System and method for vehicle stabilization
First Claim
1. A vehicle comprising:
- a frame;
a wheel;
a control arm comprising;
a first member connected to the frame; and
a second member connected to the wheel and rotatably connected to the first member, the second member comprising an upper side and a lower side;
a pneumatic spring defining a spring interior, the pneumatic spring comprising;
a first spring end connected to the frame; and
a second spring end connected to the second member of the control arm below the upper side;
a stabilizer defining a chamber, the stabilizer comprising;
a mount connected to the frame; and
a leg comprising a first leg end and a second leg end, the leg connected to the mount proximal the first leg end;
the stabilizer operable between;
a retracted configuration wherein the second leg end is in a retracted position; and
an extended configuration wherein the second leg end is in an extended position distal the mount relative to the retracted position;
wherein the second leg end extends into the extended position in response to application of a pneumatic force on the chamber;
a reservoir defining a reservoir interior; and
a fluid manifold connected to the pneumatic spring and to the chamber, the fluid manifold fluidly coupling the spring interior and the chamber to the reservoir interior.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle stabilization system including a frame; a wheel; a control arm connected to the frame and the wheel; a fluid spring connected to the frame and the control arm; a stabilizer connected to the frame and operable between a retracted and extended position; a reservoir; and a fluid manifold connected to the fluid spring and the chamber, fluidly coupling the spring interior and stabilizer chamber to the reservoir interior. A vehicle stabilization method including maintaining an orientation of the vehicle frame, coupling the frame to a support surface using a stabilizer by introducing a fluid to a chamber of the stabilizer, and retracting a wheel by reducing a quantity of fluid within a fluid spring coupling the wheel to the frame.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A vehicle comprising:
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a frame; a wheel; a control arm comprising; a first member connected to the frame; and a second member connected to the wheel and rotatably connected to the first member, the second member comprising an upper side and a lower side; a pneumatic spring defining a spring interior, the pneumatic spring comprising; a first spring end connected to the frame; and a second spring end connected to the second member of the control arm below the upper side; a stabilizer defining a chamber, the stabilizer comprising; a mount connected to the frame; and a leg comprising a first leg end and a second leg end, the leg connected to the mount proximal the first leg end; the stabilizer operable between; a retracted configuration wherein the second leg end is in a retracted position; and an extended configuration wherein the second leg end is in an extended position distal the mount relative to the retracted position; wherein the second leg end extends into the extended position in response to application of a pneumatic force on the chamber; a reservoir defining a reservoir interior; and a fluid manifold connected to the pneumatic spring and to the chamber, the fluid manifold fluidly coupling the spring interior and the chamber to the reservoir interior. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for stabilizing a vehicle on a support surface, the vehicle comprising a frame, a wheel, a fluid spring coupling the wheel to the frame, and a stabilizer coupled to the frame, the stabilizer defining a chamber, the method comprising, at the vehicle:
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maintaining an orientation of the frame with respect to a gravity vector, comprising actuating the fluid spring, wherein; the wheel contacts the support surface; and a point of the frame is a first distance from the support surface and a second distance from a center of the wheel; in response to maintaining the orientation, coupling the frame to the support surface using the stabilizer by introducing a pneumatic fluid to the chamber of the stabilizer, wherein the wheel contacts the support surface; and in response to coupling the frame to the support surface using the stabilizer, retracting the wheel by reducing a quantity of fluid within the fluid spring such that; the point of the frame is a third distance from the center of the wheel, the third distance less than the second distance; the point of the frame is substantially the first distance from the support surface; and the frame is substantially maintained in the orientation. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification