Tilt control apparatus for vehicles

• US 5,971,115 A
• Filed: 09/03/1998
• Issued: 10/26/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cloud Farm Associates LP
• Original Assignee: Cloud Farm Associates LP
• Inventors: Smith, S. Gregory
• Primary Examiner(s): Butler, Douglas C.
• Application Number:
  US09/148,090
• Time in Patent Office: 418 Days
• Field of Search: 188/266.1, 188/266.2, 188/266.3, 188/266.4, 188/266.5, 188/266.6, 188/280, 188/282.1, 188/282.2, 188/282.8, 188/300, 188/322.13, 188/322.14 , 188/322.22, 188/316, 188/298, 188/275, 188/314, 188/315, 188/313, 188/299.1, 267/64.12, 267/64.15, 267/183-194, 267/221-226, 701/38, 280/5.508, 280/5.502, 280/5.506, 280/124.104, 280/124.106, 280/5.507, 280/124.105, 280/5.51, 280/6.159, 280/124.102, 280/124.161 , 280/124.159, 280/6.154, 280/124.112, 280/104, 280/5.509, 280/6.158
• US Class Current: 188/266.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/005 Suspension locking arrangements for retractable wheels B62D61/12
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/01908 Acceleration or inclination sensors characterised by the use of gyroscopes B60G21/08
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/04 fluid spring characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/11 Mounting of sensors thereon
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/113 Tyre related sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/114 Steering column mounted sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/115 Wheel hub bearing sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/104 lateral or transversal with regard to vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/40 Steering conditions
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/412 of steering wheel or column
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2401/144 Fiber optic sensor
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2401/20 Switches, e.g. mercury or ball type switches
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2600/20 Manual control or setting means
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/702 Improving accuracy of a sensor signal
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 9/06 using both gas and liquid F16F9/486 take precedence; self-pumping fluid springs B60G17/044
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 9/34 Special valve constructions F16F9/44, F16F9/50 take precedence; filtering details F16F9/3285 ; valves in general F16K; Shape or construction of throttling passages
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 9/46 allowing control from a distance , i.e. location of means for control input being remote from site of valves, e.g. on damper external wall attachment of valve units to cylinders F16F9/325
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 9/512 Means responsive to load action, i.e. static load on the damper or dynamic fluid pressure changes in the damper, e.g. due to changes in velocity F16F9/504, F16F9/516 take precedence; non-automatic damper adjustment from a distance using servo control, the servo pressure being created by the flow of damping fluid F16F9/465; self-pumping fluid springs in vehicle suspensions B60G17/044

Abstract

A shock-absorbing, tilt-controlling system is disclosed where the shock-absorbing unit is mounted between the vehicle'"'"'s frame and axle and a tilt-controlling unit is mounted remotely from, but in communication with the shock-absorbing unit.

Claims

1. A shock-absorbing, tilt-controlling system for a vehicle having a transverse axle and a body that comprises, on at least one side of the vehicle, a first chamber having two ends, said chamber at least partially filled with hydraulic fluid;

a movable piston at one end of the chamber attached to said transverse axle;

the other end of said first chamber being attached to said body of said vehicle, said other end of said chamber having an opening through which fluid can flow;

a second chamber at least partially filled with hydraulic fluid, having bottom and top ends, remotely mounted from said first chamber;

an opening in the bottom end of said second chamber;

means for communicating between the openings in said first and second chambers and, within which means, hydraulic fluid is moved from said first chamber to said second chamber;

a lockplate mounted within and attached to the walls of said second chamber, said lockplate having at least one opening separating the fluid within said second chamber into two portions;

a movable sealing means within said second chamber which, when activated, seals the at least one opening in said lockplate;

means for moving the sealing means to seal the opening in said lockplate;

means for sensing the tilting movement of said vehicle, combined with the means for moving said sealing means to seal the opening when said sensing means is activated at a set tilt position of said body to prevent flow of said fluid from one portion of said chamber into the other portion of said chamber and thus prevent further movement of said piston in said first chamber and further tilting of said body of said vehicle.

2. A shock-absorbing, tilt-controlling system as in claim 1, wherein dampening means are placed in the first chamber.

3. A shock-absorbing, tilt-controlling system as in claim 2, wherein said dampening means are placed in the first chamber either above the piston or abetted to the upper surface of said piston.

4. A shock-absorbing, tilt controlling system as in claim 1, wherein a pressure relief valve is placed within the lockplate to permit fluid to flow through the lockplate at a pre-set pressure without de-activating the sensing means that has been activated to prevent fluid flow through said at least one opening at a said pre-set tilt position of said body, to moderate the movement of said piston and the tilting of said body.

5. A shock-absorbing, tilt-controlling system for a vehicle having a transverse axle and a body that comprises, on at least one side of the vehicle, a first chamber having two ends, said chamber at least partially filled with hydraulic fluid;

a movable piston at one end of the chamber attached to said transverse axle;

the other end of said first chamber being attached to said body of said vehicle, said other end of said chamber having an opening through which fluid can flow;

a second chamber at least partially filled with hydraulic fluid having bottom and top ends, remotely mounted from said first chamber;

a floating piston within said second chamber separating a compressible gas in the upper, closed end of said second chamber from said hydraulic fluid in said second chamber;

an opening in the bottom end of said second chamber;

means for communicating between the openings in said first and second chambers and, within which means, hydraulic fluid is moved from the said first chamber to the bottom surface of the floating piston in said second chamber;

a lockplate mounted within and attached to the inner walls of said second chamber, said lockplate having at least one opening separating the fluid within said chamber into two portions;

a movable sealing means within said second chamber which, when activated, seals the at least one opening in said plate;

means for moving the sealing means to seal the opening in said plate;

means for sensing the tilting movement of said vehicle, combined with the means for moving said sealing means to seal the opening when said sensing means is activated at a set tilt position of said body to prevent flow of said fluid from one portion of said chamber into the other portion of said chamber and thus prevent further movement of said piston in said first chamber and further tilting of said body of said vehicle.

6. A shock-absorbing, tilt-controlling system as in claim 5 wherein dampening means are placed in the first chamber.

7. A shock-absorbing, tilt-controlling system as in claim 6 wherein said dampening means are placed in the first chamber either above the piston or attached to the upper surface of said piston.

8. A shock-absorbing, tilt controlling system as in claim 5 wherein a pressure relief valve is placed within the lockplate to permit fluid to flow through the lockplate at a pre-set pressure without de-activating the sensing means that has been activated to prevent fluid flow through said at least one opening at said pre-set tilt position of said body to moderate the movement of said piston and the tilting of said body.