EP0080291A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Computer optimized adaptive suspension system having combined shock absorber/air spring unit
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1982-11-05
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2002-11-05
Abstract
Abstract A vehicle suspension system in which a computer controls damping and spring forces to optimize ride and handling characteristics under a wide range of driving conditions. A combined shock absorber/air spring unit is connected between the wheel and frame of a vehicle. The shock absorber includes a hydraulic sensor which provides signals to the computer which are representative of the position of the piston within the shock absorber. The computer utilizes these signals to control compression and rebound hydraulic pressure regulators to produce preprogrammed compression and rebound damping forces that will yield the desires ride and handling. The air spring may be connected in series with the shock absorber for compression and rebound along the same axis. Pressure sensors and air pressure inlet and outlet valves are connected to the computer for adjusting the pressure within the air spring to provide the desired spring rate.
Inventors
- 👤 Lonnie K. Woods
- 👤 James M. Hamilton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 15:41
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60G; B60G17/00; B60G17/015; B60G17/0152; B60G17/0155; B60G2202/00; B60G2202/10; B60G2202/15; B60G2202/152; B60G2202/20; B60G2202/24; B60G2400/00; B60G2400/25; B60G2400/252; B60G2400/50; B60G2400/51; B60G2400/512; B60G2400/5122; B60G2400/51222; B60G2500/00; B60G2500/10; B60G2500/20; B60G2500/22; B60G2500/30; B60G2600/00; B60G2600/18; B60G2600/182; B60G2600/22; B60G2600/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
184 words
A suspension system for a vehicle having a sprung portion including a frame and an unsprung portion including a wheel, comprising: a spring connected between the sprung and unsprung portions; a shock absorber connected between the sprung and unsprung portions and including a cylinder, a quantity of hydraulic fluid within the cylinder and a piston dividing the cylinder into-upper-and lower chambers; hydraulic sensors means in communication with the cylinder for generating first signals representative of the position of the piston within the cylinder; compression pressure regulator means for adjusting the pressure of the hydraulic fluid in the upper chamber during upward movement of the piston in response to second signals applied thereto; rebound pressure regulator-means for adjusting the pressure of the hydraulic fluid in the lower chamber during downward movement of the piston in response to third signals applied thereto; and control means for receiving the first signals from the -hydraulic sensor means and for generating-the second and third signals and applying them to the compression and rebound pressure regulator means to cause the shock absorber to provide predetermined compression and rebound damping forces.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
184 words
A suspension system for a vehicle having a sprung portion including a frame and an unsprung portion including a wheel, comprising: a spring connected between the sprung and unsprung portions; a shock absorber connected between the sprung and unsprung portions and including a cylinder, a quantity of hydraulic fluid within the cylinder and a piston dividing the cylinder into-upper-and lower chambers; hydraulic sensors means in communication with the cylinder for generating first signals representative of the position of the piston within the cylinder; compression pressure regulator means for adjusting the pressure of the hydraulic fluid in the upper chamber during upward movement of the piston in response to second signals applied thereto; rebound pressure regulator-means for adjusting the pressure of the hydraulic fluid in the lower chamber during downward movement of the piston in response to third signals applied thereto; and control means for receiving the first signals from the -hydraulic sensor means and for generating-the second and third signals and applying them to the compression and rebound pressure regulator means to cause the shock absorber to provide predetermined compression and rebound damping forces.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
145 words
A suspension system according to Claim 1, wherein the spring is an air spring and the system further comprises: a source of pressurized air; air pressure inlet regulator means coupled between the pressurized air source and the air spring for adjusting the air pressure within the air spring in response to fourth signals applied thereto; air pressure outlet regulator means coupled between the air spring and the atmosphere for adjusting the air pressure within the air spring in response to fifth signals applied thereto; air pressure sensor means for providing sixth signals representative of the air pressure within the air spring; and control means for receiving the sixth signals from the air pressure sensor means and for generating the fourth and fifth signals and applying them to the air pressure inlet and outlet regulator means for causing the air spring to provide predetermined spring forces.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A suspension system according to Claims 1 or 2, wherein the control means includes a microprocessor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A suspension system according to Claim 1 wherein the shock absorber and the spring are connected in series so that they compress and rebound along the same axis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A suspension system according to Claim I, wherein: the spring is an air spring; and the shock absorber is surrounded by an airtight housing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
76 words
A suspension system according to Claim 5 wherein: the hydraulic sensor means is mounted within the housing and includes a second piston having one side surface acted upon by the hydraulic fluid and a second side surface acted upon by--the air within the housing;-- . transducer means operatively coupled with the second piston for generating the first signals; and means are provided for varying the pressure of the air within the housing to enable load leveling.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
