Tire contact load control system

摘要

An active actuator is interposed between the unsprung mass and the sprung mass of a vehicle, and a controller selectively extends and retracts the actuator at a prescribed acceleration so as to selectively apply an additional contact load to the wheel by making use of the inertial force of the sprung mass and/or the unsprung mass of the vehicle. A particularly advantageous result can be achieved by increasing the tire contact load according to the judgment of the vehicle operator who would, for example, actuate a switch at a desired or appropriate time such as when braking the vehicle, turning a curve or accelerating on a slippery road surface.