SYSTEMS AND METHODS PROVIDING VARIABLE SPRING STIFFNESS FOR WEIGHT MANAGEMENT IN A VEHICLE
First Claim
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1. A vehicle suspension, comprising:
- a plurality of springs;
a plurality of spring retainers configured to adjust a number of inactive coils of the plurality of springs;
a motor connected to the plurality of spring retainers and configured to actuate the spring retainers to adjust the number of inactive coils of the plurality of springs; and
a controller coupled to motor to control the motor to actuate the spring retainers to adjust the number of inactive coils of the plurality of springs.
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Abstract
Systems and methods provide variable spring stiffness for weight management in a vehicle. One system includes a plurality of springs and a plurality of spring retainers configured to adjust a number of inactive coils of the plurality of springs. Additionally, a motor is provided that is connected to the plurality of spring retainers and configured to actuate the spring retainers to adjust the number of inactive coils of the plurality of springs. Further, a controller is provided that is coupled to motor to control the motor to actuate the spring retainers to adjust the number of inactive coils of the plurality of springs.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A vehicle suspension, comprising:
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a plurality of springs; a plurality of spring retainers configured to adjust a number of inactive coils of the plurality of springs; a motor connected to the plurality of spring retainers and configured to actuate the spring retainers to adjust the number of inactive coils of the plurality of springs; and a controller coupled to motor to control the motor to actuate the spring retainers to adjust the number of inactive coils of the plurality of springs. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A vehicle system, comprising:
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a frame configured to receive a plurality of axles, each of the axles having a corresponding spring suspension system with a plurality of springs; a traction motor coupled to at least some of the plurality of axles; a plurality of spring retainers configured to vary a stiffness of the plurality of springs; a motor connected to the plurality of spring retainers and configured to move the spring retainers to adjust a number of arrested coils of the plurality of springs to vary the stiffness of the plurality of springs; and a controller coupled to the motor to control the motor to move the spring retainers to adjust the number of arrested coils of the plurality of springs to vary the stiffness of the plurality of springs. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for dynamically redistributing weight in a vehicle, the method comprising:
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configuring a plurality of springs of a vehicle system suspension for variable stiffness; mounting a variable spring stiffness arrangement with the plurality of springs to the vehicle system; and controlling a stiffness of the plurality of springs by arresting at least a portion of some of the plurality of springs to provide load redistribution among axles of the vehicle system. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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Specification