131 results about "Ride height" patented technology

A shock assembly with automatically adjustable ride height is disclosed. The assembly includes a main chamber including a fluid therein. A pump tube within the main chamber, the pump tube having a fluid flow path internal thereto, the pump tube disposed axially along a center of the main chamber. A damping piston coupled to a shaft, the damping piston and a portion of the shaft disposed axially about the pump tube, the damping piston disposed in the main chamber to divide the main chamber into a compression side fluid chamber and a rebound side fluid chamber. An automatic ride height adjustment assembly including a tube-in-shaft pump assembly and a spring preload piston assembly.

Methods and apparatus to identify ride height sensor discrepancies are disclosed. An example apparatus disclosed herein includes machine readable instructions and programmable circuitry to at least one of instantiate or execute the machine readable instructions to compare a first sensor output of a first ride height sensor of a vehicle to a second sensor output of a second ride height sensor of the vehicle, increment a discrepancy counter based on the comparison of the first sensor output and the second sensor output, and generate an indication to service at least one of the first ride height sensor or the second ride height sensor after the discrepancy counter satisfies a threshold.

The present invention relates to an active ride height adjustment mechanism (2) for a vehicle, comprising a main support (5) for fastening the ride height adjustment mechanism (2) to a vehicle body, a height adjustment drive (6) for adjusting the ride height, a suspension arrangement (7), and a height adjustment lever (8) connected to the height adjustment drive (6) and the suspension arrangement (7). A first pivot connection (9) is provided between the height adjustment lever (8) and the suspension arrangement (7), and a second pivot connection (10) is provided between the height adjustment lever (8) and the height adjustment drive (6). The object of the invention is to provide a space-saving and less complex ride height adjustment mechanism.According to the invention, the pivot point of the height adjustment lever (8) is located at a third pivot joint (11) between the height adjustment lever (8) and the main support (5), wherein the third pivot joint (11) is arranged along the height adjustment lever (8) between the first pivot joint (9) and the second pivot joint (10). The invention also relates to a corner module (1) and a vehicle with such a ride height adjustment mechanism (2).

A holster support assembly for supporting a holster configured for receiving and withdrawing a handgun. The holster support assembly is configured for supporting a holster on a user's belt and comprises a belt engaging member comprising: a column portion and at least one belt loop portion; wherein the holster attachment portion comprises: a central slot; a plurality of pairs of diametrically opposed recesses on the rear face, defining a plurality of ride height positions.

An adjustable ride height vehicle aerodynamic system comprises an aerodynamic element ride actuator and an aerodynamic element angle actuator connected in series and mounted in a vehicle. An aerodynamic element is adapted to rest in an inactive stowed position and to move from the stowed position to at least one active deployed position at an angle in relation to a vehicle underbody under the control of the aerodynamic element angle actuator to alter vehicle aerodynamic characteristics. The aerodynamic element ride actuator is adapted to extend and retract synchronously with a respective vehicle ride height increase and decrease, and the aerodynamic element angle actuator is adapted to extend and retract respectively to deploy and to stow the aerodynamic element.

Presented are advanced control systems providing tire change modes for vehicles with adjustable ride-height suspension systems, methods for making / using such systems, and vehicles equipped with such systems. A method of operating a vehicle includes a controller receiving an input signal indicative of a tire change event for the vehicle, and determining a location of a tire associated with the tire change event. In response to receiving the input signal, the controller determines if a real-time slope of the vehicle is greater than a preset maximum secure slope; if not, the controller prompts a user to prepare the vehicle for the tire change event. After prompting the user to prep the vehicle, the controller commands the vehicle's ride height suspension system to lower the ride height of the tire's corner module to a predefined lowered height and raise the ride height of all other corner module to a predefined raised height.

An example vehicle frame subassembly for a vehicle is disclosed herein. The example vehicle frame subassembly includes a first frame portion defining a wheel axle, and a second frame portion extending from the first frame portion at an angle from the wheel axle, the wheel axle at a first height, an end of the second frame portion at a second height different from the first height, the vehicle frame subassembly to configure a vehicle for a selected ride height when the vehicle frame subassembly is implemented in the vehicle, the second height corresponding to the selected ride height.

