Active vehicle suspension system

• US 7,810,818 B2
• Filed: 11/29/2005
• Issued: 10/12/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ClearMotion Acquisition I LLC
• Original Assignee: Bose Corporation
• Inventors: Bushko, Dariusz Antoni
• Primary Examiner(s): Fleming; Faye M.
• Application Number:
  US11/289,838
• Publication Number:
  US 20070120333A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,778 Days
• Field of Search: 280/5.507, 280/5.508, 280/5.515, 280/124.106, 280/124.107, 280/124.145, 280/5.506
• US Class Current: 280/5.507
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/0157 non-fluid unit, e.g. electric motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2200/14 with lateral arms
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2202/422 Linear motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/202 of cables
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/416 Ball or spherical joints
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/418 Bearings, e.g. ball or roller bearings
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/421 Pivoted lever mechanisms for mounting suspension elements, e.g. Watt linkage
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/423 Rails, tubes, or the like, for guiding the movement of suspension elements
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 3/01 the wheel being mounted for sliding movement, e.g. in or on a vertical guide camber maintaining means B60G3/26
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 3/06 the arm being rigid

Abstract

An active suspension system for a vehicle includes an active suspension element that is substantially rigidly attached to a frame of the vehicle such that a motion of an armature of the active suspension element is mechanically decoupled from a lateral motion of a wheel of the vehicle. A control rod is attached between the active suspension element and the wheel of the vehicle.

Claims

1. An active suspension system for a vehicle comprising:

a linear electromagnetic actuator comprising a stator and an armature that is movable relative to the stator, the stator being substantially rigidly attached to a frame of the vehicle; and

a control rod having a first end that is attached to the armature and having a second end that is attached to a wheel of the vehicle such that a movement of the armature causes the wheel of the vehicle to move relative to the frame of the vehicle;

wherein the linear electromagnetic actuator is substantially mechanically decoupled from a lateral motion of the wheel of the vehicle.

2. The active suspension system of claim 1 further comprising a passive suspension element that is coupled between the frame of the vehicle and the wheel of the vehicle.

3. The active suspension system of claim 2 wherein the passive suspension element is chosen from the group comprising a spring and a damper.

4. The active suspension system of claim 1 wherein the linear electromagnetic actuator comprises a moving magnet electromagnetic actuator.

5. The active suspension system of claim 1 further comprising a passive suspension element that is coupled between a chassis of the vehicle and the wheel of the vehicle.

6. The active suspension system of claim 1 wherein the stator is attached to the frame of the vehicle through a bushing.

7. The active suspension system of claim 1 wherein the first end of the control rod is attached to the armature through a ball joint.

8. The active suspension system of claim 1 wherein the first end of the control rod is attached to the armature through a bushing.

9. The active suspension system of claim 1 wherein the movement of the armature causes the wheel of the vehicle to move in a substantially vertical direction relative to a horizontal plane of the vehicle.

10. The active suspension system of claim 1 wherein a ratio between a motion of the armature and a motion of the wheel is substantially one-to-one.

11. The active suspension system of claim 1 wherein a ratio between a motion of the armature and a motion of the wheel is less than one-to-one.

12. The active suspension system of claim 1 further comprising a sensor that is attached to one of the linear electromagnetic actuator, the frame, and the wheel.

13. The active suspension system of claim 12 wherein the sensor is integrated with the linear electromagnetic actuator.

14. An active suspension system for a vehicle comprising:

a linear electromagnetic actuator comprising a stator and an armature that is movable relative to the stator, the stator being substantially rigidly attached to a frame of the vehicle; and

a control rod having a first end that is attached to the armature and having a second end that is attached to a wheel of the vehicle such that a movement of the armature causes the wheel of the vehicle to move relative to the frame of the vehicle;

wherein the control rod comprises a bent portion.

15. A linear electromagnetic actuator for an active suspension system of a vehicle, the actuator comprising:

a stator;

an armature that is magnetically coupled to the stator;

a first bearing that is mechanically coupled to the armature, the first bearing maintaining an air gap between the armature and the stator; and

a second bearing that is mechanically coupled to the stator and substantially mechanically decoupled from the armature, the second bearing absorbing suspension related bending loads, thereby minimizing the suspension related bending loads on the armature.

16. The actuator of claim 15 wherein the stator comprises at least one coil.