Professional Documents
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Air Susspension
Air Susspension
1. General
The multi-link with upper and lower double ball joint type independent suspension is used on the front
suspension, and the multi-link type independent suspension is used on the rear suspension.
CH
2. Front Suspension
General
Through the optimal location of components, and the geometry optimization, the front suspension provides
excellent riding comfort and controllability.
Stabilizer Bar
Steering Knuckle
D Hollow stabilizer bar used
D Made of forged
aluminum is used Coil Spring
D Optimized characteristics
Shock Absorber CH
D Multi-leaf type
linear control valve used
D Rebound spring used
Air Suspension
D Consists of pneumatic cylinder
with shock absorber
036CH163Y
Tire Contact
Point Variation
036CH211Y
King Pin
Tire Center
Wheel Center
King Pin Offset
Axle Center
Suspension Upper Support and Coil Spring (Coil Spring Type Suspension Models)
D The suspension upper support transmits the load that is applied via the spring through its metal structure,
while the rubber portion receives only the load that is applied through the shock absorber.
D The shape of upper and lower ends of the coil spring is optimized for lateral load applied to the shock
absorber, thus achieving driving stability and riding comfort.
D The dust cover is designed to completely cover the piston rod to reduce the intrusion of dust and improves
the durability of the shock absorber.
Bound CH
Stopper
Dust
Cover Coil Spring
Shock Absorber
036CH220TE
CH-60 CHASSIS SUSPENSION AND AXLE
Shock Absorber
1) General
The two functions listed below are used for the shock absorber to realize both driving stability and riding
comfort.
D A mono-tube type shock absorber with a rebound spring is used.
D A multi-leaf type linear control valve is used to attain linear damping force characteristics.
D A high-pressure (N2) gas sealed type construction is used to suppress cavitation.
D The bypass port is provided to bypass a constant amount of oil, ensuring driving comfort at low piston
speed.
Rebound Spring
Bypass Port
High-pressure
Gas (N2) Multi-Leaf Type
Linear Control Valve
036CH192H
Service Tip
To prevent hazardous conditions, make sure to empty the gas from the shock absorber before
discarding a high-pressure (N2) gas sealed shock absorber. For details, see the 2007 LEXUS
LS460L/LS460 Repair Manual (Pub. No. RM0360U).
CHASSIS SUSPENSION AND AXLE CH-61
07 LS460L/460
06 LS430
Extension Side
Damping Force
Piston Speed
Compression Side
Damping Force
CH
036CH222TE
Previous Type
Improved
Continuity
New Type
036CH224S
3) Rebound Spring
The function of the built-in rebound spring is to combine with the function of the coil spring in order to
restrain the elongation of the entire suspension during rebounds. Consequently, only the function of the
coil spring is applied when the suspension stroke is small during normal driving, in order to realize a soft
and comfortable ride. However, when the inner wheel makes large rebounds, such as when the vehicle
is cornering, the functions of both the rebound spring and the coil spring are combined in order to reduce
the elongation of the entire suspension. As a result, the vehicle has excellent maneuverability and
stability.
Rebound
Spring
Load
Rebound Bound
Stroke
Beginning Stroke
Coil Spring of Rebound Spring
Entire Suspension
Characteristic of Shock Absorber
with Built-in Rebound Spring 185CH16
Beginning Stroke
Collapsed Height
of Rebound Spring
of Rebound Spring
Standard
Length
Full Stroke
State
Rebound
Spring
Free Length
036CH221TE
(a) (b)
3. Rear Suspension
General
Rear suspension realizes excellent stability and ride comfort by optimizing the suspension geometry and
the allocation of components.
Upper Support
D Optimized characteristics
Upper Arm No. 2
D Made of forged aluminum is used
Coil Spring
D Optimized spring rate CH
Shock Absorber
D Multi-leaf type linear
control valve used
Air Suspension
D Consist of pneumatic cylinder
with shock absorber
036CH165Y
Models with Air Suspension System
CH-64 CHASSIS SUSPENSION AND AXLE
Ideal Roll Center Height Lower Roll Center Height High Roll Center Height
(Vehicles postural (Vehicles postural (Vehicles postural
changes are minimal.) changes are considerable.) changes are considerable.)
Anti-Lift
D During braking, the inertial force causes the center of gravity of the vehicle body to move, and reduces
the load on the rear wheels. As a result, the back of the rear end of the vehicle lifts up.
