Suspension device for a motor vehicle and its implementation

• US 7,168,720 B2
• Filed: 03/08/2004
• Issued: 01/30/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Creuat SL, T S.L. Creua
• Original Assignee: Creuat SL
• Inventors: Fontdecaba Buj, Josep
• Primary Examiner(s): Ilan; Ruth
• Application Number:
  US10/793,932
• Publication Number:
  US 20040169345A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,058 Days
• Field of Search: 280/124.104, 280/124.106, 280/124.158, 280/124.159, 280/5.505, 280/5.506, 280/5.507
• US Class Current: 280/124.159
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/0152 characterised by the action on a particular type of suspension unit B60G17/01941 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/016 characterised by their responsiveness, when the vehicle is travelling, to specific motion, a specific condition, or driver input B60G17/017 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/056 Regulating distributors or valves for hydropneumatic systemsB60G17/044 - B60G17/048, B60G17/0416 take precedence; Fluid interconnection systems to control vehicle inclination B60G21/06, B60G21/10; valves per se F16K
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 21/06 fluid
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 21/073 between wheels on the same axle but on different sides of the vehicle, i.e. the left and right wheel suspensions being interconnected
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 21/10 not permanently interconnected, e.g. operative only on acceleration, only on deceleration or only at off-straight position of steering
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2202/154 with an accumulator
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/8102 diagonally arranged
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/8304 using a fluid
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2206/0116 Integrated distribution control units with valves, accumulators, PCB's or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/252 vertical
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/61 Load distribution
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2500/203 Distributor valve units comprising several elements, e.g. valves, pump or accumulators
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/012 Rolling condition
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/014 Pitch; Nose dive
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/164 Heaving; Squatting
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/915 Suspension load distribution

Abstract

Vehicle suspension system applicable to vehicles provided with rolling arrangements that have a resistance to the roll, pitch vertical rebound, and axle crossing movement such that allows a weight distribution on every rolling arrangement. The rolling arrangements are connected to a central device that is attached to the vehicle body. The central device includes elastic devices that receive the movements and forces originated in each rolling arrangement because of the weight variations and dynamic forces created when the vehicle is traveling. Vertical forces and movements detected in the vehicle wheels are transmitted to the central device through hydraulic and/or mechanical devices.

Claims

1. Suspension device for a vehicle provided with four rolling arrangements, wherein the suspension device cooperates with or substitutes for an existing suspension and defines a kinematic and dynamic relationship between vertical movements of each rolling arrangement, said vertical movements including opposition to roll, pitch, vertical rebound, and axle crossing movement, in order to allow a weight distribution on every rolling arrangement, wherein said rolling arrangements comprise cylinders of simple effect which pistons are not provided with choke valves, said cylinders being connected by their single fluid containing chamber to a central device (CD) by fluid conduits;

wherein the central device is attached to the vehicle body, receives forces originated in each rolling arrangement, and interacts with and transmits the forces selectively to one or more rolling arrangements, either in a direct or indirect way,

the central device comprises two diagonal arrangement elements, each diagonal arrangement element comprising two different diameter double pistons that can freely move inside co-centric cylinders, comprising cylinders equal in diameter to the double pistons, wherein the co-centric cylinders define three cavities, an end cavity of a larger diameter side that is connected to an expansion chamber and two cavities that are respectively connected to diagonally opposed rolling arrangements;

wherein the end cavities of each of the diagonal arrangements are connected to one another through a valve.

2. The suspension device as set forth in claim 1, wherein each said rolling arrangement comprises a hydraulic cylinder operative to provide elasticity to a respective wheel and being hydraulically coupled to said central device, and

wherein said valve is controllable between an open and closed condition to provide isostaticity to said system.

