Axle lift assembly

• US 8,695,998 B1
• Filed: 08/14/2013
• Issued: 04/15/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Saf-Holland Incorporated (SAF-HOLLAND SE)
• Original Assignee: Saf-Holland Incorporated (SAF-HOLLAND SE)
• Inventors: Karel, Jonathon, Hicks, William, Greer, Gary
• Primary Examiner(s): Fleming, Faye M.
• Application Number:
  US13/966,789
• Time in Patent Office: 244 Days
• Field of Search: 280/86.5, 280/124.116, 280/124.157, 280/124.16, 280/6.157, 280/6.519, 280/5.514, 180/24.02, 180/209
• US Class Current: 280/86.5
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 11/27 wherein the fluid is a gas
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 11/28 characterised by means specially adapted for attaching the spring to axle or sprung part of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/0155 pneumatic unit
• 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 17/018 characterised by the use of a specific signal treatment or control method
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2200/31 with two trailing arms rigidly connected to the axle
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2202/152 Pneumatic spring
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/126 Mounting of pneumatic springs
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/143 on the vehicle body or chassis
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/43 Fittings, brackets or knuckles
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/4302 for fixing suspension arm on the vehicle body or chassis
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/4702 pneumatically
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2206/601 Hanger bracket
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/204 Vehicle speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/30 Propulsion unit conditions
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/51222 Pneumatic
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/52 in tyre
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/90 Other conditions or factors
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 5/00 Resilient suspensions for a set of tandem wheels or axles having interrelated movements
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 7/02 Attaching arms to sprung part of vehicle B60G7/006 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 61/12 : with variable number of ground engaging wheels, e.g. with some wheels arranged higher than others, or with retractable wheels for manoeuvring purposes only B60S
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 61/125 : the retractable wheel being a part of a set of tandem wheels resilient suspension for a single set of tandem wheels B60G5/00

Abstract

An axle lift assembly includes a beam slidably coupled with and extending on a longitudinal extent of a vehicle frame. A trailing arm has a first end pivotably coupled with the beam. An axle is rotatably coupled with an intermediate portion of the trailing arm. An air spring is disposed between a second end of the trailing arm and the beam for absorbing an upward force from the axle. A support bracket extends down from the beam proximate the first end of the trailing arm. A pneumatic actuator is disposed between the support bracket and the trailing arm for raising the axle from a deployed position to a retracted position that substantially eliminates the upward force on the air spring from the axle.

Claims

1. An axle lift assembly, comprising:

a vehicle frame;

a beam slidably coupled with a longitudinal extent of the vehicle frame,

an arm having a first end pivotably coupled proximate the beam, a second end, and an intermediate portion there between;

an axle rotatably coupled with the intermediate portion of the arm;

an air spring disposed between the second end of the arm and the beam for receiving an upward force from a wheel on the axle contacting a ground surface;

a support bracket extending down from the beam proximate the first end of the arm;

a pneumatic actuator disposed between the support bracket and the arm for raising the axle from a ground engagement position to a lifted position that substantially eliminates the upward force on the air spring; and

a component for monitoring a condition indicative of a weight of a load carried by the vehicle frame, wherein the pneumatic actuator raises the axle to the lifted position when the component is indicative of the weight being less than a threshold weight.

2. The axle lift assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a locking assembly coupled with the beam for releasably engaging the vehicle frame to prevent the beam from sliding relative to the vehicle frame.

3. The axle lift assembly of claim 2, wherein the vehicle frame has a frame member longitudinally extending on the longitudinal extent of the vehicle frame and having a plurality of apertures spaced along the frame member, and wherein the locking assembly includes a retractable lug that selectively engages one of the plurality of apertures.

4. The axle lift assembly of claim 1, wherein the first end of the arm pivotably couples with an upper portion of the support bracket.

5. The axle lift assembly of claim 4, wherein the support bracket includes a lower portion having a platform longitudinally protruding toward the axle for supporting the pneumatic actuator.

6. The axle lift assembly of claim 1, wherein the component includes an air pressure sensor for monitoring an air pressure of a second air spring of a second axle.

7. The axle lift assembly of claim 1, wherein the component includes a tire pressure sensor for monitoring an air pressure of a second wheel on a second axle.

8. An axle lift assembly comprising:

a vehicle frame;

a beam slidably coupled with a longitudinal extent of the vehicle frame,

an arm having a first end pivotably coupled proximate the beam, a second end, and an intermediate portion there between;

an axle rotatably coupled with the intermediate portion of the arm;

an air spring disposed between the second end of the arm and the beam for receiving an upward force from a wheel on the axle contacting a ground surface;

a support bracket extending down from the beam proximate the first end of the arm;

a pneumatic actuator disposed between the support bracket and the arm for raising the axle from a ground engagement position to a lifted position that substantially eliminates the upward force on the air spring;

a second axle coupled with the beam forward or rearward from the axle; and

a second air spring disposed between the second axle and the beam, wherein the second air spring has a sensor for monitoring an air pressure of the second air spring, and wherein the pneumatic actuator raises the axle to the lifted position when the sensor senses the air pressure of the second air spring below a threshold level.

