Working fluid circuit for automotive active suspension system with enhanced take-up characteristics upon initiation of operation
First Claim
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1. A working fluid circuit system for an active suspension system of an automotive vehicle, comprising:
- an active cylinder disposed between a vehicular body and a vehicular wheel and defining therein a working chamber filled with a working fluid contained at a variable pressure therein;
a pressure source unit for pressurizing the working fluid for circulation, said pressure source unit being connected to a power switch for maintaining operation while the power switch is maintained in an ON position;
a fluid circuit connecting said working chamber and said pressure source unit for circulating the working fluid therethrough;
a pressure control valve disposed within said fluid circuit for adjusting a fluid pressure in said working chamber, said pressure control valve being operable between a first position for introducing pressurized fluid for increasing said fluid pressure in said working chamber, a second position for draining pressurized fluid from said working chamber for decreasing said fluid pressure and a third position for blocking fluid communication between said pressure source unit and said working chamber;
fluid supply control means disposed in said fluid circuit between said pressure source unit and said pressure control valve, said fluid supply control means being operable in a first position for supplying pressurized fluid from said pressure source unit to said pressure control valve and in a second position for blocking fluid supply therethrough, said fluid supply control means being maintained at said second position while said power switch is maintained at an OFF position and responsive to switching of said power switch to said ON position thereof to switch the position of said fluid supply control valve from said second position to said first position with a predetermined delay period; and
flow restriction means arranged in parallel with said fluid supply control means, for restricting fluid flow therethrough during said predetermined delay period.
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Abstract
An active suspension system is provided a timing control valve in a supply line. The timing control valve is so designed as to provide a predetermined magnitude of delay in building up line pressure upon initiation of suspension control operation. A flow restriction means is further provided in parallel relationship to the timing control valve for permitting fluid flow therethrough in limited flow rate so that sudden increasing of the line pressure in the supply line can be successfully prevented.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A working fluid circuit system for an active suspension system of an automotive vehicle, comprising:
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an active cylinder disposed between a vehicular body and a vehicular wheel and defining therein a working chamber filled with a working fluid contained at a variable pressure therein; a pressure source unit for pressurizing the working fluid for circulation, said pressure source unit being connected to a power switch for maintaining operation while the power switch is maintained in an ON position; a fluid circuit connecting said working chamber and said pressure source unit for circulating the working fluid therethrough; a pressure control valve disposed within said fluid circuit for adjusting a fluid pressure in said working chamber, said pressure control valve being operable between a first position for introducing pressurized fluid for increasing said fluid pressure in said working chamber, a second position for draining pressurized fluid from said working chamber for decreasing said fluid pressure and a third position for blocking fluid communication between said pressure source unit and said working chamber; fluid supply control means disposed in said fluid circuit between said pressure source unit and said pressure control valve, said fluid supply control means being operable in a first position for supplying pressurized fluid from said pressure source unit to said pressure control valve and in a second position for blocking fluid supply therethrough, said fluid supply control means being maintained at said second position while said power switch is maintained at an OFF position and responsive to switching of said power switch to said ON position thereof to switch the position of said fluid supply control valve from said second position to said first position with a predetermined delay period; and flow restriction means arranged in parallel with said fluid supply control means, for restricting fluid flow therethrough during said predetermined delay period. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An active suspension system for an automotive vehicle, comprising:
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an active cylinder disposed between a vehicular body and a vehicular wheel and defining therein a working chamber filled with a working fluid contained at a variable pressure therein; a pressure source unit for pressurizing the working fluid for circulation, said pressure source unit being connected to a power switch for maintaining operation while the power switch is maintained in an ON position; a fluid circuit connecting said working chamber and said pressure source unit for circulating the working fluid therethrough; a pressure control valve disposed within said fluid circuit for adjusting a fluid pressure in said working chamber, said pressure control valve being operable between a first position for introducing pressurized fluid for increasing said fluid pressure in said working chamber, a second position for draining pressurized fluid from said working chamber for decreasing said fluid pressure and a third position for blocking fluid communication between said pressure source unit and said working chamber; an active suspension control unit monitoring vehicular driving condition to produce a control signal for controlling operation of said pressure control valve so as to regulate vehicular height and vehicular attitude; a fluid supply control means disposed in said fluid circuit between said pressure source unit and said pressure control valve, said fluid supply control means being operable in a first position for supplying pressurized fluid from said pressure source unit to said pressure control valve and in a second position for blocking fluid supply therethrough, said fluid supply control means being controlled by said active suspension control unit; said active suspension control unit being responsive to switching of said power switch to said ON position thereof to command switching of position to said fluid supply control means from said second position to said first position with a predetermined delay period; and flow restriction means arranged in parallel with said fluid supply control means, for restricting fluid flow therethrough during said predetermined delay period. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification