Please download the dossier by clicking on the dossier button x
×

Ride-height control system

  • US 8,333,390 B2
  • Filed: 06/30/2008
  • Issued: 12/18/2012
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/03/2007
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A land vehicle comprising:

  • sensors configured to provide information relating to a ride height of the land vehicle, the ride height being related to a distance from an axle center to vehicle rails;

    a user input device configured to receive user input from a user of the vehicle, the user input comprising a selection of a mode from among a plurality of modes, the plurality of modes comprising a manual up mode, a manual down mode, and a plurality of automatic modes, wherein each of the plurality of automatic modes is associated with an action that can be performed using the vehicle and an automatic mode is activated responsive to receiving a user selection of a descriptive representation of the action associated with the automatic mode, wherein each of the plurality of automatic modes has an associated mode target ride height, wherein at least one of the automatic modes is an automatic loading mode, and wherein the automatic loading mode is associated with an action of loading the land vehicle onto a transport vehicle for transport and has an associated loading mode target ride height that is suitable for loading the land vehicle onto the transport vehicle; and

    a processing circuit configured to determine a target ride height based on the mode selected by the user,wherein the processing circuit configured to monitor data from the sensors and to output a signal configured to cause adjustment of one or more vehicle systems that affect a vehicle ride height based on the data from the sensors and the target ride height, wherein the processing circuit is configured to cause the one or more vehicle systems to alternately adjust heights of at least one of opposing sides and opposing ends of the vehicle until the ride height has reached the target ride height, wherein the processing circuit is configured to cause the one or more vehicle systems toadjust a first height of a first side or end until a difference between the first height and a second height of an opposing second side or end exceeds a threshold,adjust the second height of the second side or end in a same direction in which the first height was adjusted, wherein the second height is adjusted until the difference between the first height and the second height exceeds the threshold, andcontinue adjusting the first height of the first side or end and the second height of the second side or end in an alternating manner until at least one of the first height and the second height reaches or passes the target ride height.

View all claims
  • 1 Assignment
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×