System and method for adjusting a motor vehicle chassis

• US 10,179,495 B2
• Filed: 01/20/2017
• Issued: 01/15/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Saeger, Martin, Baales, Simon, Seemann, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Condra, Darlene P
• Application Number:
  US15/411,767
• Publication Number:
  US 20170210193A1
• Time in Patent Office: 725 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 11/26 having fluid springs only, e.g. hydropneumatic springs B60G11/006, B60G15/12 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/017 characterised by their use when the vehicle is stationary, e.g. during loading, engine start-up or switch-off
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 21/005 transversally
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2300/044 Truck-trailer connections
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/104 lateral or transversal with regard to vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/60 Load
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2401/14 Photo or light sensitive means, e.g. Infrared
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2500/30 Height or ground clearance
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2500/324 only rear part
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/9122 ARS - Anti-Roll System Control

Abstract

An adjustment system and method for adjusting a chassis property of a motor vehicle wherein an understeering sensitivity of the motor vehicle is increased upon detecting that a trailer has been coupled to the motor vehicle. A detection unit operates to detect when a trailer is attached or coupled to the motor vehicle.

Claims

1. A system for adjusting a chassis property of a motor vehicle comprising:

a front axle;

a rear axle;

an adjustable chassis adjuster associated with one of the front axle and rear axle effective to increase vehicle understeer;

a detector; and

a controller connected to and adjusting said adjustable chassis adjuster based on a trailer attached signal from said detector.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said adjustable chassis adjuster includes a lateral stabilizer member.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said adjustable chassis adjuster includes an active lateral stabilizer member having an actuator.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said adjustable chassis adjuster includes a vertical chassis actuator.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said adjustable chassis adjuster includes an air spring.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said detector includes a contact detector positioned between a trailer hitch on the vehicle and a trailer.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said detector is a yaw or lateral acceleration sensor.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein said detector is a camera.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein said detector is a proximity sensor.

10. A system for adjusting a motor vehicle comprising:

a front axle;

a rear axle;

an adjustable chassis adjuster associated with one of the front axle and rear axle;

a detector generating a trailer attached signal; and

a controller receiving said trailer attached signal and signaling said adjustable chassis adjuster to increase an understeer of the motor vehicle when said trailer attached signal is received.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the system increases the vehicle understeer characteristic by increasing roll stability of a front axle.

12. The system of claim 10 wherein the system increases the vehicle understeer characteristic by reducing roll stability of the rear axle.