Adaptive load dependent suspension system
First Claim
1. A suspension damping system for use with a vehicle having a chassis, the damping system including:
- a spring interconnecting an unsprung portion of the vehicle and the vehicle chassis, said spring having a fluid therein;
a shock absorber interconnecting the unsprung portion and the vehicle chassis;
a first pressure circuit for conveying said fluid at a first pressure between said spring and said shock absorber;
a second pressure circuit for conveying said fluid at a second pressure between said spring and said shock absorber, said first and second pressures being different; and
means for selectively and discretely restricting passage of fluid to that of said first pressure or to that of said second pressure.
14 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A suspension system for use in a motor vehicle that is self-adjusting in response to vehicle load and roadway conditions. The system incorporates a pneumatic arrangement for such an adaptive load dependent system which connects air springs with fluid-cushion shock absorbers. The pneumatic arrangement may directly connect the air springs and the shock absorbers to a high pressure circuit that provides a firm ride to the vehicle. Alternatively, the system may be switched to indirectly connect the air springs and the shock absorbers to a low pressure circuit that provides a soft ride. A sensor is provided to sense conditions that operate a control valve to switch between the firm ride and the soft ride choices.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A suspension damping system for use with a vehicle having a chassis, the damping system including:
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a spring interconnecting an unsprung portion of the vehicle and the vehicle chassis, said spring having a fluid therein; a shock absorber interconnecting the unsprung portion and the vehicle chassis; a first pressure circuit for conveying said fluid at a first pressure between said spring and said shock absorber; a second pressure circuit for conveying said fluid at a second pressure between said spring and said shock absorber, said first and second pressures being different; and means for selectively and discretely restricting passage of fluid to that of said first pressure or to that of said second pressure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A suspension damping system for use with a vehicle having a chassis, the damping system including:
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a spring interconnecting an unsprung portion of the vehicle and the vehicle chassis, said spring having a fluid therein; a shock absorber interconnecting the unsprung portion and the vehicle chassis; a discrete control valve having a movable valve that defines a first pressure path and a second pressure path; a fluid junction; a spring pressure line interconnecting said spring and said fluid junction for conveying said fluid; a first pressure circuit interconnecting said junction and said discrete control valve, said first pressure circuit conveying said fluid at a first pressure; a second pressure circuit interconnecting said junction and said discrete control valve, said second pressure circuit conveying said fluid at a second pressure, said second pressure being lower than said first pressure; and a shock absorber pressure circuit connecting said shock absorber and said discrete control valve, said shock absorber pressure circuit conveying said fluid. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A suspension damping system for use with a vehicle having a chassis, said damping system comprising:
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a spring interconnecting an unsprung portion of the vehicle and the vehicle chassis; a shock absorber interconnecting the unsprung portion and the vehicle chassis; means for delivering a fluid at a first pressure between said spring and said shock absorber; means for delivering said fluid at a second pressure between said spring and said shock absorber, said first and second pressures being different; and means for selecting between delivery of said fluid at said first pressure and at said second pressure. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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23. A suspension damping system for use with a vehicle having a chassis, the damping system including:
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a spring connecting an unsprung portion of the vehicle and the vehicle chassis, said spring having a first fluid contained therein, said first fluid having a pressure, said pressure defining a control pressure; a shock absorber connecting the unsprung portion and the vehicle chassis, said shock absorber having a second fluid contained therein; a pressure circuit fluidly connecting said spring and said shock absorber for carrying said first fluid said pressure circuit operable to cause pressure changes in said first fluid; and means operatively connected with said shock absorber and connected to said pressure circuit for causing pressure changes in said first fluid to act on said second fluid. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification