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Automotive suspension system with variable damping characteristics

  • US 4,696,489 A
  • Filed: 01/13/1986
  • Issued: 09/29/1987
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/14/1985
  • Status: Expired
First Claim
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1. A suspension control system for an automotive vehicle comprising:

  • a vehicular suspension system with damping characteristics variable at least between a first harder suspension mode and a second softer suspension mode;

    a first sensor means for monitoring vertical displacement of a vehicle body within a gravity field and producing a first sensor signal indicative of the vertical speed of said vehicle body;

    a second sensor means for monitoring relative distance between the vehicle body and a vehicular wheel assembly and producing a second sensor signal indicative of the relative speed between said vehicle body and said wheel assembly;

    a controller responsive to said first and second sensor signals for predicting the effect of damping characteristics of the suspension system from between a first condition in which said damping characteristics of the suspension system act to amplify vehicle body vibrations and a second condition in which damping characteristics of the suspension system act to absorb vehicle body vibrations, said controller causing said vehicular suspension system to assume said second softer suspension mode when said first condition is predicted and to assume said first harder suspension mode when said second condition is predicted.

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