Two or more sensors positioned at a wheel of a stopped vehicle may detect an unwanted substance, and transmit signals, based on which a height level of the substance is determined. The system may also determine a type of the substance, such as water, snow, sand or mud, based on electrical resistance of the substance detected by the sensors. Cameras or other imaging equipment, including LIDAR, may also be used to determine the substance height and / or composition. Accordingly, actions to protect the vehicle may be taken, such as raising or lowering the ride height of the vehicle body using an adjustable suspension of the vehicle. Other protective actions may include closing vents, seals, valves and battery isolation units, and transmitting messages to a vehicle driver and / or to emergency personnel.

A vehicle chassis sensor assembly for measuring the ride height of a vehicle which comprises a rotary arm member including an overmolded magnet encapsulated in the rotary arm member. In one embodiment, the overmolded magnet includes a layer of overmold material defining an open overmold window in the side and / or top exterior surfaces of the layer of overmold material. Another embodiment includes a pair of spaced magnets that are completely encapsulated in a two step molding process before being molded into a rotary arm member.

Proposed are an apparatus for and a method of controlling a vehicle suspension. The apparatus includes a sensor configured to acquire at least one of information on a road surface in front of a vehicle and state information of the vehicle; and a processor configured to predict a vehicular behavior based on the information acquired through the sensor and actuator information and to control at least one of a ride height of the vehicle, stiffness of an air spring, and a damping force of a damper based on the predicted vehicular behavior.

An adjustable shock adapter for converting a non-adjustable shock into a shock with full spring and ride height adjustment. The adjustable shock adapter may include a tubular component adapted for engagement with a shaft of the non-adjustable shock. The tubular component may include a rim extending radially outward from an outer surface of the tubular component, located towards the bottom of the tubular component, and positioned against a fixed component of the shock absorber to prevent the tubular component from sliding past the component. The adjustable shock adapter may also include a collar mounted to the outer surface of the tube-shaped component and moveable upwards or downwards along the tubular component and locked into place. The collar may include a second rim positioned against a spring of the non-adjustable shock, acting as a stopper to limit how low the height of the UTV can be adjusted.

Aspects of the present invention relate to a method and to a control system for controlling an active suspension of a vehicle, the control system comprising one or more controllers, the control system configured to: obtain information indicative of a change of gradient of a driving surface in a direction of travel; and control the active suspension to adjust relative ride height between a front and rear of a vehicle body of the vehicle above the driving surface beneath the vehicle in dependence on the change of gradient.

An integrated ride height system is provided wherein the system is configured couple to a vehicle. The system includes a coilover shock absorber and a hydraulic preload cylinder coupled to a shock body of the coilover shock absorber. The hydraulic preload cylinder engages an end of a coil spring of the coilover shock absorber. The system includes a reservoir coupled to the shock absorber allowing hydraulic fluid to flow between the reservoir and the coilover shock absorber. The system includes a reversible pump coupled between the hydraulic preload cylinder and the reservoir, wherein the pump operates to pump hydraulic fluid from the reservoir to the hydraulic preload cylinder to extend the hydraulic preload cylinder to increase ride height of the vehicle and operates to pump hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic preload cylinder to the reservoir to retract the hydraulic preload cylinder to decrease ride height of the vehicle.

Presented are advanced control systems providing tire change modes for vehicles with adjustable ride-height suspension systems, methods for making / using such systems, and vehicles equipped with such systems. A method of operating a vehicle includes a controller receiving an input signal indicative of a tire change event for the vehicle, and determining a location of a tire associated with the tire change event. In response to receiving the input signal, the controller determines if a real-time slope of the vehicle is greater than a preset maximum secure slope; if not, the controller prompts a user to prepare the vehicle for the tire change event. After prompting the user to prep the vehicle, the controller commands the vehicle's ride height suspension system to lower the ride height of the tire's corner module to a predefined lowered height and raise the ride height of all other corner module to a predefined raised height.

