Patent · US Active

Vehicle ride-height determination for control of vehicle aerodynamics

US9713947B2 · kind B2 · utility

9Cited by
6References
18Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 24, 2016
Grant dateJul 25, 2017
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 24, 2036

Classification

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

Abstract

A system is configured to control aerodynamics of a vehicle. The vehicle includes a vehicle body having a front end facing an ambient airflow when the vehicle is in motion relative to a road surface. The system includes an adjustable aerodynamic-aid element mounted to the vehicle body. The system also includes a mechanism configured to vary a position of the adjustable aerodynamic-aid element relative to the vehicle body and thereby control movement of the airflow. The system additionally includes a sensor configured to detect a height of the vehicle body relative to a predetermined reference frame and a controller configured to receive a signal from the sensor indicative of the detected vehicle body height. The controller is also configured to determine a ride-height of the vehicle using the detected vehicle body height and to regulate the mechanism in response to the determined ride-height to control aerodynamics of the vehicle.

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