Electric control device for vehicle suspension system
First Claim
1. In a vehicle comprising an engine, a battery, an ignition switch and a vehicle suspension system including a fluid-operated self-levelling suspension unit, an electrically controlled fluid pressure control valve for the suspension unit, and an electric vehicle-level control device for producing an output for actuating the fluid pressure control valve, said electric vehicle-level control device comprising:
- (a) level detecting means responsive to variation in the level of a vehicle body over a road surface for producing a signal in response to a vehicle level higher or lower than a predetermined level,(b) control circuit means responsive to the signal from said detecting means and controlling said valve on the basis of said signal, said control circuit means including a timing means for generating an output signal at a predetermined time after the signal from the detecting means is fed to the control circuit, and(c) a battery energy feeding circuit responsive to said ignition switch to supply energy stored in said battery to said control circuit means, said battery energy feeding circuit comprising switching means for selectively supplying battery energy to the control circuit means, and an off-delay circuit responsive to said ignition switch to produce a command for maintaining said switching means closed for a predetermined time period following an opening of said ignition switch.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electric vehicle-level control device is provided for controlling an electrically operated fluid pressure control device for a pneumatic, hydraulic or hydro-pneumatic suspension unit such as a hydro-pneumatic suspension strut of a self-levelling suspension system for an automotive vehicle. The control device comprises a timing or delay circuit adapted to deliver an output signal at a predetermined retarded timing following generation of (1) a signal responsive to a vehicle level higher or lower than a predetermined value, or (2) a signal responsive to shutdown of a power plant such as an internal combustion engine of an automotive vehicle.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. In a vehicle comprising an engine, a battery, an ignition switch and a vehicle suspension system including a fluid-operated self-levelling suspension unit, an electrically controlled fluid pressure control valve for the suspension unit, and an electric vehicle-level control device for producing an output for actuating the fluid pressure control valve, said electric vehicle-level control device comprising:
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(a) level detecting means responsive to variation in the level of a vehicle body over a road surface for producing a signal in response to a vehicle level higher or lower than a predetermined level, (b) control circuit means responsive to the signal from said detecting means and controlling said valve on the basis of said signal, said control circuit means including a timing means for generating an output signal at a predetermined time after the signal from the detecting means is fed to the control circuit, and (c) a battery energy feeding circuit responsive to said ignition switch to supply energy stored in said battery to said control circuit means, said battery energy feeding circuit comprising switching means for selectively supplying battery energy to the control circuit means, and an off-delay circuit responsive to said ignition switch to produce a command for maintaining said switching means closed for a predetermined time period following an opening of said ignition switch. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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Specification