Suspension device and method for use with a vehicle

• US 8,209,087 B2
• Filed: 11/06/2008
• Issued: 06/26/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: BAE Systems Hã¤Gglunds AB (BAE Systems Plc)
• Original Assignee: BAE Systems Hã¤Gglunds AB (BAE Systems Plc)
• Inventors: Christensen, Assar, Hgglund, Henrik
• Primary Examiner(s): To, Toan
• Application Number:
  US12/291,355
• Publication Number:
  US 20090138157A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,328 Days
• Field of Search: 280/124.157, 280/124.158, 280/124.159, 280/5.506, 280/5.507, 280/5.508, 701/36, 701/37, 701/38
• US Class Current: 701/37
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 13/14 having dampers accumulating utilisable energy, e.g. compressing air fluid springs with an accumulator B60G11/30
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/005 Suspension locking arrangements for retractable wheels B62D61/12
• 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 17/0162 mainly during a motion involving steering operation, e.g. cornering, overtaking B60G17/0164 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/08 Characteristics of fluid dampers adjusting fluid dampers in general F16F9/44 - F16F9/53
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2202/154 with an accumulator
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2202/24 Fluid damper
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/4605 hydraulically, e.g. interrupting communication between the chambers of a hydraulic cylinder
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/62 Adjustable continuously, e.g. during driving
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2206/41 Dampers
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2300/07 Off-road vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/0511 Roll angle
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/104 lateral or transversal with regard to vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/204 Vehicle speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/41 Steering angle
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/63 Location of the center of gravity
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/821 Uneven, rough road sensing affecting vehicle body vibration
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2500/10 Damping action or damper
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2500/11 Damping valves
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2500/2062 by varying the air-pressure of the accumulator
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2600/18 : Automatic control means
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2600/184 : Semi-Active control means
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2600/70 : Computer memory; Data storage, e.g. maps for adaptive control
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/012 : Rolling condition
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/24 : Steering, cornering
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 9/065 : Expansion chamber provided on the upper or lower end of a damper, separately there from or laterally on the damper
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 9/56 : Means for adjusting the length of, or for locking, the spring or damper, e.g. at the end of the stroke F16F9/50 takes precedence; for telescopic gas springs or dampers F16F9/0245; vehicle suspension locking arrangements B60G17/005

Abstract

A suspension device has in- and out-configurations for use with a vehicle, including means for damping and/or spring action, the damping and/or spring action being controllable, wherein the controllability of the damping and/or spring action includes a locked or substantially locked state in the out-configuration. A method of using the suspension device with a vehicle is also provided.

Claims

1. A suspension device having in- and out-configurations for use with a vehicle, the suspension device comprising:

means for providing damping and/or spring action operable in a direction of compression and a direction of expansion, the damping and/or spring action being controllable to have at least a substantially locked state in the out-configuration in which the means for providing damping and/or spring action is operable in only one of the direction of compression or the direction of expansion.

2. The suspension device of claim 1, wherein the damping action is arranged to occupy the at least substantially locked state in the out-configuration such that the suspension device is semi-active.

3. The suspension device of claim 1, wherein the damping action is hydraulic.

4. The suspension device of claim 3, further comprising a valve configuration including a first valve for control in the out-configuration.

5. The suspension device of claim 4, wherein the valve configuration further includes a separate valve in the in-configuration.

6. The suspension device of claim 4, wherein the valve configuration further includes a throttle valve arranged in series with the first valve.

7. The suspension device of claim 1, further comprising at least one sensor for sensing the heeling of the vehicle, whereby the damping and/or spring action is arranged to be substantially locked in the out-configuration in response to the heeling.

8. The suspension device of claim 7, wherein the at least one sensor includes a member for sensing the lateral acceleration of the vehicle.

9. The suspension device of claim 7, wherein the at least one sensor includes a member for sensing the inclination of the vehicle relative to the horizontal plane of the vehicle.

14. A vehicle including the suspension device of claim 1.

10. A method of using a suspension device having in- and out-configurations for use with a vehicle, the method comprising:

providing damping and/or spring action to the vehicle, the damping and/or spring action being operable in a direction of compression and a direction of expansion; and

controlling the damping and/or spring action by at least substantially locking the damping and/or spring action in the out-configuration such that the damping and/or spring action is operable in only one of the direction of compression or the direction of expansion.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

sensing the heeling of the vehicle; and

at least substantially locking the damping and/or spring action in the out-configuration in response to the heeling.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

sensing the lateral acceleration of the vehicle; and

at least substantially locking the damping and/or spring action in the out-configuration in response to the lateral acceleration.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

sensing the inclination of the vehicle relative to the horizontal plane of the vehicle; and

at least substantially locking the damping and/or spring action in the out configuration in response to the inclination.

15. A computer program comprising a program code for performing the method of claim 10.

16. A recording medium recorded with a computer program readable by a computer, the computer program including a program code for performing the method of claim 10.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein the controlling and locking steps are performed using a computer program including a program code.

18. A suspension device for use with a vehicle, the suspension device comprising:

a body movable in a retraction direction and in an extension direction; and

a valve mechanism having first and second conditions, the valve mechanism in the first condition permitting movement of the body in both the retraction direction and the extension direction, and the valve mechanism in the second condition permitting movement of the body in the retraction direction and substantially preventing movement of the body in the extension direction.

19. A method of controlling the suspension of a vehicle, the method comprising:

providing the vehicle with a suspension device having a body movable in a retraction direction and in an extension direction;

sensing a condition of the vehicle;

controlling the suspension device to permit movement of the body in both the retraction direction and the extension direction when the condition of the vehicle is a first condition; and

controlling the suspension device to permit movement of the body in the retraction direction while substantially preventing movement of the body in the extension direction when the condition of the vehicle is a second condition different from the first condition.