3. The suspension device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said central device further comprises two transverse arrangement elements, a first element comprising a different diameter double piston that can freely move inside a co-centric cylinder, comprising two cylinder chambers substantially equal in diameter to the double pistons, wherein the co-centric cylinders define three cavities, including an end cavity of a larger diameter that is connected to an expansion chamber and two cavities that are respectively connected to transversely opposed rolling arrangements, and

a triple piston device having a common cylinder with three co-centric chambers and three coaxially arranged pistons, each mounted for free movement within a respective chamber and together defining four cavities, said pistons including a larger diameter central piston and two adjacent smaller pistons, said larger piston defining two central cavities and said smaller pistons each defining a respective end cavity, a first end cavity being connected to the one transversely opposed rolling arrangement and a first central cavity being connected to another transversely opposed rolling arrangement, a second central cavity being coupled to an expansion chamber, and a second end cavity being coupled to said end cavity of a larger diameter in said double piston device.

4. The suspension device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said central device further comprises two elements, each comprising a cylinder and a piston that divides said cylinder into two cavities, each said piston being moveable inside the corresponding cylinder and being biased by elastic elements that allow the pistons movement when the pressure in one cavity is larger than in the other, each cavity being connected to longitudinally opposed rolling arrangements.

5. The suspension device as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said rolling arrangements comprises a double effect hydraulic cylinder having an upper cavity and a lower cavity, the upper cavity of each transversely arranged cylinder being coupled to a lower cavity of the other transversely arranged cylinder.

6. The suspension device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said central device further comprises two double piston devices, each comprising a different diameter double piston that can freely move inside a co-centric cylinder, comprising two cylinder chambers substantially equal in diameter to the double pistons, wherein the co-centric cylinders define three cavities, including an end cavity of a larger diameter that is connected to an expansion chamber and two cavities that are respectively connected to transversely opposed rolling arrangements, said two double piston devices being connected to each other by means of a rod that links the two double pistons, in such a way the two devices are united together in a single four pistons device, the two end pistons of smaller diameter than the two central pistons, defining six cavities connected such that:

a) the two cavities separated by the smaller diameter piston at one end of the four piston device being connected to a first pair of transverse rolling arrangements,

b) the two cavities separated by the other smaller diameter piston at the other end of the four piston device being connected to a second pair of transverse rolling arrangements, and

c) the two cavities between the two larger diameter pistons that have the rod that links said double pistons being connected to respective expansion chambers.

7. Suspension device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said central device further comprises two transverse arrangement elements, each transverse arrangement element comprising two different diameter double pistons that can freely move inside co-centric cylinders, comprising cylinders equal in diameter to the double pistons, wherein the co-centric cylinders define three cavities, and end cavity of a larger diameter that is connected to an expansion chamber and two cavities that are respectively connected to transversely opposed rolling arrangements.

8. Suspension device for a vehicle provided with four rolling arrangements, wherein the suspension device cooperates with or substitutes for an existing suspension and defines a kinematic and dynamic relationship between vertical movements of each rolling arrangement, said vertical movements including opposition to roll, pitch, vertical rebound, and axle crossing movement, in order to allow a weight distribution on every rolling arrangement, wherein said rolling arrangements are connected to a central device (CD) by fluid conduits;

wherein the central device is attached to the vehicle body, receives forces originated in each rolling arrangement, and interacts with and transmits the forces selectively to one or more of the rolling arrangements, either in a direct or indirect way,

the central device comprises two diagonal arrangement elements, each diagonal arrangement element comprising two different diameter double pistons that can freely move inside co-centric cylinders, comprising cylinders equal in diameter to the double pistons, wherein the co-centric cylinders define three cavities, an end cavity of a larger diameter side that is connected to an expansion chamber and two cavities that are respectively connected to diagonally opposed rolling arrangements;

wherein the end cavities of each of the diagonal arrangements are connected to one another through a valve, and

wherein said central device further comprises two transverse arrangement elements, each transverse arrangement element comprising two different diameter double pistons that can freely move inside co-centric cylinders, comprising cylinders equal in diameter to the double pistons, wherein the co-centric cylinders define three cavities, and end cavity of a larger diameter that is connected to an expansion chamber and two cavities that are respectively connected to transversely opposed rolling arrangements.