US4714272A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Suspension controller
Assignee: Toyota Motor Corp
•
Filing: 1986-09-24
•
Granted: 1987-12-22
•
Expires: 2006-09-24
Abstract
Abstract A suspension controller is provided to effectively absorb a sporadic shock by appropriately altering a suspension characteristic. Especially, when a sporadic shock is detected, which is caused by riding-through a dip or riding-over a bump of the front wheels, the suspension controller of the invention can alter the rear suspension characteristic before the rear wheels ride through the dip or over the bump. The suspension controller of the invention particularly includes restoration means for restoring the altered suspension characteristic when a predetermined delay time interval has elapsed from a time point at which a vehicle height data was determined to be out of a predetermined range by determination means, and for starting the recount of the predetermined delay time interval if the vehicle height data is again determined to be out of the predetermined range by the determination means before the predetermined delay time interval elapses from the first determination.
Inventors
- 👤 Shuuichi Buma
- 👤 Toshio Onuma
- 👤 Kaoru Ohashi
- 👤 Masami Itou
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 09:18
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60G; B60G17/00; B60G17/015; B60G17/016; B60G17/0165; B60G21/00; B60G21/02; B60G21/04; B60G21/05; B60G21/055; B60G21/0551; B60G21/0553; B60G21/0556; B60G2400/00; B60G2400/80; B60G2400/82; B60G2400/821; B60G2500/00; B60G2500/30; B60G2600/00; B60G2600/02; B60G2800/00; B60G2800/16; B60G2800/162
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
A suspension controller for a vehicle comprising: front vehicle height detection means for detecting a vehicle height at a front wheel and for generating a vehicle height signal; determination means for deriving vehicle height data from the vehicle height signal, for determining if a difference between a maximum and minimum of the vehicle height data during a predetermined period is greater than a reference value, the predetermined period being shorter than a cycle time of a resonant vibration of an unsprung mass of the vehicle, and for generating a determination signal when the difference is greater than the reference value; and suspension characteristic alteration means responsive to the determination signal for alternating a suspension characteristic at the rear wheel of the vehicle before the rear wheel reaches a position at which the difference has been determined to be greater than the reference value.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
143 words
A suspension controller for a vehicle comprising: front vehicle height detection means for detecting a vehicle height at a front wheel and for generating a vehicle height signal; determination means for deriving vehicle height data from the vehicle height signal, for determining if a difference between a maximum and minimum of the vehicle height data during a predetermined period is greater than a reference value, the predetermined period being shorter than a cycle time of a resonant vibration of an unsprung mass of the vehicle, and for generating a determination signal when the difference is greater than the reference value; and suspension characteristic alteration means responsive to the determination signal for alternating a suspension characteristic at the rear wheel of the vehicle before the rear wheel reaches a position at which the difference has been determined to be greater than the reference value.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The suspension controller for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined delay time interval is greater than or equal to a time period which is calculated by dividing a wheel base of the vehicle by the current vehicle speed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
The suspension controller for a vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined delay time interval is greater than or equal to the time period calculated by dividing a wheel base of the vehicle by the current vehicle speed, and is less than or equal to three times thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The suspension controller for a vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the vehicle height data derived from the vehicle height signal by said determination means is a displacement from a standard value of the vehicle height signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The suspension controller for a vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the vehicle height data derived from the vehicle height signal by said determination means is a speed of the change in the vehicle height signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The suspension controller for a vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the vehicle height data derived from the vehicle height signal by said determination means is an acceleration of the change in the vehicle height signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The suspension controller for a vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the vehicle height data derived from the vehicle height signal by said determination means is an amplitude of the vibration of the vehicle height signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The suspension controller for a vehicle according to claim 4, wherein said suspension characteristic alteration means alters the suspension characteristic by varying the spring constant of an air suspension.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The suspension controller for a vehicle according to claim 4, wherein said suspension characteristic alteration means alters the suspension characteristic by varying damping force of a shock absorber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The suspension controller for a vehicle according to claim 4, wherein said suspension characteristic alteration means alters the suspension characteristic by varying compliance of a bush of the suspension.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The suspension controller for a vehicle according to claim 4, wherein said suspension characteristic alteration means alters the suspension characteristic by varying torsional stiffness of a stabilizer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
92 words
A suspension controller for a vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising restoration means for restoring the altered suspension characteristic when a predetermined delay time interval has elapsed from a time point at which the vehicle height data was determined to be out of the predetermined range by said determination means, and for starting the recount of said predetermined delay time interval if the vehicle height data is again determined to be out of the predetermined range by said determination means before the predetermined delay time interval elapses from the first determination.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2973969A
Cited
US3632131A
Cited
US4350354A
Cited
JPS5963218A
Cited
US4600215A
Cited
JPS60183216A
Cited
US4634143A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-12-21 | 1991-06-22 | 1991-12-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-12-21 | 1995-06-22 | 1995-12-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-12-21 | 1999-06-22 | 1999-12-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |