Abstract:
A method of leveling a stationary vehicle chassis (4) includes the steps of comparing the signal from an alignment sensor (65) to alignment data stored in an electronic control unit (42) and then operating the electronic control unit (42) to permit communication between one or more fluid suspension members (6, 7, 8, 9) and one of a pressurized fluid source (22) and exhaust (27) until the signal from the alignment sensor approximately corresponds to the aligment data. A system (1) for performing the method is also discussed.
Abstract:
A four point vehicular suspension system for a vehicle having left and right side frame members and spaced apart front and rear axles, comprising a plurality of lever beams having proximal and distal ends, a pair of which are each pivotally attached at their proximal ends, in spaced apart relationship, to each of the left and right frame members and attached at their distal ends to the front and rear axles, an expandable force-producing pneumatic bag disposed between each of the lever beams and the respective frame member to which the lever beam is pivotally attached, each bag being positioned between the proximal end and the distal end of each of the respective lever beams, and a source of air pressure and a valving system that is responsive to an unlevel position of the vehicle frame to selectively expand or contract the pneumatic bags to level the vehicle frame.
Abstract:
Zur Erkennung der Querneigung der Fahrbahn wird an Lenkbar ausgebildeten Rädern eines Farhzeugs durch Lenksteuerungsmittel ein unabhängig vom Fahrer getätigter Lenkvorgang initiiert. Weiterhin wird in Messmitteln während des Lenkvorgangs wenigstens eine die Fahrdynamik des Fahrzeugs beeinflussenden Grösse zum Beispiel die Gierrate oder die Querbeschleunigung erfasst. Ausserdem wird in Auswertemitteln wenigstens durch Auswertung der die Fahrdynamik des Fahrzeugs beeinflussenden Grösse während des Lenkvorgangs eine Querneigung der Fahrbahn erkannt.
Abstract:
A work platform-supporting device is held by legs extendable by hydraulic rams and retractable by its own weight. A sensing device including a pendulum (43) attached by a stem (45) to a universal joint (46) controls the movement of the rams. Two pairs of control valves located at 90 DEG to each other are attached to the stem (45). One pair of control valves reacts to the pitch of the platform while the other pair reacts to the roll of the platform. These valves are attached to a hinge mechanism, which is connected to the stem by a ball joint (67). When the sensing device and the platform are level the valves are in a neutral position. When the platform becomes inclined the pendulum moves to a vertical position thus activating the valves. The valves allow hydraulic fluid to flow into the ram on the downhill side of the platform and the ram on the uphill side retracts allowing hydraulic fluid to return to the hydraulic fluid reservoir. The valves have built-in dampers and the pendulum is immersed in a viscous fluid (42).
Abstract:
The method and apparatus of the present invention provide constant force suspension and near constant force suspension and associated control algorithms (40), all of which may be utilized in vehicle suspension systems (45). By using the apparatus of the present invention, a vehicle may be isolated from the motion of a wheel (15) as it follows rough terrain, thereby improving ride quality.
Abstract:
Ein Erfindung betrifft eine Luftfederungsanlage eines Kraftfahrzeugs, mit mindestens zwei Federbälgen (3, 4), die auf gegenüberliegenden Fahrzeugseiten einer Fahrzeugachse angeordneten Luftfedern zugeordnet und über jeweils mit einem Niveauregelventil (5, 6) versehene Anschlussleitungen (7, 8) mit einer Hauptdruckleitung (9) verbindbar sowie gegenüber dieser absperrbar sind, wobei die Hauptdruckleitung (9) über ein Hauptdruckventil (10) wechselweise mit einer Druckluftquelle (12) und einer Druckluftsenke (11) verbindbar ist, und wobei die Anschlussleitungen (7, 8) der mindestens zwei Federbälge (3, 4) über eine mit einer Drossel (14) versehene und durch ein Sperrventil (15, 21) absperrbare Verbindungsleitung (13) miteinander in Verbindung stehen. Zur Vereinfachung und Erhöhung der Funktionssicherheit der betreffenden Ventilanordnung ist vorgesehen, dass das Sperrventil (21) mechanisch ansteuerbar ausgebildet und derart mit dem Niveauregelventil (6) des auf der fahrbahnäußeren Fahrzeugseite angeordneten Federbalgs (4) gekoppelt ist, dass das Sperrventil (21) bei geschlossenem Niveauregelventil (6) geöffnet und bei geöffnetem Niveauregelventil (6) geschlossen ist.
Abstract:
A gradient information calculating system includes a first calculating unit (14) that detects three-dimensional location information through autonomous navigation, and calculates a first gradient value (θb, B), based on a distance (m) traveled, and an on-plane distance (Ll) obtained by projecting the distance (m) traveled on a horizontal plane, a road map information storing unit (17) that stores road map information that represents each road by nodes of which the location information is known, and a link that connects the nodes, a second calculating unit (16) that estimates elevations of the nodes from previously measured elevation data, and calculates a second gradient value (A), based on a difference in elevation between the nodes and the length of the link, and a gradient data selecting unit (19) that selects one of the first and second gradient values to be adopted as a gradient value of the link, according to a difference between the first and the second gradient values.
Abstract:
In one embodiment, a method of estimating parameters of a vehicle is disclosed. The method includes the steps of subjecting the vehicle to mechanical excitation, measuring movements of the vehicle during the excitation, determining the decay response of the vehicle from the measured movements and estimating at least one parameter of the vehicle based on the decay response.
Abstract:
A control system (16) for a machine (12) is disclosed. The control system (16) may have at least one sensor (28a) configured to generate a signal indicative of an inclination of the machine (12). The control system may (16) also have a controller (30) in communication with the at least one sensor (28a). The controller (30) may be configured to stop operation of the machine (12) in response to the signal.
Abstract:
A method (200) of adjusting a leveled height of the sprung mass (4) of a vehicle (2) that is in approximate alignment with a predetermined datum (71) includes approximately aligning (75-91) the sprung mass with the predetermined datum. The method also includes receiving (132) an input from an operator for changing the leveled height of the sprung mass. The method further includes adjusting (128) the leveled height of the sprung mass while maintaining approximate alignment with the predetermined datum. A system (1) for performing the method is also discussed.