Trailer axle suspension system and a method of control

• US 8,801,000 B1
• Filed: 02/15/2013
• Issued: 08/12/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology LLC (Meritor, Inc. (Nevada))
• Original Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology LLC (Meritor, Inc. (Nevada))
• Inventors: Power, Michael Andrew
• Primary Examiner(s): VERLEY, NICOLE T
• Application Number:
  US13/767,950
• Publication Number:
  US 20140232074A1
• Time in Patent Office: 543 Days
• Field of Search: 280/6.151
• US Class Current: 280/6.151
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 1/027 with relative displacement of the wheel axles

Abstract

A trailer axle suspension system and a method of control. The trailer axle suspension system may be deflated when the trailer is approaching the dock and proximity of the trailer to the dock is within a predetermined limit.

Claims

1. A method of controlling a trailer axle suspension system of a vehicle comprising:

assessing proximity of a trailer to a dock when a dock approach condition exists; and

deflating the trailer axle suspension system when the trailer is approaching the dock and proximity of the trailer to the dock is within a predetermined limit.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein deflating the trailer axle suspension system includes deflating an air spring of the trailer axle suspension system.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the air spring is deflated before the trailer contacts the dock.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the air spring is deflated at a fixed rate.

5. The method of claim 3 wherein the air spring is deflated at a variable rate based on a rate at which the trailer is approaching the dock.

6. The method of claim 2 wherein the air spring is inflated with a pressurized gas prior to releasing a parking brake and moving the trailer away from the dock.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the dock approach condition exists when the trailer is moving in a reverse direction and the dock is detected with a dock proximity sensor.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the dock proximity sensor is disposed proximate a rear end of the trailer that is disposed opposite a tractor to which the trailer is coupled.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein proximity of the trailer to the dock is within the predetermined limit when a predicted time until the trailer contacts the dock is less than a threshold time value.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein proximity of the trailer to the dock is within a predetermined limit when a distance between the trailer and the dock is not greater than a predetermined threshold distance value.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein a parking brake is set after the trailer axle suspension system is deflated and the trailer is stationary.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein a dock approach condition exists when the trailer is moving in a reverse direction.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein a dock approach condition exists when a tractor to which the trailer is coupled in a reverse gear.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein a dock approach condition exists when the tractor is moving in a reverse direction at a speed that is less than a threshold speed value.