US3666286A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic levelling arrangement for vehicles
Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
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Filing: 1970-08-19
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Granted: 1972-05-30
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Expires: 1990-08-19
Abstract
Abstract Switching arrangements, either mechanical or electrical, are controlled by the vehicle body level to cause operation of means, such as electromagnetically operated valves, for supplying fluid to, or withdrawing fluid from, fluid pressure leveler, in dependence on whether the body falls below, or rises above, the desired level. The switches for one leveler of an axle are connected to the switches of the other leveler of the same axle.
Inventors
- 👤 Ortwin Engfer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 14:59
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60G; B60G13/00; B60G17/00; B60G17/015
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
259 words
A level regulator for a vehicle having a body and at least coaxial wheel units, comprising, in combination, at least two independent fluid pressure levelers, one for each wheel unit; electrically controlled supply means and electrically controlled discharge means for each of said levelers, whereby the body can be raised and lowered to regulate the level thereof in response to load; a first switch pair for one of said levelers and a second switch pair for the other of said levelers, said first switch pair having first and second switch means respectively connected to said supply means and said discharge means of said one leveler, and said second switch pair comprising third and fourth switch means respectively connected to said supply means and said discharge means of said other leveler, said first and third switch means being operated when the body level decreases and said second and fourth switch means being operated when the body level increases; a current source for said supply means and said discharge means connected to said first and second switch pair, whereby said switch means thereof respectively control current flow to said supply means and said discharge means; conductor means for so electrically interconnecting said first and second switch pair that current from said current source for said supply means of said one leveler can flow only when said discharge means of said other leveler are inactive and current from said current source for said supply means of said other leveler can flow only when the discharge means of said one leveler are inactive.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
259 words
A level regulator for a vehicle having a body and at least coaxial wheel units, comprising, in combination, at least two independent fluid pressure levelers, one for each wheel unit; electrically controlled supply means and electrically controlled discharge means for each of said levelers, whereby the body can be raised and lowered to regulate the level thereof in response to load; a first switch pair for one of said levelers and a second switch pair for the other of said levelers, said first switch pair having first and second switch means respectively connected to said supply means and said discharge means of said one leveler, and said second switch pair comprising third and fourth switch means respectively connected to said supply means and said discharge means of said other leveler, said first and third switch means being operated when the body level decreases and said second and fourth switch means being operated when the body level increases; a current source for said supply means and said discharge means connected to said first and second switch pair, whereby said switch means thereof respectively control current flow to said supply means and said discharge means; conductor means for so electrically interconnecting said first and second switch pair that current from said current source for said supply means of said one leveler can flow only when said discharge means of said other leveler are inactive and current from said current source for said supply means of said other leveler can flow only when the discharge means of said one leveler are inactive.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
69 words
A level regulator as defined in claim 1, wherein said conductor means so electrically interconnects said first and second switch pair that current from said current source for said supply means of said one leveler flows through at least part of said fourth switch means and current from said current source for said supply means of said other leveler flows through at least part of said second switch means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A level regulator as defined in claim 1, wherein said levelers are hydraulic, and including common pump means therefor, and respective electromagnetic valve means comprised by each said supply means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A level regulator as defined in claim 3, including respective electromagnetic valve means comprised by each said discharge means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
86 words
A level regulator as defined in claim 1, wherein said levelers are hydraulic and each said discharge means comprise a respective electromagnetic valve means, and each said supply means comprise a respective electric motor pump means, and wherein said conductor means so electrically interconnects said first and second switch pair that current from said electric motor pump means of said one leveler flows through said fourth switch means and current for said electric motor pump means of said other leveler flows through said second switch means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
80 words
A level regulator as defined in claim 5, wherein each of said switch means comprise a common contact, a rest contact, and a make contact, and wherein said make contacts of said first and second switch means are respectively connected to said motor pump means and said valve means of said one leveler and said make contacts of said third and fourth switch means are respectively connected to said motor pump means and said valve means of said other leveler.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
A level regulator as defined in claim 1, including electronic damping means comprising a plurality of transistors and connected between said switch means, on the one hand, and said supply means and said discharge means, on the other.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A level regulator as defined in claim 7, wherein said electric damping means include adjusting means for obtaining equal damping times for each said shock absorber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
A level regulator as defined in claim 7, wherein said switch means are electronic, and including logic circuit means comprising said switch means and connected to said electronic damping means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
A level regulator as defined in claim 7, wherein said switch means are mechanical, and said conductor means include logic circuit means for controlling the flow of current to said electronic damping means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
A level regulator as defined in claim 9, including inductive means for sensing the level of the vehicle body as a function of change in inductive reactance with change in vehicle body level.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
66 words
A level regulator as defined in claim 11, including frequency generating means connected to said inductive means for producing an output from said inductive means in dependence on the inductive reactance thereof; rectifier means for rectifying the output of said inductive means; and Schmitt trigger means connected to be operated by the output of said rectifier means for controlling the operation of said logic circuit means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
A level regulator as defined in claim 12, including means connected to said rectifier means for continuously varying the desired level of a vehicle body above the road surface.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3124368A
Cited
US3061330A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-05-30 | 1975-11-29 | 1976-05-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-30 | 1979-11-29 | 1980-05-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-30 | 1983-11-29 | 1984-05-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |