Computer optimized adaptive suspension system having combined shock absorber/air spring unit
First Claim
1. A damping device having a cylinder for receiving hydraulic fluid, a piston rod, and a piston mounted on the piston rod which is reciprocable within the cylinder and defines therein a compression chamber and a rebound chamber on opposite sides of the piston, the improvement comprising:
- hydraulic sensor means in communication with the hydraulic fluid in the cylinder for generating signals representative of the position of the piston within the cylinder in response to the volume of hydraulic fluid displaced from the cylinder by the piston rod.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle suspension system in which a computer controls damping and spring forces to optimize ride and handling characteristics under a wide range of driving conditions. A combined shock absorber/air spring unit is connected between the wheel and frame of a vehicle. The shock absorber includes a hydraulic sensor which provides signals to the computer which are representative of the position of the piston within the shock absorber. The computer utilizes these signals to control compression and rebound hydraulic pressure regulators to produce preprogrammed compression and rebound damping forces that will yield the desired ride and handling. The air spring may be connected in series with the shock absorber for compression and rebound along the same axis. Pressure sensors and air pressure inlet and outlet valves are connected to the computer for adjusting the pressure within the air spring to provide the desired spring rate.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. A damping device having a cylinder for receiving hydraulic fluid, a piston rod, and a piston mounted on the piston rod which is reciprocable within the cylinder and defines therein a compression chamber and a rebound chamber on opposite sides of the piston, the improvement comprising:
hydraulic sensor means in communication with the hydraulic fluid in the cylinder for generating signals representative of the position of the piston within the cylinder in response to the volume of hydraulic fluid displaced from the cylinder by the piston rod. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A damping device having a cylinder for receiving hydraulic fluid, a piston rod, and a piston mounted on the piston rod which is reciprocable within the cylinder and defines therein a compression chamber and a rebound chamber on opposite sides of the piston, the improvement comprising:
first electrically controllable pressure regulator means coupled to the compression chamber, and second electrically controllable pressure regulator means coupled to the rebound chamber, the first and second pressure regulator means being adapted to receive signals from a control circuit for independently adjusting the pressure of the hydraulic fluid in the respective chambers during reciprocation of the piston. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 23)
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14. A damping device comprising:
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a cylinder for receiving hydraulic fluid; a piston rod; a piston mounted on the piston rod adapted for reciprocable movement within the cylinder and defining therein a compression chamber and a rebound chamber on opposite sides of the piston; sensor means for generating signals representative of the position of the piston within the cylinder; and at least one electrically controllable pressure regulator means coupled to at least one of the cylinder chambers and adapted to receive signals from a control circuit for adjusting the pressure of the hydraulic fluid in the chamber, independent of the pressure in the other chamber, during reciprocation of the piston. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 22)
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19. A damping device comprising:
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controllable shock absorber means extendable in compression and rebound directions; sensor means in communication with the shock absorber means for generating signals representative of the degree of extension of the shock absorber means; and regulator means coupled to the shock absorber means for independently adjusting the damping force of the shock absorber means in response to the changes in extension in the compression direction and in the rebound direction.
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20. Suspension apparatus comprising:
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spring means; regulator means coupled to the spring means for adjusting the spring rate of the spring means; shock absorber means; sensor means in communication with the shock absorber means for generating signals representative of the degree of extension of the shock absorber means; and regulator means coupled to the shock absorber means for independently adjusting the compression damping force of the shock absorber means and the rebound damping force of the shock absorber means. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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24. A damping device for controlling resistance forces to compression and rebound movement between opposite sides of the device comprising:
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electrically controllable pressure regulator means adapted to receive signals from a control circuit for independently controlling compression movement and rebound movement resistance forces between the opposite sides of the device during compression and rebound movement between the opposite sides, and means responsive to a change in movement between the first and second sides for cushioning such resistance forces. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26)
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27. A method for damping periodic forces exerted on a system comprising the steps of:
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absorbing the compression and rebound forces exerted on the system with hydraulic fluid; and electrically and independently controlling the regulation of the pressure of the hydraulic fluid absorbing the compression forces and the pressure of the hydraulic fluid absorbing the rebound forces. - View Dependent Claims (31)
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28. A method for controlling resistance forces to compression and rebound movement between opposite sides of a damping device comprising the steps of:
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controlling electrically and independently compression movement and rebound movement resistance forces between the opposite sides of the device during compression and rebound movement between the opposite sides, and cushioning such resistance forces upon a change in movement between the first and second sides. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 32)
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Specification