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Vehicle having suspension with continuous damping control

  • US 9,527,362 B2
  • Filed: 11/06/2015
  • Issued: 12/27/2016
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2012
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A damping control method for a vehicle having a suspension located between a plurality of ground engaging members and a vehicle frame, a controller, a plurality of vehicle condition sensors, and a user interface, the suspension including a plurality of adjustable shock absorbers including a front right shock absorber, a front left shock absorber, and at least one rear shock absorber, the damping control method comprising:

  • receiving with the controller a user input from the user interface to provide a user selected mode of damping operation for the plurality of adjustable shock absorbers during operation of the vehicle;

    with the controller a plurality of inputs from the plurality of vehicle condition sensors including a brake sensor, a throttle sensor, and a vehicle speed sensor;

    determining with the controller whether vehicle brakes are actuated based on an input from the brake sensor;

    with the controller a throttle position based on an input from the throttle sensor;

    determining with the controller a speed of the vehicle based on an input from the vehicle speed sensor;

    the damping control according to a brake condition when the brakes are actuated, wherein in the brake condition the controller defines damping characteristics of the plurality of adjustable shock absorbers based on condition modifiers including the user selected mode and the vehicle speed;

    operating the damping control according to a first ride condition when the brakes are not actuated and a throttle position is less than a threshold Y, wherein in the first ride condition the controller defines damping characteristics of the plurality of adjustable shock absorbers based on condition modifiers including the user selected mode and the vehicle speed; and

    operating the damping control according to a second ride condition when the brakes are not actuated, the throttle position is greater than the threshold Y, and the vehicle speed is greater than a threshold value Z, wherein in the second ride condition the controller defines damping characteristics of the plurality of adjustable shock absorbers based on condition modifiers including the user selected mode and the vehicle speed.

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