Patent · US Expired

Ride height setting based on transfer case setting

US5593176A · kind A · utility

14Cited by
14References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 16, 1994
Grant dateJan 14, 1997
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 16, 2014

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB60G2600/20
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

In vehicles having drive wheel selections, accessed for example through a transfer case, drive wheel settings are used to determine a desired vehicle ride height at which the vehicle is maintained by a vehicle suspension control system. Preferably, both vehicle speed and transfer case setting are combined to determine the desired vehicle ride height. With two wheel drive selected, the desired vehicle ride height is set to a low ride height which provides the most aerodynamic airflow for the vehicle. However, if four wheel drive is selected, the speed is checked to determine the desired vehicle ride height. If four wheel drive (automatic four wheel drive) is selected, low ride height is still selected for speeds in excess of a first defined speed. For speeds at or below the first defined speed, a high ride height approximately 1 inch above the low ride height is set for the desired ride height. If four wheel drive low is selected, typically in contemplation of off-road operation, a higher still ride height or off-road ride height approximately 1 inch above high ride height is set for the desired ride height.

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