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Electronic control of vehicle air suspension

  • US 6,918,600 B2
  • Filed: 01/31/2003
  • Issued: 07/19/2005
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/23/2002
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A vehicle suspension system which includes a vehicle frame, a plurality of axle assemblies that have laterally-extending axles and that support said frame above the ground, including a first axle assembly with a first axle, and a first air bag that extends from substantially said first axle assembly to said frame to support at least part of the frame weight on said first axle assembly, including apparatus for sensing the height of the air bag, said vehicle suspension system comprising:

  • a tilt arm having first and second end portions pivotally coupled about primarily horizontal axes respectively to said frame and to said first axle;

    a first electronic tilt sensor, at least one component of which is mounted on a first location on said tilt arm and that generates an electrical signal indicating the tilt angle of said first location about a substantially horizontal axis, whereby to indicate air bag height;

    a control that includes a circuit connected to said first electronic tilt sensor to receive said electrical signal, said control including at least one valve coupled to said first air bag to control a flow of air into and out of said first air bag; and

    a filter means receiving said electrical signal that avoids flowing air into or out of said first air bag when the tilt of said tilt arm lasts less than approximately a predetermined time period, and wherein said control avoids flowing air into or out of said first air bag when said air bag height is within a predetermined distance above or below a predetermined height.

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