4227results about "Axle suspensions" patented technology

Sensor assembly capable of obtaining and providing a measurement of a physical quantity, e.g., measurement of temperature and/or pressure of a vehicular tire, includes an antenna capable of receiving a radio frequency signal, a radio frequency identification (RFID) device coupled to the antenna, a sensor coupled to the RFID device arranged to generate a measurement of the physical quantity or quantities, and a switch coupled to the RFID device and arranged to connect or disconnect the sensor from a circuit with the antenna dependent on whether the antenna receives a particular signal associated with the RFID device. When the antenna receives the particular signal associated with the RFID device, the RFID device causes the switch to close and connect the sensor in the circuit with the antenna to enable the measurement generated by the sensor to be directed to and transmitted by the antenna.

An information system for dynamic distribution of location-related information between users with different perspective views includes a number of user units each including a viewing arrangement defining a viewing direction and a registration subsystem for deriving a mapping between the current perspective view and a shared location reference. The user units also include a data management system and a wireless communication arrangement. At least one of the user units further includes a user input interface for designating a viewed location within the current perspective view for association with location-related information to generate a new location-related information entry for sharing with others of the plurality of user units. At least one other of the user units further includes a display device associated with the viewing arrangement for displaying location-related information correctly positioned in the context of the current perspective view.

A multiple parameter control system for a vehicle includes sensors to measure the control parameter shifts in relation to the vehicle, a controller to determine outputs, a dynamically adjustable vehicle system with controllable functions, and a power supply. The sensors measure the control parameter shifts and create representative input signals that are sent to the controller. The controller determines the appropriate outputs in response to the relative control parameter shift input signals received. The dynamically adjustable vehicle system with controllable functions receives the controller output and performs a dynamic control function adjustment to improve a vehicle ride characteristic.

Improved methods of controlling the stability of a vehicle are provided via the cooperative operation of vehicle stability control systems such as an Active Yaw Control system, Antilock Braking System, and Traction Control System. These methods use recognition of road surface information including the road friction coefficient (mu), wheel slippage, and yaw deviations. The methods then modify the settings of the active damping system and/or the distribution of drive torque, as necessary, to increase/reduce damping in the suspension and shift torque application at the wheels, thus preventing a significant shift of load in the vehicle and/or improving vehicle drivability and comfort. The adjustments of the active damping system or torque distribution temporarily override any characteristics that were pre-selected by the driver.

The present invention relates to all terrain vehicles having at least a pair of laterally spaced apart seating surfaces. More particularly, the present invention relates to trail compliant side-by-side all terrain vehicles.

A damper including a valve movable between an open position and a closed position to selectively alter the compression damping rate of the shock absorber. The valve may include a self-centering feature that operates to keep the valve body centered about the valve shaft. The damper may also include a timer feature, which retains the valve in an open position for a predetermined period of time after it is initially opened.

Systems and methods for development testing of vehicles and components are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system includes a position reference system and a command and control architecture. The position reference system is configured to repetitively measure one or more position and motion characteristics of one or more vehicles operating within a control volume. The command and control architecture is configured to receive the repetitively measured characteristics from the position reference system, and to determine corresponding control signals based thereon. The control signals are then transmitted to the one or more vehicles to control at least one of position, movement, and stabilization of the one or more vehicles in a closed-loop feedback manner. The system may further include a health monitoring component configured to monitor health conditions of the one or more vehicles, the control signals being determined at least in part on the health conditions.

A vehicle dynamics behavior reproduction system capable of describing accurately behavior of a motor vehicle in a lateral direction even for nonlinear driving situation includes a vertical wheel force arithmetic means (105), a lateral wheel force arithmetic means (110), a cornering stiffness adaptation means (115), a state space model/observer unit (120), a selector (130), a delay means (135), and a tire side slip angle arithmetic means (125). Vertical wheel forces (F_Zij) and tire side slip angles (α_ij) are determined by using sensor information and estimated values while lateral wheel forces (F_Yij) are determined in accordance with a relatively simple nonlinear approximation equation. The lateral wheel force (F_Yij) and the tire side slip angle (α_ij) provide bases for adaptation of cornering stiffnesses at individual wheels. Vehicle motion is accurately described to a marginal stability by using adapted cornering stiffnesses (C_ij) and other information.

