Vehicle cab motion control

• US 5,954,149 A
• Filed: 03/11/1997
• Issued: 09/21/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TRW Limited (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Original Assignee: TRW Limited (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Inventors: Williams, Daniel E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Culbreth, Eric D.
• Application Number:
  US08/815,444
• Time in Patent Office: 924 Days
• Field of Search: 180/417, 180/89.12, 180/89.13, 180/89.14, 180/89.15, 296/190.04, 296/190.05, 296/190.07
• US Class Current: 180/89.12
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 33/0608 pneumatic or hydraulic suspension

Abstract

An apparatus (30) which controls the motion of a cab (12) of a vehicle relative to a frame of the vehicle includes a cab motion control motor (38). A pair of motor control valves (70 and 72) are provided to control fluid pressure conducted to the cab motion control motor (38). The motor control valves (70 and 72) are supplied with fluid under pressure by a power steering pump (22). The power steering pump (22) also provides fluid under pressure to a power steering motor (20) which is operable to turn steerable vehicle wheels (18).

Claims

1. An apparatus for use in a vehicle having an operator'"'"'s cab which is movable relative to a frame of the vehicle, said apparatus comprising:

a cab motion control motor connected with the frame and cab of the vehicle and operable under the influence of fluid pressure to control motion of the cab relative to the frame, said cab motion control motor having first and second cylinder chambers disposed on opposite sides of a piston;

first motor control valve means for controlling fluid pressure conducted to said first cylinder chamber; and

second motor control valve means for controlling fluid pressure conducted to said second cylinder chamber.

2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 further including a pump connected in fluid communication with said first motor control valve means to supply fluid under pressure to said first motor control valve means, said first motor control valve means being connected in fluid communication with said second motor control valve means to supply fluid under pressure to said second motor control valve means.

3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said apparatus includes sensor means for providing an output which is a function of the direction of movement of the cab of the vehicle relative to the frame of the vehicle, and control means for effecting operation of said first motor control valve means to increase the fluid pressure in said first cylinder chamber in response to said sensor means providing an output corresponding to movement of the cab of the vehicle in a first direction relative to the frame of the vehicle and for effecting operation of said second motor control valve means to increase the fluid pressure in said second cylinder chamber in response to said sensor means providing an output corresponding to movement of the cab of the vehicle in a second direction relative to the frame of the vehicle.

4. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the vehicle has steerable vehicle wheels, said apparatus further including a power steering motor connected with the steerable vehicle wheels and operable under the influence of fluid pressure to turn the steerable vehicle wheels, a power steering pump connected in fluid communication with said power steering motor and with said first and second motor control valve means.

5. An apparatus for use in a vehicle having steerable vehicle wheels and an operator'"'"'s cab which is movable relative to a frame of the vehicle, said apparatus comprising:

a power steering motor connected with the steerable vehicle wheels and operable under the influence of fluid pressure to turn the steerable vehicle wheels;

a cab motion control motor connected with the frame and cab of the vehicle and operable under the influence of fluid pressure to control motion of the cab relative to the frame;

a power steering pump connected in fluid communication with said power steering motor and said cab motion control motor; and

valve means for controlling fluid pressure conducted from said power steering pump to said cab motion control motor;

wherein said cab motion control motor includes first and second cylinder chambers disposed on opposite sides of a piston, said valve means includes first motor control valve means for controlling fluid pressure conducted from said power steering pump to said first cylinder chamber and second motor control valve means for controlling fluid pressure conducted from said power steering pump to said second motor cylinder chamber.