Active suspension system for a vehicle and method of operating the same

US8185269B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC · US

Inventors

• Yunjun Li · Austin, US
• Timothy J. Herrick · Rochester Hills, US
• Nancy McMahon · Rochester, US
• Steven A. Opiteck · South Lyon, US
• John X. Cui · Rochester Hills, US
• Loren J. Majersik · Ann Arbor, US
• Nathan Wilmot · Flint, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 16, 2008
• Grant date: May 22, 2012
• Expiry date: May 10, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60G2500/30
• WIPO field: Control
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An active suspension system and method for controlling the height of a vehicle. In an exemplary embodiment, the active suspension system receives information from one or more input sources, including both internal and external vehicle inputs, and uses that information to actively control the vehicle height. By doing so, the active suspension system can reduce aerodynamic drag on the vehicle and improve the vehicle's fuel economy, ride comfort, handling, and other aspects of operation. Some examples of external vehicle inputs that may be used include: short-range road and vehicle information, as well as long-range traffic, road and route information.