Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
50 words
A suspension system for the driver's compartment of a vehicle, characterised in that the system includes a plurality of suspension units (Ri-R4) which provide soft suspension characteristics for the driver's comfort, and means (E) for selectively stiffening their suspension characteristics in accordance with certain kinds of movement of the vehicle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
50 words
A suspension system for the driver's compartment of a vehicle, characterised in that the system includes a plurality of suspension units (Ri-R4) which provide soft suspension characteristics for the driver's comfort, and means (E) for selectively stiffening their suspension characteristics in accordance with certain kinds of movement of the vehicle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
A suspension system according to claim 1, characterised in that the kinds of movement include at least one of pitch, roll and bounce, the suspension units (R 1 -R 4 ) being stiffened selectively so as to counter the effect on the driver's compartment of the movement concerned.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
A suspension system according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that each suspension unit (R 1 -R 4 ) includes a volume of fluid (4), which is in communication with a spring body (7), from which the unit can be isolated to stiffen its suspension characteristics.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A suspension system according to claim 3, characterised in that the spring body (7) has a multi-stiffness function, so that it provides variable suspension characteristics for the system.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A suspension system according to claim 3 or claim 4, characterised in that each suspension unit (R 1 -R 4 ) includes a volume of gas (4), which is in communication with a gas spring (7).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
A suspension system according to claim 5, characterised in that all the suspension units (R I -R 4 ) are served by a single gas spring (7).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
A suspension system according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the means for selectively stiffening the suspension units (R 1 -R 4 ) comprises an electronic control system (E) responsive to the movements of the vehicle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A suspension system according to any preceding claim, characterised in that which the movements of the vehicle are sensed indirectly, by sensing functions which give rise to the movements.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
A suspension system according to claim 7 or claim 8, characterised in that the electronic control system (E) also-operates to maintain the ride height of the driver's compartment within certain limits.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
63 words
A suspension system according to claim 7, characterised in that each suspension unit (R I -R 4 ) includes a volume of gas (4), which is in communication with a gas spring (7), and the electronic control system (E) includes solenoid-operated valves (V 1 -V 4 ) for controlling communication between the units (R 1 -R 4 ) and the gas spring (7).