Vehicle suspension system with variable geometry
First Claim
1. A vehicle suspension system with variable geometry for suspending an endless track beneath a vehicle, comprising:
- a rigid suspension arm pivotally attached to a vehicle chassis;
a biasing/dampening mechanism having a first end operatively attached to the chassis and a second end;
an electric actuator mechanism operatively connecting the second end of the biasing/dampening mechanism to the moveable suspension arm, the actuator mechanism having means for moving the second end along at least one axis when the vehicle is in a dynamic mode to alter the motion ratio of the vehicle suspension system, anda control mechanism for activating the actuator mechanism, wherein the actuator mechanism is intermittently connected in series with an electric power source on the vehicle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle suspension system with a variable geometry. A moveable suspension arm is pivotally attached to a vehicle chassis. A biasing/dampening mechanism is operatively attached to the vehicle chassis at a first end. An actuator mechanism operatively connects the second end of the biasing/dampening mechanism to the moveable suspension arm. The actuator mechanism has a mechanism for moving the second end along at least one axis when the vehicle is in a static or dynamic mode to increase or decrease the motion ratio or displacement of the biasing/dampening mechanism to the total displacement of the suspension system relative to the vehicle chassis. A control mechanism is provided for activating the actuator mechanism.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A vehicle suspension system with variable geometry for suspending an endless track beneath a vehicle, comprising:
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a rigid suspension arm pivotally attached to a vehicle chassis; a biasing/dampening mechanism having a first end operatively attached to the chassis and a second end; an electric actuator mechanism operatively connecting the second end of the biasing/dampening mechanism to the moveable suspension arm, the actuator mechanism having means for moving the second end along at least one axis when the vehicle is in a dynamic mode to alter the motion ratio of the vehicle suspension system, and a control mechanism for activating the actuator mechanism, wherein the actuator mechanism is intermittently connected in series with an electric power source on the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A suspension system with variable geometry for suspending an endless track beneath a tracked vehicle, the suspension assembly having an elongated slide rail with a bottom track engaging portion defining a longitudinal axis, at least one rigid suspension arm pivotally connecting the vehicle chassis with the slide rail, and a biasing/dampening mechanism for urging the slide rail away from the vehicle chassis, the biasing/dampening mechanism having an first end operatively connected to the vehicle chassis at a first location and a second end operatively connected to the slide rail at a second location, the suspension system comprising:
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an electric actuator mechanism operatively connecting the second end of the biasing/dampening mechanism to the slide rail, the actuator mechanism having means for moving the second end along at least one axis when the vehicle is in a dynamic mode to alter the displacement of the biasing/dampening mechanism to a total displacement of the slide rail relative to the chassis; and a control mechanism for activating the actuator mechanism, wherein the actuator mechanism is intermittently connected with an electric power source on the tracked vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method for adjusting the geometry of a suspension system on a vehicle comprising the steps of:
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pivotally attaching a moveable suspension arm to a vehicle chassis; applying a biasing force between the chassis and a first location on the moveable suspension arm using a biasing/dampening mechanism; connecting an actuator mechanism in series to an electrical system on the vehicle, and signaling a control mechanism to activate the actuator mechanism when the vehicle is in a dynamic mode, whereby the location where the biasing force engages with the moveable suspension arm is displaced to a second location and the motion ratio of the suspension system is altered. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A suspension system with variable geometry for suspending an endless track beneath a tracked vehicle, the suspension assembly having an elongated slide rail with a bottom track engaging portion defining a longitudinal axis, at least one rigid suspension arm pivotally connecting the vehicle chassis with the slide rail, and a biasing/dampening, mechanism for urging the slide rail away from the vehicle chassis, the biasing/dampening mechanism having an first end operatively connected to the vehicle chassis and a second end, the suspension system comprising:
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an electric actuator mechanism mounted on the slide rail and operatively connecting the second end of the biasing/dampening mechanism to the slide rail, the actuator mechanism being capable of moving the second end along at least one axis when the vehicle is in a dynamic mode to alter the displacement of the biasing/dampening mechanism relative to a total displacement of the slide rail relative to the chassis; and a control mechanism for activating the actuator mechanism.
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29. A suspension system with variable geometry for suspending an endless track beneath a tracked vehicle, the suspension assembly having an elongated slide rail with a bottom track engaging portion defining a longitudinal axis, at least one rigid suspension arm pivotally connecting the vehicle chassis with the slide rail, and a biasing/dampening mechanism for urging the slide rail away from the vehicle chassis, the biasing/dampening mechanism having an first end operatively connected to the slide rail and a second end, the suspension system comprising:
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an electric actuator mechanism mounted to the vehicle chassis and operatively connecting the second end of the biasing/dampening mechanism to the vehicle chassis, the actuator mechanism being capable of moving the second end along an axis when the vehicle is in a dynamic mode to alter the displacement of the biasing/dampening mechanism relative to a total displacement of the slide rail relative to the chassis; and a control mechanism for remotely activating the actuator mechanism.
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Specification