Controlled stabilizer bar attachment apparatus for improved suspension articulation
First Claim
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1. A stabilizer bar attachment apparatus for use in attaching a stabilizer bar to a motor vehicle suspension, said stabilizer bar attachment apparatus comprising:
- a cylinder having upper and lower ends, said lower end of said cylinder being adapted to attach to said stabilizer bar;
a piston slidably disposed within said cylinder and defining therein upper and lower chambers;
a piston rod having a first end attached to said piston and axially extending through said upper end of said cylinder to a second end being adapted to attach to said motor vehicle;
a seal interposed between said piston and said cylinder, said seal being adapted to permit a predetermined amount of fluid flow sufficient to permit the stabilizer bar to achieve a neutral position after said vehicle has been stationary for a predetermined amount of time;
upper and lower ports disposed in said upper and lower chambers, respectively, adjacent to said upper and lower ends;
a valve having a first passage in communication with said upper port and a second passage in communication with said lower port, said valve being adjustable from a first position to a second position, said first position being operative to allow unrestricted fluid communication between said first and second passage and said second position being operative to substantially prevent fluid communication between said first and second passage; and
control means for adjusting said valve from said first position for increased suspension articulation to said second position for increased suspension roll stiffness.
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Abstract
A stabilizer bar attachment apparatus (15) is disclosed for use in a motor vehicle (10) for attaching a stabilizer bar (14) to the motor vehicle. The stabilizer bar attachment apparatus operatively provides for enhanced suspension articulation when a valve spool (84) is in a first position and a predetermined suspension roll stiffness when the valve spool (84) is in a second position.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A stabilizer bar attachment apparatus for use in attaching a stabilizer bar to a motor vehicle suspension, said stabilizer bar attachment apparatus comprising:
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a cylinder having upper and lower ends, said lower end of said cylinder being adapted to attach to said stabilizer bar; a piston slidably disposed within said cylinder and defining therein upper and lower chambers; a piston rod having a first end attached to said piston and axially extending through said upper end of said cylinder to a second end being adapted to attach to said motor vehicle; a seal interposed between said piston and said cylinder, said seal being adapted to permit a predetermined amount of fluid flow sufficient to permit the stabilizer bar to achieve a neutral position after said vehicle has been stationary for a predetermined amount of time; upper and lower ports disposed in said upper and lower chambers, respectively, adjacent to said upper and lower ends; a valve having a first passage in communication with said upper port and a second passage in communication with said lower port, said valve being adjustable from a first position to a second position, said first position being operative to allow unrestricted fluid communication between said first and second passage and said second position being operative to substantially prevent fluid communication between said first and second passage; and control means for adjusting said valve from said first position for increased suspension articulation to said second position for increased suspension roll stiffness. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A stabilizer bar attachment apparatus for use in attaching a stabilizer bar to a motor vehicle suspension, said stabilizer bar attachment apparatus comprising:
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a cylinder having upper and lower ends, said lower end of said cylinder being adapted to attach to said stabilizer bar; a piston slidably disposed within said cylinder and defining therein upper and lower chambers; a piston rod having a first end attached to said piston and axially extending through said upper end of said cylinder to a second end being adapted to attach to said motor vehicle; a seal interposed between said piston and said cylinder, said seal being adapted to permit a predetermined amount of fluid flow sufficient to permit the stabilizer bar to achieve a neutral position after said vehicle has been stationary for a predetermined amount of time; upper and lower ports disposed in said upper and lower chambers, respectively, adjacent to said upper and lower ends; a valve in fluid communication with said upper and lower ports, said valve being operative to control the fluid between said upper and lower chambers; and a transmission signal having a positive state when said vehicle is operated in a low gear range and a negative state when said vehicle is operated in any other gear range; and a control means for adjusting said valve between a first position and a second position responsive to said transmission signal, whereby said valve is adjusted to said first position when said transmission signal is positive to provide increased suspension articulation and to said second position when said transmission signal is negative to provide increased suspension roll stiffness. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification