ELECTRONIC CONTROL SUSPENSION SYSTEM FOR VEHICLES

• US 20140167372A1
• Filed: 03/14/2013
• Published: 06/19/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group)
• Original Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group)
• Inventors: Kim, Jong Min, Jang, Sung Bae, Kim, Bo Min, Ko, Dae Sik
• Granted Patent: US 8,844,943 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/6.157
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/0157 non-fluid unit, e.g. electric motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/021 the mechanical spring being a coil spring B60G17/0272 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2200/32 pivoted
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2202/42 Electric actuator
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2202/442 Rotary actuator
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/12 Mounting of springs or dampers
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/423 Rails, tubes, or the like, for guiding the movement of suspension elements
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/252 vertical
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2500/20 Spring action or springs
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2500/30 Height or ground clearance
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 99/002 Suspension details of the suspension of the vehicle body on the vehicle chassis

Abstract

Disclosed herein is an electronic control suspension (ECS) system for vehicles. The ECS system includes a strut assembly which is coupled to a vehicle body and a lower portion of which is inserted through the housing to absorb the rocking from the wheel. The system further includes a vehicle height control module at a lower portion of the strut assembly, wherein the control module includes a spiral guide groove formed in the strut assembly and a guide member fitted into the guide groove. The guide member is rotated using a motor to move the guide member along the guide groove to cause the strut assembly to be moved vertically to control the height of a vehicle.

Claims

1. An electronic control suspension (ECS) system for vehicles, comprising:

a housing having an open upper end and a lower end coupled to a wheel;

a strut assembly coupled to a vehicle body at an upper end and a lower portion of which is inserted through the upper end of the housing to absorb rocking transmitted from the wheel; and

a vehicle height control module disposed at a lower portion of the strut assembly, wherein the vehicle height control module includes;

a spiral guide groove in the lower portion of the stmt assembly; and

a guide member fitted into the guide groove, wherein the guide member is rotated using a rotating force from a motor to move the guide member along the guide groove to cause the strut assembly to be moved vertically to control the height of a vehicle.

2. The ECS system according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle height control module further includes:

a guide pipe fixed to the lower portion of the strut assembly with the spiral guide groove formed in a circumference thereof; and

a rotary shaft configured to fix the guide member to an upper end thereof to fit the guide member into the guide groove.

3. The ECS system according to claim 1, wherein the guide groove includes at an end portion thereof, a horizontal linear section in which the guide member is disposed when a vehicle travels on a substantially linear road.

4. The ECS system according to claim 1, wherein the guide member is a bearing.

5. The ECS system according to claim 1, wherein the housing includes on an upper inner circumferential surface thereof, a stopper configured to prevent vertical movement of the stmt assembly.

6. The ECS system according to claim 2, further comprising:

a radial upper seat disposed in a side of an upper end of the guide pipe;

a radial lower seat disposed in a side of a lower end of the rotary shaft; and

an elastic member disposed between the upper seat and the lower seat to provide an elastic force to the strut assembly.

7. The ECS system according to claim 6, wherein the elastic member is a spring.

8. The ECS system according to claim 6, wherein the upper seat is supported on an inner circumferential surface of the housing to mount a first bearing between the upper seat and the housing.

9. The ECS system according to claim 2, further comprising:

a second bearing mounted between the rotary shaft and the housing; and

a third bearing mounted between the rotary shaft and the strut assembly.