Vehicle suspension system with continuously adaptive shock absorption
US6164665A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 3, 1997 |
| Grant date | Dec 26, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 3, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60G2600/14
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A vehicle suspension system that varies its shock absorption maximize comfort when compatible with safe handling. Level sensors are positioned to determine the position and attitude of the body of the vehicle in relation to its axles. An electronic regulator controls adjustable air springs to maintain the desired position and orientation of the body. Each air spring can be filled from a compressed-air supply to raise the body, and the system can also bleed air off to lower the body. The electronic regulator also accepts a signal from a double-differentiation device that is connected to the output of one of the level sensors. This signal is a measure of the acceleration of the body, and it is used to compute a bad-road parameter. The bad-road parameter also depends on the change in acceleration that occurs between successive measurements. The electronic regulator calculates a body-shock absorption requirement from the outputs of the level sensors and then uses the bad-road parameter to compute the total shock absorption required from the variable shock absorbers. On a bad road, when the body shock absorption is low, the total shock absorption is increased to provide better handling.…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.