Aspects of the present invention relate to a speed control system (15) for a vehicle (10), to a method and to a vehicle (10). An aspect relates to an off-road speed control system (15). The system (15) causes the vehicle (10) to drive at a target speed value. The system (15) receives ride height information indicative of a ride height setting of a suspension of the vehicle (10), and sets a maximum vehicle speed limit in dependence at least in part on the ride height information.

A system 100, for controlling a damper (500, Fig. 5) of a suspension system (550, Fig. 5) of an automotive vehicle (300, Fig. 3), the suspension system (550, Fig. 5) being operable at several ride hei

Aspects of the present invention relate to a method and to a control system for controlling an active suspension of a vehicle, the control system comprising one or more controllers, the control system configured to: obtain information indicative of a change of gradient of a driving surface in a direction of travel; and control the active suspension to adjust relative ride height between a front and rear of a vehicle body of the vehicle above the driving surface beneath the vehicle in dependence on the change of gradient.

A method and system for adjusting the height of a vehicle's air suspension through a software application or physical buttons or dials is provided. The system includes a ride height sensor that is configured to detect and measure the height of a vehicle. Further, the system includes an electronic module in communication with the ride height sensor and a ride height control module of the vehicle, wherein the ride height sensor or the electronic module being adapted to alter voltage / current or encoder data sent to the ride height control module. Further, the system includes means for electronically programming the ride height sensor or the electronic module, wherein the programming is performed using physical buttons or dials on the sensor or by connecting the electronic module to a user's electronic device via Bluetooth or other wireless or wired technology.

Methods and apparatus for facilitating a tire change are disclosed. An example apparatus includes an interface circuit, machine-readable instructions, and a programmable circuit to instantiate or execute the machine-readable instructions of at least one of: detecting an under-inflated tire of a vehicle; causing an air suspension system to raise a ride height of the vehicle to a first height in response to detecting the under-inflated tire; and causing the air suspension system to prevent air movement after the ride height is raised to the first height.

One or more example vehicle adaptive ride height (ARH) systems to provide semi-active damping and ARH functionality. Each example ARH system is operable to dynamically control the vehicle, in response to dynamic detection of one or more operational parameters, between a raised vehicle state or position (e.g., ride height) and a lowered vehicle state or position. Such dynamic control facilitates greater reach-to-ground when in the lowered vehicle state and automatically controls vehicle ride height when in the raised vehicle state for dynamic loading conditions.

The utility model discloses a chassis height adjusting device and a mower, the chassis height adjusting device comprises an adjusting base, a driving assembly, a control module, a front shaft assembly, a rear shaft assembly and a rod body assembly, the front shaft assembly and the rear shaft assembly are used for bearing a mower main body, and the rod body assembly is connected with the driving assembly, the front shaft assembly and the rear shaft assembly; the driving assembly can drive the rod body assembly to drive the front shaft assembly and the rear shaft assembly to lift or lower the mower body, a trigger switch is arranged on the rod body assembly, a plurality of trigger bases matched with the trigger switch are arranged on the adjusting base, the trigger switch and the trigger bases are all connected with the control module, and in the lifting or lowering process of the mower body, the control module is connected with the control module. The trigger switch and the trigger base are selectively matched and conducted, and when the trigger switch and the trigger base are conducted, the control module controls the driving assembly to stop lifting or lowering the mower body, so that gear adjustment of the height of the mower chassis is achieved, and time and labor are saved.

The invention discloses a method and an apparatus for recognizing a driving height sensor difference. An example apparatus disclosed herein includes machine readable instructions and programmable circuitry, the programmable circuit is to at least one of instantiate or execute machine readable instructions to: compare a first sensor output of a first height of travel sensor of the vehicle to a second sensor output of a second height of travel sensor of the vehicle; incrementing a difference counter based on a comparison of the first sensor output and the second sensor output; and generating an indication to service at least one of the first or second ride height sensor after the difference counter satisfies the threshold.

A method for powerhop identification and mitigation includes receiving sensor data of a vehicle, such as wheel speed; determining a wheel jerk characteristics of the vehicle based on the wheel speed; determining a ride height of the vehicle; determining whether the vehicle is experiencing powerhop based on the wheel jerk characteristics and the ride height of the vehicle; and in response to determining that the vehicle is experiencing powerhop, adjusting a torque of the vehicle to mitigate the powerhop.

