Method and apparatus for an adaptive suspension support system

• US 8,424,832 B2
• Filed: 12/12/2006
• Issued: 04/23/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Suspension Systems Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Elliptical Mobile Solutions, LLC
• Inventors: Robbins, Jody G., Woodbury, William E. II, Boster, Scott A., Miskill, Mark J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Tan
• Application Number:
  US11/609,833
• Publication Number:
  US 20070235911A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,324 Days
• Field of Search: 248/550, 248/559, 248/562, 248/566, 248/618, 248/638, 248/636, 267/131, 267/136, 267/64.24, 267/140.11, 267/140.14, 267/140.15, 296/63, 296/190.7, 296/65.01, 296/65.02, 297/303.4, 188/267, 188/267.1, 188/267.2, 188/378, 188/379, 188/266.1, 180/167, 180/271, 180/272, 180/273, 280/734, 280/735, 318/466, 318/467, 701/37, 701/49
• US Class Current: 248/550
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 31/126 for chairs
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0224 Non-manual adjustments, e.g. with electrical operation
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/1665 Hydraulic or pneumatic actuation
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/231 by hydraulic actuators
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/501 actively controlled suspension, e.g. electronic control
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/502 attached to the base of the seat B60N2/504 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/505 Adjustable suspension including height adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/508 Scissors-like structure
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/522 characterised by dampening means
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/527 using liquids
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/544 Compression or tension springs B60N2/542 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/0619 with energy absorbing means specially adapted for mitigating impact loads for passenger seats, e.g. at a crash
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 15/02 Suppression of vibrations of non-rotating, e.g. reciprocating systems; Suppression of vibrations of rotating systems by use of members not moving with the rotating systems F16F15/005 takes precedence ; layered products B32B; suppression of vibration in ships B63; relieving load on bearings, using magnetic means F16C39/06
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 9/535 Magnetorheological [MR] fluid dampers springs comprising magnetorheological [MR] elastomers F16F1/361

Abstract

A method and apparatus for an adaptive, multi-axis suspension support system providing both coarse and fine suspension to a payload. Coarse suspension control is provided to maintain the payload within a coarse range of position. Fine suspension control is provided by monitoring and analyzing vibration characteristics in both time and frequency domains to determine the required amount of damper resistance to be exerted by a magnetorheological (MR) device.

Claims

1. An adaptive support system, comprising:

a payload;

a position sensing device to sense a position of the payload;

a coarse suspension device coupled to the payload, the coarse suspension device receiving a signal from the position sensing device to maintain a position of the payload within a first range of distance based on the signal, wherein the coarse suspension device includes one or more pneumatically controlled devices;

a fine suspension device coupled to the payload, the fine suspension device being adaptively programmed via a control signal to dampen movement of the payload within the first range of distance; and

a weight information device to provide weight information relating to the payload, wherein a damper resistance of the fine suspension device is adjusted in response to the weight information.

2. The adaptive support system of claim 1, wherein the payload includes a passenger seat of a vehicle.

3. The adaptive support system of claim 1, wherein the one or more pneumatically controlled devices have substantially equal inflation levels.

4. The adaptive support system of claim 1, wherein the one or more pneumatically controlled devices have substantially unequal inflation levels.

5. The adaptive support system of claim 1, wherein the damper resistance of the fine suspension device is adjusted in proportion to a weight of the payload.

6. The adaptive support system of claim 1, wherein the weight information device includes a rheostat.

7. The adaptive support system of claim 1, wherein the weight information device includes a weight sensing device.

8. The adaptive support system of claim 1, wherein the fine suspension device includes a magnetorheological device.