D The vehicle body attempts to use the geometric intersecting point OR of the suspension to sustain the
braking force that is generated at the road surface. Then, the braking force BF generates the following
components: the force BF1 that acts on the intersecting point OR, and the force BF2 that acts in the
direction of the ground surface. The direction and the intensity of this force, which acts in the direction
of the ground surface, can be changed by changing the height of the intersecting point OR. Thus, by
setting it at a position higher than the road surface, it acts in the opposite direction of the load movement
nW, and suppresses the lifting of the rear end of the vehicle.
OR
BF2
BF
W BF1
nW
036CH214Y
CHASSIS SUSPENSION AND AXLE CH-65
Anti-Squat
D During a start off or acceleration, the inertial force causes the center of gravity of the vehicle body to
move. This increases the load on the rear wheels, causing the rear end of the vehicle to squat.
D The vehicle body uses the geometric intersecting point OR of the suspension to sustain the drive force
that acts on the axle center. Then, the drive force T generates the following components: the force T1
that acts in the direction of the intersecting point, and the force T2 that acts in the direction of the ground
surface. By setting the intersecting point OR at a position higher than the axle center, the force that acts
in the direction of the ground surface will cancel out the load nW that increases with the start off or
acceleration. As a result, it suppresses the squatting of the rear end of the vehicle.
OR
T1
T
T2 CH
nW
036CH215Y
07 LS460L/460
06 LS430
Shock Absorber
Kingpin Axle
036CH216Y
CH-66 CHASSIS SUSPENSION AND AXLE
: Upper Arm
: Lower Arm
036CH213Y
Harshness Reduction
The vehicle movement subjected to the vehicle, when traveling over an uneven road surface, and the
suspension stroke movement are matched, thus the impact from the road surface can be suppressed and the
ride comfort can be improved.
Impact
036CH217Y
CHASSIS SUSPENSION AND AXLE CH-67
Shock Absorber
1) General
The two functions listed below are used for the shock absorber to realize both driving stability and riding
comfort.
D A mono-tube type shock absorber is used. For details, refer to Front Suspension section on page
CH-60.
D A multi-leaf type linear control valve is used to attain linear damping force characteristics.
D A high-pressure (N2) gas sealed type construction is used to suppress cavitation.
D The bypass port is provided to bypass a constant amount of oil, ensuring driving comfort at low piston
speed.
CH
Bypass Port
Multi-Leaf Type
Linear Control Valve
High-pressure
Gas (N2)
036CH193H
Service Tip
To prevent hazardous conditions, make sure to empty the gas from the shock absorber before
discarding a high-pressure (N2) gas sealed shock absorber. For details, see the 2007 LEXUS
LS460L/LS460 Repair Manual (Pub. No. RM0360U).
CH-68 CHASSIS SUSPENSION AND AXLE
Stabilizer Bar
D A highly rigid, solid type stabilizer bar is used.
D A ball-joint type stabilizer link is used to ensure excellent response and rigidity.
D The stabilizer bar is bonded to the stabilizer bush, and the stabilizer bush is bonded to the bracket. This
achieves the smooth movement of the stabilizer bar in the torsional direction, and improves the steering
feeling and driving comfort.
Stabilizer Bar
Bonded Portion
Stabilizer Bush
036CH225Y
CHASSIS SUSPENSION AND AXLE CH-69
4. Air Suspension
General
D An air suspension system has been provided on the 07 LS460L/460 as an option. For details, refer to
the Equipment List on page MO-26.
D Through the combination of the air spring that absorb shock and the shock absorbers that react quickly
and effectively, this system has achieved great driving dynamics, driving stability and ride comfort in
the higher level.
D This system follows the semi-active control (Non-Linear H Control) used on the 06 LS 430. As a result,
excellent maneuverability and stability have been achieved.
D Hall IC type height control sensors have been provided.
D In addition to the vehicle height adjustment through the height control sensor link used on the 06 LS430,
a vehicle height adjustment function using a hand-held tester/techstream has been added. For details,
refer to the 2007 LEXUS LS460L/LS460 Repair Manual (Pub. No. RM0360U).
D The electric power control ECU sends the load control request signal to the air suspension control ECU CH
depending on the condition of the battery. Upon receiving the signal, the air suspension control ECU
temporarily limits the power consumption of the system. For details, refer to Electric Power Control
System section on page BE-30.
REFERENCE
D To summarize, H control is a theory for designing a controller that meets the control specifications that
are represented by the H norm (a unit of measurement of the transfer function of the system). When this
is expanded into a non-linear system, it is called non-linear H control.
D The H is the initial letter of the mathematician named Hardy (who studied the stability of control
systems) who advocated the mathematical space that is handled by this control theory. The
represents the norm, which is one of the mathematical units used for measuring the size of the
signals.
