Roll control system

• US 5,549,328 A
• Filed: 01/17/1995
• Issued: 08/27/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gabriel Ride Control Products, Inc. (Cummins Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Gabriel Ride Control Products, Inc. (Cummins Incorporated)
• Inventors: Cubalchini, Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Ellis, Christopher P.
• Application Number:
  US08/373,016
• Time in Patent Office: 588 Days
• Field of Search: 280/772 O, 280/689, 280/723, 280/112.2, 280/707, 280/709, 280/714, 280/702, 280/695, 280/700, 267/191, 267/277, 267/218
• US Class Current: 280/5.511
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/0162 mainly during a motion involving steering operation, e.g. cornering, overtaking B60G17/0164 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 21/0555 including an actuator inducing vehicle roll
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2202/135 Stabiliser bar and/or tube
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2202/413 Hydraulic actuator
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/012 Rolling condition
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/24 Steering, cornering
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 9/02 combined with means for inwardly inclining vehicle body on bends

Abstract

A roll control system for countering the rolling forces generated by a vehicle. The hydraulically operated roll control system is activated by the vehicular speed and steering angle equalling or exceeding predetermined threshold values.

Claims

1. An improved roll control system for countering the roll forces generated by a vehicle that is capable of being driven at variable speeds and turned while being driven and that includes an anti-roll bar and an axle, the improved system comprising:

(a) a hydraulic actuator comprising a double acting piston disposed within a working cylinder and dividing the cylinder into first and second fluid chambers, with the actuator acting between the anti-roll bar and the vehicle axle;

(b) means for generating an electronic signal indicative of vehicle speed and vehicle turn direction; and

(c) a hydraulic circuit supplying fluid to the hydraulic actuator, the hydraulic circuit including a first directional control valve responsive to the electronic signal generated, the first directional control valve regulating fluid flow to the first fluid chamber, a second directional control valve responsive to the electronic signal generated, the second directional control valve regulating fluid flow to the second fluid chamber, a third directional control valve that includes a fluid flow restrictor and that is disposed between the first end of the working cylinder and a fluid reservoir, and a fourth directional control valve that includes a fluid flow restrictor and that is disposed between the second end of the working cylinder and the fluid reservoir whereby the third and fourth directional control valves provide a hydraulic cushion between the piston and the first and second ends, respectively, of the working cylinder.

2. The improved system of claim 1 wherein the signal generating means generates a signal when the vehicle speed and vehicle turn direction both equal predetermined thresholds.