Importance

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Abstract

Vehicle speed is measured and used to calculate lateral acceleration of the vehicle and speed dependent thresholds to which the lateral acceleration of the vehicle is compared to determine when to change a controllable suspension system of the vehicle to improve operation of the suspension system. The controllable suspension system includes air springs and variable damping shock absorbers switchable between soft and firm damping rates. At speeds above a given speed, lateral accelerations exceeding first speed dependent thresholds will result in switching the shock absorbers to firm and/or closing gate valves which intercouple the left and right air springs to decrease vehicle roll. For slower speeds less than the given speed, the suspension system control is desensitized such that lateral accelerations of the same given magnitudes, for example due to entering a parking space or other low speed maneuver, do not alter the suspension. Switch back of shock absorbers from firm to soft and opening of the gate valves can be based on expiration of an elapsed time period or detection of the lateral acceleration of the vehicle falling below second speed determined thresholds.

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First Claim