Service Tip
Before jacking the vehicle or raising it on a hoist, make sure that the power source is OFF.
If the vehicle must be raised with its engine running, jump terminals OPA and CG of the DLC3 (Data
Link Connector 3) to stop the vehicle height control operation of the air suspension control ECU.
CH-70 CHASSIS SUSPENSION AND AXLE
Height Rear
Control Suspension
Control Actuator Acceleration
Valve Sensor
Height ECM
Suspension Control Relay
Control Actuator
Front Height
Control Sensor
Height
Control
Valve
Steering
Angle Sensor
Stop Air Suspension
Light Control ECU
Switch
Front Height Control
Acceleration Connector
Sensor AFS ECU
Main Body
ECU
DLC3
Height Control
036CH170TE
Switch
CHASSIS SUSPENSION AND AXLE CH-71
System Diagram
Wiring Diagram
SHFR
SLFR
Height Control
Height Control SBR1 Solenoid Valve
Sensor (FR) (FR)
SGR1
SLRR
Height Control
Solenoid Valve
SHRL (RR)
Air Suspension
Height Control SBL2 Control ECU
Sensor (RL)
SGL2 Height Control Relay
RC
SHR2 Compressor Motor
SHF2
RM+
AFS ECU SBL3
SGL3
RM
SGFL
Front SGL
Acceleration
Sensor SBL SLEX Height Control
Exhaust Valve
SGRR FAR+
Rear SGR3 FAR Suspension
Acceleration FBR+ Control Actuator
Sensor SBR3 FBR (FR)
(Continued)
036CH218Y
CHASSIS SUSPENSION AND AXLE CH-73
FAL+
FAL Suspension
FBL+ Control
FBL Actuator (FL)
RAL+
Air
TD Suspension RAL Suspension
DLC3 Control
Control RBL+
ECU RBL Actuator (RL)
RAR+
RAR Suspension
RBR+ Control
RBR Actuator (RR) CH
CAN
(Braking and CAN (Steering Bus)
Driving Bus)
Steering Angle Sensor
ECM
Yaw Rate &
Deceleration Sensor
Skid Control ECU
ECM
CAN (V Bus)
036CH219Y
CH-74 CHASSIS SUSPENSION AND AXLE
Component Function
Suspension Control Actuators Changes the damping force.
Height Control Relay Supplies electricity to the compressor motor.
Front and Rear Height Control Supplies and discharges compressed air to and from air chambers
Valves in 4 pneumatic cylinders (front left and right, rear left and right).
Compressor and
Compressor Supplies compressed air to increase the vehicle height.
Motor
and Dryer
Height Control
Assy Removes moisture from the compressed air.
Dryer
Discharges compressed air to atmosphere from pneumatic
Exhaust Valve
cylinders to lower the vehicle.
Detects the vehicle height, and displacement volume of the
Height Control Sensors
suspension caused by unevenness of the road.
Front Acceleration Sensors Detects the front right and left body vertical accelerated motions.
Rear Acceleration Sensor Detects the rear body vertical accelerated motion.
By connecting terminals, adjusts the vehicle height directly
Height Control Connector
without passing through the air suspension ECU.
Steering Angle Sensor Detects the steering direction and angle of the steering wheel.
D Detects the vehicles yaw rate.
Yaw Rate & Deceleration Sensor
D Detects the vehicles longitudinal and lateral acceleration.
Height Control Switch Selects the vehicle height.
Damping Mode Select Switch Selects the damping force.
D Illuminates to indicate that the height control switch position
Height Control
is in HIGH.
Combination Indicator Light
D Flashes to indicate an air suspension system malfunctions.
Meter
Absorber Control Lights up indicating that damping force are in SPORT mode
Indicator Light or COMFORT mode by the damping mode select switch.
Receivers the signals of the stop light switch, and speed sensor,
Skid Control ECU
and sends them to the air suspension control ECU.
Receives signals of the door courtesy switches, pattern select
Main Body ECU switch and damping mode select switch, and sends them to the
air suspension control ECU.
Receives the signals of the crankshaft position sensor engine
ECM speed, and IC regulator, and sends them to the air suspension
control ECU.
D Controls the damping force and vehicle height according to
the operation modes.
D Blinks the height control indicator light to warn the driver
Air Suspension Control ECU
when the ECU detects a malfunction in the suspension control
system.
D Blinks the height control indicator light to output the DTC.