The utility model discloses a variable vehicle body protection device, which relates to the technical field of vehicle body protection and comprises a truck body, side protection mechanisms are mounted on two sides of the truck body and comprise first rotating shafts, the first rotating shafts are rotatably connected with the truck body, and connecting blocks are fixedly connected to the tops and the bottoms of the first rotating shafts. A pin hole is formed in the connecting block, an upper guardrail is arranged above the first rotating shaft, and a lower guardrail is arranged below the first rotating shaft; the truck body is protected by arranging the front and rear protection mechanisms and the side protection mechanism, the lower guardrail can flexibly rotate around the first rotating shaft and the second rotating shaft respectively, in a special construction site with complex road conditions, the side protection mechanism can be folded by manually rotating the lower guardrail upwards, and the front and rear protection mechanisms can also be correspondingly adjusted; and collision with obstacles around or on the ground is avoided, normal passing of the truck is guaranteed, and the applicability and flexibility of the truck under different road conditions are improved.

To provide a selectively switchable dual mode vehicle suspension system capable of selectively and switchably providing both a low rate, optimal ride comfort setting and a high rate, optimal handling lower ride height setting.SOLUTION: A spring configuration comprises a cylindrical damper (5), a primary coil spring (9) with a first spring rate Kl, and a secondary coil spring (11) with a second spring rate K2. The coil springs are arranged about the cylindrical damper in series so as to provide an overall combined spring rate KT. An actuator (20) is configured to compress and decompress the coil springs. A stop (12) is configured to deactivate the secondary coil spring at a stop position, such that, when the system is in a first comfort mode, the overall spring rate is defined by an equation 1 / KT=1 / Kl+1 / K2, and when the system is in a second handling mode, the overall spring rate is defined by an equation KT=Kl.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4C-4D

A vehicle of the present disclosure includes a vehicle body and a damper assembly for controlling movement of a wheel relative to the vehicle body. The vehicle includes a fluid connector spaced from the damper assembly and supported at the vehicle body, the fluid connector in fluid communication with the damper assembly to provide fluid to the damper assembly and increase ride height of the vehicle.

The invention relates to an active height adjustment mechanism (2) for a vehicle, comprising: a main carrier (5) for fastening the height adjustment mechanism (2) to a vehicle body; a height adjustment drive (6) for adjusting the travel height; a suspension assembly (7) and a height adjustment lever (8) connected to the height adjustment drive (6) and the suspension assembly (7). A first rotary connecting piece (9) is arranged between the height adjusting rod (8) and the suspension assembly (7), and a second rotary connecting piece (10) is arranged between the height adjusting rod (8) and the height adjusting driving device (6). The purpose of the present invention is to provide a space-saving and low-complexity travel height adjustment mechanism. According to the invention, the rotational point of the height adjustment lever (8) lies on a third rotational connection (11) between the height adjustment lever (8) and the main carrier (5), the third rotational connection (11) being arranged along the height adjustment lever (8) between the first rotational connection (9) and the second rotational connection (10). The invention also relates to an angle module (1) and a vehicle having such a height adjustment mechanism (2).

An airshock assembly is disclosed. The airshock assembly includes a shock absorber an airspring, and an air compressor assembly. The airspring is axially coupled with a portion of the shock absorber and used to modify a ride height of the shock absorber. The air compressor assembly is coupled with a portion of the shock absorber. The air compressor assembly is used to modify an air pressure in the airspring without requiring the airshock assembly to utilize an air reservoir.

A golf vehicle includes a chassis having a front end and a rear end, a suspension system coupled to the chassis, a first plurality of tractive assemblies, a second plurality of tractive assemblies, a first axle assembly coupled to the suspension system and the first plurality of tractive assemblies, and a second axle assembly. The second axle assembly is coupled to the suspension system and the second plurality of tractive assemblies, and includes a first shaft assembly and a second shaft assembly. The first shaft assembly and the second shaft assembly are interchangeable to transition the second axle assembly between (i) a first configuration that provides a first ride height for the front end or the rear end and (ii) a second configuration that provides a second ride height for the front end or the rear end that is greater than the first ride height.