Vehicle suspension means having variable suspension characteristics
First Claim
1. A suspension system for motor vehicles comprising suspension means having suspension characteristics which are variable between hard and soft modes, adjusting means for changing the suspension characteristics of the suspension means, vehicle speed detecting means for detecting vehicle speed and producing a vehicle speed signal, engine power output level detecting means for detecting engine power output level and producing an engine power output level signal, control means connected with said vehicle speed detecting means and said engine output detecting means to receive said signal therefrom to detect a vehicle operating range wherein engine output is substantially larger than the output necessary to maintain constant speed vehicle operation and to produce a control signal which is applied to said adjusting means to adjust the suspension means into the hard mode when the vehicle is within said vehicle operating range.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle suspension system having suspension mechanisms including damping struts of variable damping rates and air springs of variable spring coefficients so that the suspension characteristics are changed between the "hard" and "soft" modes. A control circuit is provided for producing a control signal when the engine power output is substantially greater than the engine load to change the suspension characteristics into the "hard" mode. The arrangement is effective to prevent a rearward pitching of the vehicle in start or rapid acceleration.
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Citations
8 Claims
- 1. A suspension system for motor vehicles comprising suspension means having suspension characteristics which are variable between hard and soft modes, adjusting means for changing the suspension characteristics of the suspension means, vehicle speed detecting means for detecting vehicle speed and producing a vehicle speed signal, engine power output level detecting means for detecting engine power output level and producing an engine power output level signal, control means connected with said vehicle speed detecting means and said engine output detecting means to receive said signal therefrom to detect a vehicle operating range wherein engine output is substantially larger than the output necessary to maintain constant speed vehicle operation and to produce a control signal which is applied to said adjusting means to adjust the suspension means into the hard mode when the vehicle is within said vehicle operating range.
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8. A suspension system for motor vehicles comprising suspension means having suspension characteristics which are variable between hard and soft modes, adjusting means for changing the suspension characteristics of the suspension means, vehicle speed detecting means for detecting vehicle speed and producing a vehicle speed signal, engine power output level detecting means for detecting engine power output level and producing an engine power output level signal, control means connected with said vehicle speed detecting means and said engine power output level detecting means to receive said signals therefrom to detect a first vehicle operating range wherein the vehicle speed is lower than a first predetermined speed value and a second vehicle operating range wherein the vehicle speed is lower than a second predetermined speed value which is higher than the first predetermined speed value and the engine power output level is higher than a predetermined power output value, and to produce a control signal which is applied to said adjusting means to adjust the suspension means into the hard mode under the said first and second vehicle operating ranges.
Specification