Ford suspension patent: more than 20 automatic control modes allow the vehicle to "dance" out of the mud

The Ford Bronco model , which was supposed to be launched in March , will be delayed due to the new coronavirus epidemic. However, according to foreign media reports, on April 14 local time, Ford applied for a trademark for the "GOAT" mode, and the application document stated that the mode is "a drive system consisting of an automatically controlled vehicle chassis and a power system controller, integrated into a passenger car." Next, on April 15 local time, another patent application from Ford was made public, and it was related to the upcoming Bronco model, indicating that the car will be equipped with an extremely complex and technologically advanced suspension device.

The actual application date of this patent is June 11, 2019. It is called Systems and Methods for Vehicle Dynamics Assignment. Although the Bronco model is not specifically mentioned, the patent points out some off-road driving scenarios and will be used for active control to start or release four-wheel drive, raise or lower the chassis height, disconnect anti-roll bars to make the suspension better connected, etc.

The suspension system can monitor factors such as terrain, traffic and weather, as well as user input, to optimize the vehicle's ride height and suspension settings. The patent lists more than 20 different modes: Daredevil mode allows the vehicle to drive two or three wheels, perhaps to clear off-road obstacles; "Music" mode allows the car to bounce up and down with music, that is, the suspension height can be calculated according to the driver's desired pitch or beat, thereby dynamically adjusting the vehicle's suspension; there are also "Expert" and "Novice" modes to adapt to different driver abilities; "Entertainment Suspension Mode" means that active parts can be triggered by non-traditional performance inputs (such as entertainment); in addition, there are Freight Transporting Suspension mode and Terrain Target mode.

The "music" and other modes can make the vehicle "dance", which is actually an off-road suspension mode that can help the vehicle get rid of sand or mud. Although Ford has applied for this patent, not all ideas can be applied to mass-produced models. (All pictures in the article are from motor1.com)