SUSPENSION SYSTEMS FOR ROAD VEHICLES

• US 3,603,612 A
• Filed: 07/24/1969
• Issued: 09/07/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/1968
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lancelot Phoenix, William Frank Hill
• Original Assignee: Lancelot Phoenix, William Frank Hill
• Inventors: Hill, William Frank, Phoenix, Lancelot
• Primary Examiner(s): Buchler, Milton
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kunin, Stephen G.
• Application Number:
  US04/844,289
• Time in Patent Office: 775 Days
• Field of Search: 267/8,65D 280/124F 188/87,266,267,299,3.18
• US Class Current: 280/5.515
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/018 characterised by the use of a specific signal treatment or control method
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/302 Selected gear ratio; Transmission function
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2500/10 Damping action or damper
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2600/184 Semi-Active control means
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2600/73 Electrical control
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2600/74 Analog systems

Abstract

In a road vehicle suspension the damping of the system is greater at high speeds than low speeds. Typically, a plurality of shock absorbers having adjustable damping characteristics are used, and electromagnetic means adjust the damping characteristic of each shock absorber under the control of speed responsive means so that the damping is increased above a predetermined speed of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A road vehicle suspension system comprising in combination a plurality of shock absorbers having adjustable damping characteristics, each of said shock absorbers incorporating a restrictor with which is associated an electromagnetic winding which when energized blocks said restrictor thereby increasing the damping characteristic of each shock absorber, a first transistor, means coupling said first transistor to said windings, means biasing said first transistor to conduction, a second transistor, means coupling said second transistor to said first transistor whereby said second transistor when conductive turns said first transistor off, a pump circuit including a capacitor, means coupling said pump circuit to said second transistor whereby said pump circuit turns said second transistor off when the voltage across said capacitor reaches a predetermined level, a toothed wheel driven by the engine of said road vehicle, and electromagnetic pickup means operable by said toothed wheel to charge said capacitor to a level which increases with the speed of the vehicle, whereby said second transistor is turned off above a predetermined speed of the vehicle.