11,912,089 - 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
Abstract: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.