An adjustable assembly for a bicycle includes a first support having an interior surface and a second support slidably positioned within at least a portion of the first support. One of the first support and the second support is adapted to attach to a first bicycle portion, and the other of the first support and the second support is adapted to attach to a second bicycle portion. Further, the second support comprises an expansion portion configured to be moved between an expanded position and a retracted position. The expansion portion is configured to engage the interior surface of the first support when the expansion portion is in an expanded position. In addition, the first support is configured to be selectively moved relative to the second support when the expansion portion is permitted to assume a retracted position. In some embodiments, the first bicycle portion comprises a bicycle frame and the second bicycle portion comprises a bicycle saddle. In other arrangements, the first bicycle portion comprises a fork assembly and the second bicycle portion comprises a handlebar assembly.

A control system for a resilient support mechanism such as a suspension mechanism of a wheeled vehicle including a damper disposed between an unsprung mass member and a sprung mass member of the vehicle, wherein a damping coefficient of the damper is divided into a linear portion and a nonlinear portion, and wherein the nonlinear portion of the damping coefficient is defined as a control input u and applied with a frequency weight Wu(s), while a vertical velocity of the sprung mass member, a relative velocity of the sprung mass member to the unsprung mass member and a vertical acceleration of the sprung mass member are defined as an evaluation output zp and applied with a frequency weight Ws(s). In the control system, a nonlinear Hinfin control theory is applied to a generalized plant to obtain a positive definite symmetric solution P and to calculate a target damping force based on the positive definite symmetric solution P and a state amount such as the vertical velocity of the sprung mass member, a relative displacement of the sprung mass member to the unsprung mass member or the like.

To improve operability for vehicle height adjustment, while ensuring safety, in a vehicle such as a truck, a wireless remote control radio-transmits a vehicle height adjusting signal tagged with a remote control identification code. The remote control identification code is preregistered in a receiver, which, upon receipt of the vehicle height adjusting signal tagged with the remote control identification code, takes in the vehicle height adjusting signal. According to information contained in the received vehicle height adjusting signal, an air suspension ECU controls supply and discharge of compressed air for air springs to adjust the vehicle height. When an emergency operation switch is operated, the vehicle height adjusting signal from the wireless remote control is disabled, and vehicle height adjustment is preferentially made based on a switching signal from the emergency operation switch.

According to some embodiments, an adjustable assembly for a bicycle comprises a first support and a second support slidably positioned within at least a portion of the first support, such that one of the first support and the second support is adapted to attach to a first bicycle portion and the other of the first support and the second support is adapted to attach to a second bicycle portion. In some embodiments, the second support comprises an expansion portion configured to be selectively moved between an expanded position and a retracted position. In one embodiment, the expansion portion is configured to contact and engage at least one portion of the first support when the expansion portion is in an expanded position, and the first support is configured to be selectively moved relative to the second support when the expansion portion is permitted to assume a retracted position.

An adjustable coil spring system placed within a leg of a vehicle such as a mountain bicycle fork. The spring system comprises an adjustable first soft spring seated on top of a second firm spring having greater length than the first soft spring. A coupler assembly is positioned between two springs comprised of a threaded bolt threadedly received within a coupler. A spring adjustment means may comprise a knob connected to the threaded bolt through a non-round shaped shaft, wherein the threaded bolt is disposed within the first soft spring. As the knob rotates, the coupler is moved up along the threaded bolt, decreasing the length of the first soft spring, thereby increasing firm spring characteristics of the spring system. As the knob rotates in an opposite direction, the coupler moves down, increasing the length of the first soft spring, thereby increasing soft spring characteristics of the spring system.

A bicycle is disclosed having a control system with a user interface and an active suspension system. The control system includes a one or more sensors arranged to measure and transmit a signal indicative of the terrain over which the bicycle is being ridden. The active suspension system includes a valve box that is fluidly coupled to each chamber of the lower cylinder. An orifice in the valve box is changed in size in response to a signal from a sensor associated with the front wheel that changes the response of the suspension system due to changing terrain conditions. The user interface includes a selection device mounted to the handlebars that allows the user to change parameters of the active suspension system during operation of the bicycle.

A method for controlling an active suspension includes steps of determining a dimension of a road abnormality ahead of the vehicle and comparing the dimension with a vehicle dimension. Responsive to the comparison, the abnormality is classified as one type of a plurality of predetermined types. Responsive to a height dimension of the abnormality, the abnormality is further classified as having one of a small, medium, or large severity. The suspension is controlled responsive to the type and severity.