The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 12, 2000
Filed:
Oct. 05, 1998
Shoichi Shono, Nishikamo-gun, JP;
Atushi Sato, Susono, JP;
Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyota, JP;
Abstract
A vehicle height adjust control apparatus, incorporating a slope determination apparatus, has a vehicle speed sensor, a vehicle height detector that detects a rear vehicle height of a rear portion of a vehicle body and front vehicle heights at the right and left front wheel positions, and actuators for changing the front and rear vehicle heights. In a case where the detected vehicle speed or an acceleration calculated from the detected vehicle speed is small and where the difference between the detected front vehicle heights at the right and left wheel positions is small and the averaged front vehicle height considerably deviates from a target vehicle height, a microcomputer determines that the vehicle is on a steep slope. When it is determined so, the microcomputer inhibits automatic vehicle height adjust control including the control of the actuators, thereby preventing undesired events that immediately after the vehicle moves from the steep slope onto a horizontal road, the vehicle has an awkwardly tilted appearance or the vehicle body interferes with a road surface.