×

Vehicle suspension and pneumatic systems

  • US 9,145,038 B2
  • Filed: 08/31/2011
  • Issued: 09/29/2015
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2011
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A vehicle comprising:

  • a frame;

    two front wheels connected to the frame;

    two front suspension assemblies connecting the two front wheels to the frame;

    two rear wheels connected to the frame;

    two rear suspension assemblies connecting the two rear wheels to the frame,at least one of the two front and two rear suspension assemblies including an air spring;

    two seats connected to the frame, the two seats being disposed laterally beside each other;

    a steering device operatively connected to the two front wheels;

    an engine connected to the frame and operatively connected to at least one of the wheels;

    an air compressor connected to the frame, the air compressor being disposed under one of the two seats;

    an air inlet fluidly communicating with the air compressor for supplying air to the air compressor, the air inlet being disposed higher than the wheels;

    at least one air spring valve selectively fluidly communicating the air compressor with the at least one air spring for supplying air to the at least one air spring;

    an auxiliary air output supported by the frame;

    an auxiliary valve selectively fluidly communicating the auxiliary air output with the air compressor for selectively supplying air from the air compressor to a device other than the at least one air spring;

    a control unit electrically connected to the air compressor for controlling an operation of the air compressor and electrically connected to the at least one air spring valve and the auxiliary valve for controlling positions of the valves; and

    a vehicle condition sensor electrically connected to the control unit, the vehicle condition sensor sensing an operating condition of the vehicle, the control unit only opening the auxiliary valve to fluidly communicate the auxiliary air output with the air compressor when a predetermined operating condition of the vehicle is sensed by the vehicle condition sensor.

View all claims
  • 5 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×