Active suspension system

• US 6,352,142 B1
• Filed: 12/29/1999
• Issued: 03/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group)
• Original Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group)
• Inventors: Kim, Hyun-Soo
• Primary Examiner(s): RODRIGUEZ, PAMELA
• Application Number:
  US09/474,731
• Time in Patent Office: 797 Days
• Field of Search: 188/266.1, 188/266.2, 188/282.2, 188/282.4, 267/217, 267/221, 267/140.11, 267/64.26, 280/5.504, 280/5.505, 280/5.512, 280/5.515, 280/124.157, 280/124.162, 701/37, 701/38
• US Class Current: 188/266.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/08 Characteristics of fluid dampers adjusting fluid dampers in general F16F9/44 - F16F9/53
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2500/10 Damping action or damper

Abstract

An active suspension system for an automotive vehicle includes a mono-tube shock absorber for passively absorbing impact from a wheel, an actuator formed around the mono-tube shock absorber, the actuator acting as a cylinder for a mono-tube shock absorber, a coil spring mounted around the actuator for assisting the mono-tube shock absorber and suspending a vehicle body, a servo amplifier connected to the actuator for adjusting hydraulic pressure, a servo valve connected to the servo amplifier for duty control by selectively activating the actuator, and a on/off valve electrically connected to the servo valve for selectively activating the actuator.

Claims

1. An active suspension system for an automotive vehicle comprising:

a mono-tube shock absorber for passively absorbing impact from a wheel;

an actuator formed around the mono-tube shock absorber, the actuator acting as a cylinder for the mono-tube absorber;

a coil spring mounted around the actuator for assisting the mono-tube shock absorber and suspending a vehicle body;

a servo amplifier connected to the actuator for adjusting hydraulic pressure;

a servo valve connected to the servo amplifier for duty control in selectively activating the actuator; and

an on/off valve electrically connected to the servo valve for selectively activating the actuator,

wherein when the actuator malfunctions the on/off valve is on such that hydraulic fluid circulates in the actuator.

2. An active suspension system of claim 1 wherein the actuator forms a serial connection with the mono-tube shock absorber for enhancing absorbing effect.

3. An active suspension system for an automotive vehicle comprising:

a mono-tube shock absorber for passively absorbing impact from a vehicle wheel;

an actuator coupled to the mono-tube shock absorber;

a coil spring coupled to the actuator and for coupling to the vehicle;

a servo amplifier coupled to the actuator for adjusting pressure within the actuator;

a servo valve connected to the servo amplifier; and

an on/off valve coupled to the servo valve for selectively activating the actuator wherein said servo valve remains in a position allowing fluid to flow to the actuator when there is a malfunction in the system.