Gravic, Inc.

Ethan E Golden

Bruce D Holenstein

Dylan R Holenstein

Jeffrey P Jarema

Tire traction is dynamically increased in a vehicle by performing a sequence of steps. The vehicle includes a controllable suspension having a damper, a spring, and an active element, a suspension controller, and a controllable aerodynamic element. The body of the vehicle is positioned at a level which allows for a predetermined amount of upward suspension travel. The suspension controller receives a trigger after the body of the vehicle is positioned at a level which allows for a predetermined amount of upward suspension travel. The suspension controller generates a first control signal upon receipt of the trigger. The first control signal is sent to the active element to generate the positive impulse. The positive impulse causes application of force to the wheel of the vehicle in a downward direction, thereby dynamically increasing tire traction. Oscillation of the body of the vehicle is inhibited using the damper as the body of the vehicle oscillates as a result of the spring, thereby inhibiting oscillation of tire traction. The rise of the body of the vehicle is limited by modulating the variable downforce on the body of the vehicle generated by the controllable aerodynamic element.

Method and apparatus to dynamically increase tire traction in a vehicle by applying one or more controlled downward directed impulses between a body of the vehicle and a wheel of a vehicle

Tire traction is dynamically increased in a vehicle by performing a sequence of steps. First, a center of mass of the body of the vehicle is raised by a predetermined amount above a base level by using an active element of a controllable suspension to generate the positive forces in response to a first signal from a suspension controller. Second, the suspension controller receives a trigger after the center of mass of the body of the vehicle is raised by the predetermined amount above the base level. Third, at least some of the generated positive forces of the active element are removed upon receipt of the trigger in response to a second signal from the suspension controller. The removal of the at least some of the generated positive forces of the active element results in the center of mass of the body of the vehicle dropping back towards the base level and increasing a load on the controllable suspension, thereby dynamically increasing tire traction. The generated positive forces of the active element are removed within a time interval that is sufficient to dynamically increase maximum tire traction by at least ten percent.

Method and apparatus to dynamically increase tire traction in a vehicle by generating positive forces between a wheel and a body of the vehicle and then quickly removing such forces

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West Chester, PA, United States of America

Ethan E Golden