Vehicle suspension with a dock height holding device
First Claim
1. A vehicle suspension assembly, comprising:
- a first support member attached to a body of the vehicle;
a second support member that moves relative to the first support member;
at least one air spring coupled with the first and second support members; and
a height holding device at least partially within the air spring and supported on one of the support members, the height holding device having a moveable portion that is moveable from a first position where the moveable portion permits relative movement between the support members into a second position where the moveable portion maintains a desired spacing between the support members.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle suspension assembly includes a height holding device that is at least partially supported within an air spring of the suspension assembly. The height holding device includes a hydraulic ram. A moveable portion of the hydraulic ram moves between a first position where a minimum clearance is maintained between suspension components and a second position where a larger clearance is maintained between the suspension components. The height holding device moves into the second position to maintain a desired height of the truck or trailer bed during loading and unloading operations at a loading dock, for example. The height holding device allows for the suspension air springs to be evacuated of air pressure during loading or unloading conditions without a change in deck height.
6 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A vehicle suspension assembly, comprising:
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a first support member attached to a body of the vehicle;
a second support member that moves relative to the first support member;
at least one air spring coupled with the first and second support members; and
a height holding device at least partially within the air spring and supported on one of the support members, the height holding device having a moveable portion that is moveable from a first position where the moveable portion permits relative movement between the support members into a second position where the moveable portion maintains a desired spacing between the support members. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An air spring assembly for use in a vehicle suspension system, comprising:
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a bead plate supported on a portion of the suspension system that remains stationary relative to the vehicle body;
a retainer plate supported on a portion of the suspension system that is moveable relative to the stationary portion;
a bellows that extends between the bead plate and the retainer plate, the bellows containing a selected air pressure to provide a desired amount of damping of movement of the moveable suspension portion relative to the stationary portion; and
a height holding device at least partially within the bellows and at least partially supported on one of the bead plate or the retainer plate, the height holding device having a moveable portion that is moveable from a first position where there is clearance between the moveable portion and the other of the bead plate or the retainer plate and a second position where the moveable portion contacts the other of the bead plate or the retainer plate. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of controlling the height of a bed on a vehicle that includes at least one air spring as part of a suspension assembly on the vehicle, comprising:
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(A) placing a height holding device at least partially within the air spring;
(B) determining when a parking brake is applied;
(C) actuating the height holding device to move into a position to maintain a current height of the vehicle bed when the parking brake is applied. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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Specification