68 words
A suspension system according to Claim 1 and further comprising: compression amplifying valve means subdividing the upper chamber of the shock absorber cylinder into first and second portions for generating a hydraulic fluid pressure in the second chamber portion which is proportional to a hydraulic fluid pressure generated in the first chamber portion by the compression pressure regulator means and also for providing a predetermined threshold blow-off pressure.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
A suspension system according to Claim 1 and further comprising means for resiliently mounting the piston on one end of a piston rod which reciprocates within the shock absorber cylinder.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
71 words
A suspension system according to Claim 1 wherein the shock absorber includes: a hydraulic fluid reservoir which communicates with the chambers through the compression and rebound pressure regulator means; and check valve means for permitting the hydraulic fluid to flow freely from the reservoir into the one of the upper and lower chambers wherein the pressure of hydraulic fluid is lower than the other one of the upper and lower chambers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
A suspension system according to Claim 2 - wherein each regulator means includes a linear servo solenoid actuated valve that opens in response to a predetermined threshold pressure determined by the signals applied to the solenoid.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
105 words
A suspension unit for connecting a sprung portion of a vehicle with an unsprung portion, comprising: a hydraulic shock absorber; an air spring connected in series with the shock absorber so that they compress and rebound along the same axis; an airtight housing surrounding the shock absorber and having a vent which communicates with the interior of the air spring; air pressure regulator means mounted within the housing and connectable to a source of pressurized air.for adjusting the air pressure within the air spring; and hydraulic fluid regulator means mounted within the housing for adjusting the compression and rebound damping forces of the shock absorber.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
105 words
A suspension unit for connecting a sprung portion of a vehicle with an unsprung portion, comprising: a hydraulic shock absorber; an air spring connected in series with the shock absorber so that they compress and rebound along the same axis; an airtight housing surrounding the shock absorber and having a vent which communicates with the interior of the air spring; air pressure regulator means mounted within the housing and connectable to a source of pressurized air.for adjusting the air pressure within the air spring; and hydraulic fluid regulator means mounted within the housing for adjusting the compression and rebound damping forces of the shock absorber.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
A suspension system according to Claim 11 wherein the air spring includes a resilient bump stop.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
125 words
A shock absorber system comprising: a cylinder; a piston reciprocable within the cylinder on the end of a rod defining compression-and rebound chambers; valve means for controlling hydraulic fluid flow between the chambers including first stage valving in the piston for controlling hydraulic fluid flow back and forth between the chambers, a first conduit connected to the compression chamber, a second conduit connected to the rebound chamber, and a solenoid valve connecting the first and second conduits; and control circuit means connected to the solenoid valve for normally keeping the solenoid valve closed and for permitting hydraulic fluid to flow from the compression chamber to the rebound chamber through the conduits when a selected hydraulic fluid threshold blow-off pressure is generated in the compression chamber.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
125 words
A shock absorber system comprising: a cylinder; a piston reciprocable within the cylinder on the end of a rod defining compression-and rebound chambers; valve means for controlling hydraulic fluid flow between the chambers including first stage valving in the piston for controlling hydraulic fluid flow back and forth between the chambers, a first conduit connected to the compression chamber, a second conduit connected to the rebound chamber, and a solenoid valve connecting the first and second conduits; and control circuit means connected to the solenoid valve for normally keeping the solenoid valve closed and for permitting hydraulic fluid to flow from the compression chamber to the rebound chamber through the conduits when a selected hydraulic fluid threshold blow-off pressure is generated in the compression chamber.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
87 words
A shock absorber system comprising: a damping chamber including a quantity of hydraulic fluid and a piston dividing the chamber into first and second portions; hydraulic sensor means in communication with the chamber for sensing the position of the piston within the chamber; and hydraulic fluid regulator means for adjusting the pressure of the hydraulic fluid in the first and second chamber portions responsive to movement of the piston within the chamber whereby the compression and rebound damping forces of the shock absorber system may be controlled.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
87 words
A shock absorber system comprising: a damping chamber including a quantity of hydraulic fluid and a piston dividing the chamber into first and second portions; hydraulic sensor means in communication with the chamber for sensing the position of the piston within the chamber; and hydraulic fluid regulator means for adjusting the pressure of the hydraulic fluid in the first and second chamber portions responsive to movement of the piston within the chamber whereby the compression and rebound damping forces of the shock absorber system may be controlled.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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