CHASSIS SUSPENSION AND AXLE CH-75
Bound
Bound
Rebound Rebound
036CH199Z 036CH200Z
Front Rear
CH-76 CHASSIS SUSPENSION AND AXLE
2) Acceleration Sensor
D Acceleration sensors detect the vertical movement above the body.
D Two accelerator sensors are provided in the front. One of them is integrated in the absorber control
ECU. The other acceleration sensor is provided in the rear. Thus, the acceleration sensors
independently detect the vertical acceleration rate of the vehicle.
Beam
Extension
Vertical
Acceleration
Rate
Sensor Tip
Contraction
036CH166Y
02DCH103Y
Front
Solenoid Valve
To Pneumatic
Cylinder
From Compressor CH
Cross Section
036CH197Z
Dryer
Compressor
Motor
036CH198Z
CH-78 CHASSIS SUSPENSION AND AXLE
Air Chamber
Air Chamber
Bound Stopper Bound Stopper
Rebound Cushion
High-Pressure High-Pressure
Nitrogen Gas Nitrogen Gas
036CH195H
Front
Rear
Rotary Valve
Multi-leaf Type
Linear Control Valve 036CH194H
CHASSIS SUSPENSION AND AXLE CH-79
15_
Stators
Hard
CH
Coils Magnetic Rotor
189CH48
Output shaft
189CH49
8) Quick Connector
The quick connector used on the 07 LS460L/460 is the same as that used on 06 LS430, and thus the
service performance has been improved.
CH-80 CHASSIS SUSPENSION AND AXLE
SPORT COMFORT
NORMAL
NORMAL
COMFORT
SPORT
036CH230S
CHASSIS SUSPENSION AND AXLE CH-81
1) General
The air suspension control system of 07 LS460L/460 is compared below.
07
Control Function 06 LS430
LS460L/460
Smoothly changes the damping force to a target
Semi-Active Control
value in accordance with the changes in the road
(Non-Linear f z
surface or driving conditions. This results in
H Control)
exceptional ride comfort.
Regulates the damping force to reduce the phase
Roll Posture difference between the vehicle roll and pitch
f
Control angles during steering, thus, providing smooth,
superior maneuverability
CH
Regulates the damping force as if a virtual shock
absorber is provided on the side facing the
Imaginary
corner in order to prevent the upward shift of the
Roll Damper f
vehicle center of gravity. As a result, excellent
Control
stability and controllability are provided during
cornering.
Changes damping force to harder. This control
Anti-Dive suppresses nose diving of the vehicle during
f z
Control braking and minimizes changes of the vehicle
posture.
Changes damping force to harder. This control
Anti-Squat suppresses squaring of the vehicle during
f z
Control acceleration and minimizes the change to the
vehicle posture.
Speed Changes damping force to harder. This control
Sensitive provides the excellent driving stability and f z
Control controllability at high speeds.
07
Control Function 06 LS430
LS460L/460
Maintains vehicle height at a constant level
regardless of the passenger and luggage
Auto-Levelingg
weights Operation of the height control switch
weights. f z
Control
changes the target vehicle height to normal or
high level.
Lowers the vehicle height when the vehicle is
driven at a prescribed speed or higher. (To low
High
g Speed
p pposition if normal is selected or to normal
f z
Control if high is selected). This increases the vehicle
aerodynamics and provides increased stability
at high speeds.
CH-82 CHASSIS SUSPENSION AND AXLE
Acceleration
(m/s2)
0
Time (s)
189CH51
Roll
Angle
036CH227TE
CHASSIS SUSPENSION AND AXLE CH-83
4) Self-Diagnosis
If the air suspension control ECU detects a malfunction in this system, it blinks the height control
indicator light to alert the driver of the malfunction. The air suspension control ECU will also store the
codes of the malfunctions. The DTC (Diagnostic Trouble Code) can be accessed through the blinking
of the height control indicator light or the use of a hand-held tester/techstream. For details, refer to the
2007 LEXUS LS460L/LS460 Repair Manual (Pub. No. RM0360U).
Service Tip
When using a hand-held tester, a dedicated adapter [CAN VIM (Vehicle Interface Module)] must
be connected between the DLC3 and the hand-held tester. For details, see the 2007 LEXUS
LS460L/LS460 Repair Manual (Pub. No. RM0360U).
5) Fail-Safe CH
If a malfunction occurs in any of the sensors or actuator, the air suspension control ECU prohibits the
vehicle height control and/or the damping force control.
6) Active Test
The operation of the vehicle height control can be checked by shorting the using a hand-held
tester/techstream, which directly activates the suspension control actuators. For details, refer to the 2007
LEXUS LS460L/LS460 Repair Manual (Pub. No. RM0360U).