Automated control system for vehicle leveling and elimination of torsion in a vehicle chassis

• US 6,768,936 B2
• Filed: 09/05/2003
• Issued: 07/27/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Preston Product Design & Development
• Original Assignee: Preston Product Design & Development
• Inventors: Fiorletta, Carl A., Burnes, Richard V. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Camby, Richard M.
• Application Number:
  US10/656,016
• Publication Number:
  US 20040049330A1
• Time in Patent Office: 326 Days
• Field of Search: 701/36, 701/37, 701/1, 280/427, 280/432
• US Class Current: 701/37
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/005 Suspension locking arrangements for retractable wheels B62D61/12
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2300/04 Trailers
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2300/38 Low or lowerable bed vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/0511 Roll angle
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/0512 Pitch angle
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2401/20 Switches, e.g. mercury or ball type switches
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2401/26 Resistance type, e.g. as level indicator
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2401/902 the sensor being an xy axis sensor
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2500/30 Height or ground clearance
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/0122 Roll rigidity ratio; Warping
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/014 Pitch; Nose dive
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/019 Inclination due to load distribution or road gradient
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/20 Stationary vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/2042 using an anticreep mechanism to lock the height
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/912 Attitude Control; levelling control
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 1/045 Levelling or stabilising systems for tippers suspensions with levelling or stabilising means for vehicles in general B60G17/00, B60G21/00, using ground-engaging vehicle fittings B60S9/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 3/34 the living accommodation being expansible, collapsible or capable of rearrangement B60P3/38 takes precedence; tents supported at least partially by vehicles E04H15/06
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 9/12 of telescopic type

Abstract

An electronic control system is provided to measure chassis twist from the front of the chassis to the rear of the chassis, determine the extent and direction of twist, resolve the data to eliminate the twist without inducing further stress to the chassis and secondarily, level the chassis with respect to earth after the torsion or twist of the chassis has been eliminated to achieve a planar condition. The system comprises two, two-axis tilt measurement sensors, a host control for data collection and system operation, a remote mounted diagnostics port, a user interface for the owner, operator or driver to initiate system operation and display of vehicle movement during the planarization process, with an external interface to pneumatic, hydraulic or electromechanical systems used to raise and lower each corner of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A system for elimination of twist and torsion within a vehicle chassis and leveling of said chassis, the system comprising a first two-axis tilt sensor rigidly mounted at the front of the vehicle chassis to measure chassis tilt at that location in the X axis (lateral direction) and Y axis (longitudinal direction);

a second two-axis tilt sensor rigidly mounted at the rear of the vehicle chassis to measure chassis tilt at that location in the X axis (lateral direction) and Y axis (longitudinal direction);

a host microprocessor with electrical communication to the first and second two-axis sensors to collect data to measure tilt in two axes at each of the front and rear sensor locations and;

system software to resolve the magnitude of movement, direction of movement and sequence of motions at each of the four corners of the chassis to achieve planarization of the chassis and an overall level position with respect to the earth.

2. A host microprocessor in electrical communication with lifting mechanisms to adjust the height of the vehicle chassis at each of the four corners of the chassis to include:

electrical communication to solenoid valves used to inflate and deflate pneumatic air-springs or airbags that are used as load bearing devices in pneumatic suspension systems for large vehicles;

electrical communication to hydraulic control valves used to raise and lower hydraulic jacks that are used to lift, level and support motorhomes, trailers and fifth wheel trailers;

electrical communication to electric, linear actuators used to lift, level and support motorhomes, trailers and fifth wheel trailers;

a user interface for initiation of the leveling, planarization sequence and display of vehicle movement during the leveling process.