Method and apparatus for a low-profile suspension system
First Claim
1. A method of providing suspension, comprising:
- adaptively maintaining a position of an object between a minimum and a maximum distance in a first direction;
rotationally actuating a shock absorbing device to dampen movement of the object between the minimum and the maximum distance, wherein a direction of a range of stroke of the shock absorbing device is angled with respect to the first direction, and wherein rotationally actuating the shock absorbing device includes,detecting movement of the object;
adaptively programming a damper resistance of the shock absorbing device in response to the detected movement;
rotating a right-angle gear drive in a second direction in response to an upward movement of the object;
rotating the right-angle gear drive in a third direction in response to a downward movement of the object;
moving a piston of the shock absorbing device in response to the rotational movement of the right-angle gear drive; and
adaptively dampening movement of the piston in response to the adaptively programmed damper resistance; and
pneumatically maintaining a position of the object along an axis orthogonal to the first direction.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for a low-profile suspension system, which provides coarse and fine suspension control to an object supported by the low-profile suspension system. Coarse suspension is provided to adaptively control a position of the object through pneumatic support devices. Pneumatic pressure is adaptively increased in the pneumatic support devices to support an increasing weight of the object, while pneumatic pressure is adaptively decreased in the pneumatic support devices to support a decreasing weight of the object. Fine suspension control is provided through rotational actuation of a shock absorbing device through a right-angle gear drive. By rotationally actuating the shock absorbing device, a range of stroke of the shock absorbing device along a vertical direction is minimized. Position equalization control is further provided to maintain a position of the object along an axis that is orthogonal to the coarse and fine suspension axis.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method of providing suspension, comprising:
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adaptively maintaining a position of an object between a minimum and a maximum distance in a first direction; rotationally actuating a shock absorbing device to dampen movement of the object between the minimum and the maximum distance, wherein a direction of a range of stroke of the shock absorbing device is angled with respect to the first direction, and wherein rotationally actuating the shock absorbing device includes, detecting movement of the object; adaptively programming a damper resistance of the shock absorbing device in response to the detected movement; rotating a right-angle gear drive in a second direction in response to an upward movement of the object; rotating the right-angle gear drive in a third direction in response to a downward movement of the object; moving a piston of the shock absorbing device in response to the rotational movement of the right-angle gear drive; and adaptively dampening movement of the piston in response to the adaptively programmed damper resistance; and pneumatically maintaining a position of the object along an axis orthogonal to the first direction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A low-profile shock absorbing device, comprising:
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a right-angle gear drive having a first member capable of being coupled to an object and a second member rotationally actuated by movement of the first member along a vertical axis; a shock absorbing device having a piston coupled to the second member of the right-angle gear drive, wherein a direction of a range of stroke of the piston is angled with respect to the vertical axis; and a position equalization device including, a plurality of air pistons coupled to the object, wherein a length of each of the plurality of air pistons determines the equilibrium position of the object along an axis orthogonal to the vertical axis; and a plurality of air reservoirs coupled to the plurality of air pistons, wherein the length of each of the plurality of air pistons is adjusted in response to air pressure within each respective air reservoir and deviations in the length of each of the plurality of air pistons is substantially absorbed by elastic movement of each respective air reservoir. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
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9. A method of providing suspension, comprising:
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adaptively maintaining a position of an object between a minimum and a maximum distance in a first direction; rotationally actuating a shock absorbing device to dampen movement of the object between the minimum and the maximum distance, wherein a direction of a range of stroke of the shock absorbing device is angled with respect to the first direction, and wherein rotationally actuating the shock absorbing device includes, statically programming a damper resistance of the shock absorbing device; rotating a right-angle gear drive in a second direction in response to an upward movement of the object; rotating the right-angle gear drive in a third direction in response to a downward movement of the object; moving a piston of the shock absorbing device in response to the rotational movement of the right-angle gear drive; and dampening movement of the piston in response to the statically programmed damper resistance; and pneumatically maintaining a position of the object along an axis orthogonal to the first direction. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification