ACTIVE SUSPENSION ASSEMBLY FOR A VEHICLE
First Claim
1. Active suspension assembly (1, 101) for use in a vehicle to suspend a second vehicle mass (6, 106) to a first vehicle mass (4, 104), the assembly (1, 101) comprising a bearing arm (3, 103), spring means (5, 105) and adjustment means (110), wherein in use:
- the bearing arm (3, 103) is pivotally connected to the first vehicle mass (4, 104) around a pivot axis (P), to support the second vehicle mass (6, 106);
the spring means (5, 105) produce a spring force (Fs), exerting a counter moment (Mc) on the bearing arm (3, 103); and
the adjustment means (110) are arranged to vary said counter moment (Mc) by altering the direction of the spring force (Fs) and/or move its point of application (Pa) in a first direction, characterized in that the adjustment means (110) are furthermore arranged to move the point of application (Pa) of the spring force (Fs) in a second direction, in which the counter moment is not or hardly affected, but the effective spring stiffness (Ceff) of the suspension assembly (1, 101) is affected by the movement of the point of application (Pa).
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention relates to an active suspension assembly and a vehicle equipped therewith. The assembly comprises a bearing arm, spring means and adjusting means. In use, the bearing arm supports the second vehicle mass, for instance a cabin or wheel and is pivotally connected to the first vehicle mass, for instance a chassis, around a pivot axis; the spring means produce a spring force that exerts a counter moment on the bearing arm that can counterbalance any external moment acting on said bearing arm; and the adjustment means are arranged to vary said counter moment by altering the direction of the spring force and/or move its point of application in a first direction. The adjustment means are furthermore arranged to move the point of application of the spring force in a second direction, in which the counter moment is not or hardly affected, but by which the effective spring stiffness of the suspension assembly is affected. Thanks to said latter movement, the effective stiffness of the suspension can be maintained at a desired value.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. Active suspension assembly (1, 101) for use in a vehicle to suspend a second vehicle mass (6, 106) to a first vehicle mass (4, 104), the assembly (1, 101) comprising a bearing arm (3, 103), spring means (5, 105) and adjustment means (110), wherein in use:
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the bearing arm (3, 103) is pivotally connected to the first vehicle mass (4, 104) around a pivot axis (P), to support the second vehicle mass (6, 106); the spring means (5, 105) produce a spring force (Fs), exerting a counter moment (Mc) on the bearing arm (3, 103); and the adjustment means (110) are arranged to vary said counter moment (Mc) by altering the direction of the spring force (Fs) and/or move its point of application (Pa) in a first direction, characterized in that the adjustment means (110) are furthermore arranged to move the point of application (Pa) of the spring force (Fs) in a second direction, in which the counter moment is not or hardly affected, but the effective spring stiffness (Ceff) of the suspension assembly (1, 101) is affected by the movement of the point of application (Pa). - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24)
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21. Suspension assembly (1, 101), wherein the spring means (5, 105) are pre-tensioned to produce a spring force (Fs), which may be a tensile force or a pressure force.
Specification