Vehicle suspension and pneumatic systems
First Claim
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;
at least one rear wheel connected to the frame;
at least one rear suspension assembly connecting the at least one rear wheel to the frame, at least one of the two front and at least one rear suspension assemblies including an air spring;
a seat connected to the frame;
a steering assembly 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 and fluidly communicating with the at least one air spring for selectively supplying air to the at least one air spring,during operation of the air compressor to supply air to the at least one air spring, the air compressor drawing air from the atmosphere and simultaneously supplying the air to the at least one air spring;
a control unit electrically connected to the air compressor for controlling an operation of the air compressor;
an auxiliary air output fluidly communicating with the air compressor for selectively supplying air from the air compressor to a device other than the at least one air spring; and
a valve selectively fluidly communicating the at least one air spring with an outlet to the atmosphere for releasing air from the at least one air spring, the control unit being electrically connected to the valve for controlling a position of the valve.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle has a frame, at least one front wheel connected to the frame, at least one front suspension assembly connecting the at least one front wheel to the frame, at least one rear wheel connected to the frame, and at least one rear suspension assembly connecting the at least one rear wheel to the frame. At least one of the at least one front and at least one rear suspension assemblies includes an air spring. A seat is connected to the frame. An engine is connected to the frame and is operatively connected to at least one of the wheels. An air compressor is connected to the frame and fluidly communicates with the at least one air spring for supplying air to the at least one air spring. A control unit is electrically connected to the air compressor for controlling an operation of the air compressor.
37 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A vehicle comprising:
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a frame; two front wheels connected to the frame; two front suspension assemblies connecting the two front wheels to the frame; at least one rear wheel connected to the frame; at least one rear suspension assembly connecting the at least one rear wheel to the frame, at least one of the two front and at least one rear suspension assemblies including an air spring; a seat connected to the frame; a steering assembly 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 and fluidly communicating with the at least one air spring for selectively supplying air to the at least one air spring, during operation of the air compressor to supply air to the at least one air spring, the air compressor drawing air from the atmosphere and simultaneously supplying the air to the at least one air spring; a control unit electrically connected to the air compressor for controlling an operation of the air compressor; an auxiliary air output fluidly communicating with the air compressor for selectively supplying air from the air compressor to a device other than the at least one air spring; and a valve selectively fluidly communicating the at least one air spring with an outlet to the atmosphere for releasing air from the at least one air spring, the control unit being electrically connected to the valve for controlling a position of the valve. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A vehicle comprising:
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a frame; a first wheel connected to the frame; a first suspension assembly connecting the first wheel to the frame, the first suspension assembly including a first air spring; a second wheel connected to the frame; a second suspension assembly connecting the second wheel to the frame, the second suspension assembly including a second air spring; at least one third wheel connected to the frame; at least one third suspension assembly connecting the at least one third wheel to the frame, the first wheel, the first suspension assembly, the second wheel, and the second suspension assembly being disposed at one end of the frame, and the at least one third wheel and the at least one third suspension assembly being disposed at an opposite end of the frame; a seat connected to the frame; a steering assembly operatively connected to at least one of the wheels; an engine connected to the frame and operatively connected to at least one of the wheels; an air compressor connected to the frame and fluidly communicating with the first and second air springs for selectively supplying air to the first and second air springs, the air compressor being located below the seat, during operation of the air compressor to supply air to the first and second air springs, the air compressor drawing air from the atmosphere and supplying the air to the first and second air springs; a first valve selectively fluidly communicating the air compressor with the first air spring; a second valve selectively fluidly communicating the air compressor with the second air spring; and a control unit electrically connected to the air compressor for controlling an operation of the air compressor and electrically connected to the first and second valves for controlling positions of the valves. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification