Vehicle actuator remote control system

• US 7,062,367 B2
• Filed: 09/25/2001
• Issued: 06/13/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Boo Y. Kim
• Original Assignee: Boo Y. Kim
• Inventors: Kim, Boo Y
• Primary Examiner(s): LOUIS JACQUES, JACQUES H
• Application Number:
  US09/961,811
• Publication Number:
  US 20030060906A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,722 Days
• Field of Search: 701/1, 701/2, 701/36, 701/37, 280/5.5, 280/5.515, 280/6.15, 280/6.151, 280/6.157, 280/43, 280/124.1, 280/124.134, 340/825.69, 340/825.71, 340/825.72, 340/825.73, 446454-456, 446465-466
• US Class Current: 701/37
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/0523 Regulating distributors or valves for pneumatic springs
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/08 Characteristics of fluid dampers adjusting fluid dampers in general F16F9/44 - F16F9/53
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/82 Ground surface
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2500/10 Damping action or damper
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2500/30 Height or ground clearance
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2600/182 Active control means
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2600/184 Semi-Active control means
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2600/202 using a remote, e.g. cordless, transmitter or receiver unit
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2600/204 Joystick actuated suspension
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/164 Heaving; Squatting
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/204 adjusting floor height to the loading ramp level
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/914 Height Control System

Abstract

The control system includes a microprocessor based radio frequency receiver module and a radio frequency handset transmitter module. The microprocessor receives a specific input from the remote transmitter. The handset transmitter module contains two joysticks. Two different sets of eight peripheral initiating positions are located in a circular formation with one of the joysticks at the center of each circular formation. Each initiating position activates a switch. Each switch activates a different radio frequency (RF) signal that activates a particular vehicle actuator.

Claims

1. A vehicle actuator control system for controlling the vertical movement of the four corners of a vehicle, comprising:

a) a transmitter module having a multi-function lever, wherein the multi-function lever having a plurality of peripheral initiating positions, wherein each initiating position activates a switch that initiates a different radio frequency signal; and

b) a receiver module for receiving the radio frequency signals, the receiver module having a radio frequency receiver unit, a microprocessor and output ports, wherein the radio frequency receiver receives a radio frequency signal and transmits the radio frequency signal to the microprocessor, wherein the microprocessor converts the signal to a set of commands that initiate one or more output ports, and wherein the output ports are operatively connected to initiate vehicle actuators on the vehicle;

wherein each peripheral initiating position initiates a different action by one or more of the vehicle actuators, and whereby each vehicle actuator controls the up and down motion of the vehicle near a vehicle wheel,

wherein the lever is a joystick,

wherein the joystick having an inoperative central position and four or more peripheral initiating positions,

wherein the joystick having eight peripheral initiating positions,

wherein the vehicle actuator control system further comprises a contact surface, wherein the contact surface activates a switch that initiates a radio frequency signal, wherein the radio frequency signal initiates an auto-rotation sequence by the vehicle actuators.

2. The vehicle actuator control system of claim 1, wherein a peripheral initiating position is designation position number one, wherein position number one initiates a simultaneous upward motion of a left-front vehicle actuator and a right-front vehicle actuator.

3. A vehicle actuator control system for controlling the vertical movement of the four corners of a vehicle, comprising:

a) a transmitter module having a plurality of multi-function levers, wherein the multi-function levers having a plurality of peripheral initiating positions, wherein each initiating position activates a switch that initiates a different radio frequency signal; and

b) a receiver module for receiving the radio frequency signals, the receiver module having a radio frequency receiver unit, a microprocessor and output ports, wherein the radio frequency receiver receives a radio frequency signal and transmits the radio frequency signal to the microprocessor, wherein the microprocessor converts the signal to a set of commands that initiate one or more output ports, and wherein the output ports are operatively connected to initiate vehicle actuators on the vehicle;

wherein each peripheral initiating position initiates a different action by one or more of the vehicle actuators, and whereby each vehicle actuator controls the up and down motion of the vehicle near a vehicle wheel, wherein the levers are joysticks, wherein there are two joysticks designated left joystick and right joystick, wherein each of the left joystick and the right joystick having an inoperative central position and four or more peripheral initiating positions,

wherein the vehicle actuator control system, further comprises two contact surfaces, wherein each contact surface activates a switch that initiates a radio frequency signal, wherein the radio frequency signal initiates an auto-rotation sequence by the vehicle actuators, wherein the initiating positions of the contact surfaces are designated by unit numbering of seventeen and eighteen, wherein position seventeen initiates an auto-rotation sequence of downward motions in the vehicle actuators, and wherein position eighteen initiates an auto-rotation sequence of upward motions in the vehicle actuators.

4. The vehicle actuator control system of claim 3, wherein each of the left joystick and the right joystick having eight peripheral initiating positions;

wherein the sixteen initiating positions are designated by unit numbering of one through sixteen.

5. The vehicle actuator control system of claim 4, wherein position number six initiates a downward movement of the left-front and left-rear vehicle actuators.

6. The vehicle actuator control system of claim 5, wherein position number seven initiates an upward movement of the right-front and right-rear vehicle actuators.

7. The vehicle actuator control system of claim 6, wherein position number eight initiates a substantially simultaneous downward movement of the right-front and right-rear vehicle actuators.

8. The vehicle actuator control system of claim 7, wherein position number nine initiates an upward movement of the left-front actuator.

9. The vehicle actuator control system of claim 8, wherein position number ten initiates a downward movement of the left-front actuator.

10. The vehicle actuator control system of claim 9, wherein position number sixteen initiates an upward movement of the right-rear actuator.

11. The vehicle actuator control system of claim 10, wherein the contact surface designated as seventeen is located adjacent to the left joystick lever.