US6036199A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tire contact load control system
Assignee: Honda Motor Co Ltd
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Filing: 1998-05-22
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Granted: 2000-03-14
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Expires: 2018-05-22
Abstract
Abstract An active actuator is interposed between the unsprung mass and the sprung mass of a vehicle, and a controller selectively extends and retracts the actuator at a prescribed acceleration so as to selectively apply an additional contact load to the wheel by making use of the inertial force of the sprung mass and/or the unsprung mass of the vehicle. A particularly advantageous result can be achieved by increasing the tire contact load according to the judgment of the vehicle operator who would, for example, actuate a switch at a desired or appropriate time such as when braking the vehicle, turning a curve or accelerating on a slippery road surface.
Inventors
- 👤 Kei Oshida
- 👤 Masaki Izawa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 23:22
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60T; B60T8/00; B60T8/17; B60T8/176; B60T8/1761; B60T8/17616; B60G; B60G17/00; B60G17/015; B60G17/016; B60G2400/00; B60G2400/10; B60G2400/102; B60G2400/25; B60G2400/252; B60G2400/60; B60G2400/61; B60G2500/00; B60G2500/30; B60G2600/00; B60G2600/02; B60G2600/18; B60G2600/182; B60G2800/00; B60G2800/21; B60G2800/22; B60G2800/24; B60G2800/90; B60G2800/91; B60G2800/915; B60T2260/00; B60T2260/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
A tire contact load control system, comprising: a wheel suspension system for supporting an unsprung mass including a wheel to a sprung mass including a vehicle body; an active actuator interposed between said unsprung mass and said sprung mass; a controller for extending said actuator at a prescribed acceleration so as to selectively apply an additional contact load to said wheel; and a switch unit for activating said controller; said switch unit being disposed in a passenger compartment of the vehicle body for being actuated by an operator.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
88 words
A tire contact load control system, comprising: a wheel suspension system for supporting an unsprung mass including a wheel to a sprung mass including a vehicle body; an active actuator interposed between said unsprung mass and said sprung mass; a controller for extending said actuator at a prescribed acceleration so as to selectively apply an additional contact load to said wheel; and a switch unit for activating said controller; said switch unit being disposed in a passenger compartment of the vehicle body for being actuated by an operator.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A vehicle tire contact load control system according to claim 1, further comprising a timer for delaying activation of said controller from a time when said switch unit is operated.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
A vehicle tire contact load control system according to claim 1, further comprising a stroke sensor for detecting a stroke of said actuator, and stopping operation of said controller when a stroke end of said actuator is detected by said stroke sensor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
A vehicle tire contact load control system according to claim 1, wherein said controller is adapted to cyclically operate said actuator so as to increase a contact load in a cyclic manner for a relatively long period of time.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A vehicle tire contact load control system according to claim 4, further comprising a timer for stopping operation of said actuator after elapsing of a prescribed time period from a start of operation of said actuator.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-03-14 | 2003-09-13 | 2004-03-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-03-14 | 2007-09-13 | 2008-03-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-03-14 | 2011-09-13 | 2012-03-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |