Controlled equilibrium device with displacement dependent spring rates and integral damping
US6695294B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 20, 2001 |
| Grant date | Feb 24, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 20, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60G2600/02
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A controlled equilibrium device comprising a housing; at least one spring, each at least one spring having a spring stiffness; and a load leveling device movable through the housing between a first maximum displacement position and a second maximum displacement position, the load leveling device comprising a deadband displacement zone defined between a first deadband displacement threshold and a second deadband displacement threshold, the displacement required to reach the first and second deadband displacement thresholds being less than the displacement distances required to reach the first and second maximum displacement positions, the at least one spring stiffness being substantially constant when the displacement of the load leveling device is within the deadband zone, the stiffness of the at least one spring being modified to a second stiffness when the load leveling device is equal to or beyond either the first deadband displacement threshold or the second deadband displacement threshold.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.