9. An axle lift assembly for a trailer, comprising:

a longitudinal beam adapted for slidably coupling with a frame member of the trailer;

a trailing arm having a first end pivotably coupled with the longitudinal beam, a second end, and an intermediate portion there between;

an axle rotatably coupled with the intermediate portion of the trailing arm;

an air spring disposed between the second end of the trailing arm and the longitudinal beam for receiving an upward force on the axle;

a support bracket extending down from the longitudinal beam proximate the first end of the trailing arm; and

a pneumatic actuator disposed between the support bracket and the trailing arm and adjustable from a deflated position to an inflated position that raises the axle toward the longitudinal beam a distance adapted to raise an associated tire on the axle away from a ground surface, wherein the support bracket includes an upper portion that pivotably couples with the first, end of the trailing arm, and wherein the support bracket includes a lower portion having a platform longitudinally protruding toward the axle for supporting the pneumatic actuator.

10. The axle lift assembly of claim 9, further comprising:

a locking assembly having a retractable lug coupled with the longitudinal beam for selectively engaging an aperture on the frame member to prevent the longitudinal beam from sliding relative to the frame member.

11. An axle lift assembly for a trailer, comprising:

a longitudinal beam adapted for slidably coupling with a frame member of the trailer;

a trailing arm having a first end pivotably coupled with the longitudinal beam, a second end, and an intermediate portion there between;

an axle rotatably coupled with the intermediate portion of the trailing arm;

an air spring disposed between the second end of the trailing arm and the longitudinal beam for receiving, an upward force on the axle;

a support bracket extending, down from the longitudinal beam proximate the first end of the trailing arm;

a pneumatic actuator disposed between the support bracket and the trailing arm and adjustable from a deflated position to an inflated position that raises the axle toward the longitudinal beam a distance adapted to raise an associated tire on the axle away from a ground surface;

a second axle rotatably coupled with the longitudinal beam and positioned parallel with and forward or rearward from the axle; and

a second air spring disposed between the second axle and the longitudinal beam and having a sensor for monitoring an air pressure of the second air spring, wherein the pneumatic actuator adjusts to the inflated position when the sensor senses the air pressure is below a threshold level.

12. The axle lift assembly of claim 11, further comprising:

a second tire coupled with the second axle;

a tire pressure sensor that monitors an air pressure of the second tire, wherein the pneumatic actuator adjusts to the deflated position when the air pressure of the second tire is outside an acceptable tire pressure range.

13. A vehicle, comprising:

a frame member;

a slide assembly coupled with the frame member;

a first axle assembly coupled with the slide assembly and including;

a trailing arm having a first end pivotably coupled with the slide assembly;

a first air spring coupled between the first end and a second end of the trailing arm;

a first axle rotatably coupled with the trailing arm;

a first wheel coupled with a distal end of the first axle and having a first tire for contacting a ground surface; and

a lift assembly coupled between the trailing arm and the slide assembly, wherein the lift assembly is actuatable between a ground engagement position allowing the first tire to contact the ground surface and a lifted position elevating the first tire away from the ground surface;

a second axle assembly including;

a second axle parallel with the first axle;

a second air spring coupled between the second axle and the frame member; and

a sensor for monitoring an air pressure of the second air spring, wherein the lift assembly moves between the ground engagement and lifted positions based on the air pressure of the second air spring, and wherein the slide assembly slidably adjusts the longitudinal position of at least the first axle assembly relative to the frame member.

14. The vehicle of claim 13, wherein the lift assembly moves to the lifted position when the air pressure of the second air spring is less than a threshold level.

15. The vehicle of claim 13, wherein the second axle assembly is longitudinally spaced on the frame member from the first axle assembly for supporting the frame member, and wherein the first axle assembly is forward the second axle assembly.

16. The vehicle of claim 13, wherein the second axle assembly includes a tire pressure sensor for monitoring an air pressure of a second tire coupled with the second axle, and wherein the lift assembly moves to the ground engagement position when the air pressure of the second tire is above a threshold level.

17. The vehicle of claim 13, wherein the lift assembly includes:

a support bracket extending down from the frame member proximate the first end of the trailing arm; and

a pneumatic actuator disposed between the support bracket and the trailing arm and inflatable to move the lift assembly from the ground engagement position to the lifted position.

18. The vehicle of claim 17, further comprising:

a locking assembly having a retractable lug coupled with the slide assembly for selectively engaging an aperture on the frame member to prevent the slide assembly from sliding relative to the frame member, wherein the slide assembly includes a beam slidably coupled with and extending on a longitudinal extent of the frame member, and wherein the first and second axle assemblies are coupled with the beam for adjusting the longitudinal position of the first and second axle assemblies relative to the frame member.