Locking suspension system
First Claim
1. A method for controlling frame rise on a heavy duty truck having a frame, a drive axle connected to the frame, and a selectively lockable suspension component disposed between the frame and drive axle for maintaining a relative position between the frame and drive axle, the method comprising:
- monitoring signals indicative of vehicle operating parameters;
calculating a predicted torque that will be applied to the drive axle based on the monitored signals;
locking the selectively lockable suspension component if the predicted torque exceeds a predetermined threshold.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for controlling frame rise on a heavy duty truck having a frame, a drive axle connected to the frame, and a selectively lockable suspension component disposed therebetween for maintaining the relative position therebetween. Signals indicative of at least one of the following vehicle operating parameters: engine speed, brake pressure, vehicle speed, air bag pressure, steering wheel angle, vehicle height, or throttle position are monitored and a predicted thrust is calculated that will be applied to the drive axle based on the monitored signals. The selectively lockable suspension component is locked if the predicted thrust exceeds a predetermined threshold and is also controlled with respect to other operating parameters such as whether vehicle brakes are applied, any instantaneous change in torque, vehicle operating speed, and the length of time the selectively lockable suspension component has been locked.
-
Citations
22 Claims
-
1. A method for controlling frame rise on a heavy duty truck having a frame, a drive axle connected to the frame, and a selectively lockable suspension component disposed between the frame and drive axle for maintaining a relative position between the frame and drive axle, the method comprising:
-
monitoring signals indicative of vehicle operating parameters; calculating a predicted torque that will be applied to the drive axle based on the monitored signals; locking the selectively lockable suspension component if the predicted torque exceeds a predetermined threshold. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A device for controlling frame rise on a heavy-duty truck having a frame, a drive axle connected to the frame that drives truck wheels, and a selectively lockable suspension component disposed therebetween for maintaining the relative position therebetween, the device comprising a controller having a microprocessor storing a set of instructions, the instructions comprising:
-
monitoring signals indicative of vehicle operating parameters; calculating a predicted thrust that will be applied at the truck wheels based on the monitored signals; and locking the selectively lockable suspension component if the predicted thrust exceeds a predetermined threshold. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
-
Specification