspension system of a vehicle, the system comprising:
- a first actuator assembly associated with a front suspension system of a vehicle, the first actuator assembly including
- a first actuator, and
- a first controller configured to
- receive a first command signal from a vehicle electronic control unit,
- receive a first data signal from a first sensor,
- determine a first control signal for the first actuator based on the first command signal from the vehicle electronic control unit and the first data signal from the first sensor,
- transmit the first control signal to the first actuator,
- determine a first status signal based on the first control signal, and
- transmit the first status signal to the vehicle electronic control unit;
- and
- a second actuator assembly associated with a rear suspension system of the vehicle, the second actuator assembly including
- a second actuator, and
- a second controller configured to
- receive a second command signal from the vehicle electronic control unit,
- receive a second data signal from a second sensor,
- determine a second control signal for the second actuator based on the second command signal from the vehicle electronic control unit and the second data signal from the second sensor,
- transmit the second control signal to the second actuator,
- determine a second status signal based on the second control signal, and
- transmit the second status signal to the vehicle electronic control unit.
A method of controlling a vehicle, the method comprising:
- receiving, by a first controller, an input signal representing vehicle operating parameters;
- receiving, by the first controller, a target displacement determined by a second controller for a first suspension system of the vehicle;
- determining, by the first controller, a target displacement for a second suspension system of the vehicle based on the target displacement received from the second controller and the input signal;
- and
- setting a height of the second suspension system based on the target displacement determined by the first controller for the second suspension system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.