Patent · US Expired

Open compartment load leveling ride height control

US5517847A · kind A · utility

23Cited by
36References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 16, 1994
Grant dateMay 21, 1996
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 16, 2014

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB60G2500/30
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

Load leveling height control is provided for a vehicle by replacing a conventional scheduled vehicle height with a load leveling height which is sensed upon detection of the opening of at least one compartment of the vehicle. Load leveling height control raises and lowers the vehicle to maintain the load leveling height. While either a passenger compartment or a cargo compartment can be monitored, preferably both are monitored to protect the vehicle from potential damage both below and above the vehicle due to changes in vehicle height as a vehicle is loaded and/or unloaded. Any currently active leveling activity is aborted such that a load leveling height or open compartment height can be read and maintained as long as a compartment remains open or until vehicle speed reaches a predefined speed, for example 16 kilometers per hour (10 miles per hour), at which time the conventional scheduled vehicle height is once again utilized.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.