US3720425A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process and apparatus for the adjustment of the height of the chassis of a wheeled vehicle
Assignee: Aisin Corp
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Filing: 1970-08-04
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Granted: 1973-03-13
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Expires: 1990-08-04
Abstract
Abstract A pneumatic and hydraulic suspension device for vehicles is provided with a working cylinder having a plurality of communication or chassis level adjusting openings extending therethrough at different positions along the length thereof. A piston member is slidably received within the working cylinder to define two variable volume chambers on opposite sides thereof. Valve means are provided for controlling fluid communication between the two chambers the chassis level adjusting openings whereby the chassis height may be selectively adjusted through the automatic or manual control of the valve means.
Inventors
- 👤 T Asano
- 👤 N Sakakibara
- 👤 N Murakami
- 👤 T Akashi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 15:44
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60G; B60G17/00; B60G17/015; B60G17/0152; B60G17/02; B60G17/04; B60G17/044; B60G17/048
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
231 words
In a suspension mechanism for a vehicLe having a sprung mass and an unsprung mass, the improvement comprising: a main body selectively attached to either of said sprung mass and unsprung mass, a working cylinder rigid with said main body, fluid contained in said working cylinder, an elongated rod member attached to the remaining one of said sprung mass and unsprung mass, a piston formed integrally with said rod member and slidably received in said working cylinder, two working chambers of variable volumes formed in the interior of said working cylinder by said slidable piston, valve means operable in response to the sliding movement of said piston for controlling fluid communication from one of said two chambers to the other of said two chambers, a plurality of chassis-height adjusting openings formed through the wall of said working cylinder, each of said openings being spaced axially from each other on said cylinder for controlling the passage of fluid through said openings in response to the sliding movement of said piston, passage means adapted for communicating said two chambers with each other through said adjusting openings, and further valve means for selectively interrupting said passage means and a selected opening so that fluid in the other of said two chambers is returned to said one of said two chambers through one of said passage means and corresponding opening controlled by said slidable piston.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
231 words
In a suspension mechanism for a vehicLe having a sprung mass and an unsprung mass, the improvement comprising: a main body selectively attached to either of said sprung mass and unsprung mass, a working cylinder rigid with said main body, fluid contained in said working cylinder, an elongated rod member attached to the remaining one of said sprung mass and unsprung mass, a piston formed integrally with said rod member and slidably received in said working cylinder, two working chambers of variable volumes formed in the interior of said working cylinder by said slidable piston, valve means operable in response to the sliding movement of said piston for controlling fluid communication from one of said two chambers to the other of said two chambers, a plurality of chassis-height adjusting openings formed through the wall of said working cylinder, each of said openings being spaced axially from each other on said cylinder for controlling the passage of fluid through said openings in response to the sliding movement of said piston, passage means adapted for communicating said two chambers with each other through said adjusting openings, and further valve means for selectively interrupting said passage means and a selected opening so that fluid in the other of said two chambers is returned to said one of said two chambers through one of said passage means and corresponding opening controlled by said slidable piston.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
231 words
In a suspension mechanism for a vehicLe having a sprung mass and an unsprung mass, the improvement comprising: a main body selectively attached to either of said sprung mass and unsprung mass, a working cylinder rigid with said main body, fluid contained in said working cylinder, an elongated rod member attached to the remaining one of said sprung mass and unsprung mass, a piston formed integrally with said rod member and slidably received in said working cylinder, two working chambers of variable volumes formed in the interior of said working cylinder by said slidable piston, valve means operable in response to the sliding movement of said piston for controlling fluid communication from one of said two chambers to the other of said two chambers, a plurality of chassis-height adjusting openings formed through the wall of said working cylinder, each of said openings being spaced axially from each other on said cylinder for controlling the passage of fluid through said openings in response to the sliding movement of said piston, passage means adapted for communicating said two chambers with each other through said adjusting openings, and further valve means for selectively interrupting said passage means and a selected opening so that fluid in the other of said two chambers is returned to said one of said two chambers through one of said passage means and corresponding opening controlled by said slidable piston.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
231 words
In a suspension mechanism for a vehicLe having a sprung mass and an unsprung mass, the improvement comprising: a main body selectively attached to either of said sprung mass and unsprung mass, a working cylinder rigid with said main body, fluid contained in said working cylinder, an elongated rod member attached to the remaining one of said sprung mass and unsprung mass, a piston formed integrally with said rod member and slidably received in said working cylinder, two working chambers of variable volumes formed in the interior of said working cylinder by said slidable piston, valve means operable in response to the sliding movement of said piston for controlling fluid communication from one of said two chambers to the other of said two chambers, a plurality of chassis-height adjusting openings formed through the wall of said working cylinder, each of said openings being spaced axially from each other on said cylinder for controlling the passage of fluid through said openings in response to the sliding movement of said piston, passage means adapted for communicating said two chambers with each other through said adjusting openings, and further valve means for selectively interrupting said passage means and a selected opening so that fluid in the other of said two chambers is returned to said one of said two chambers through one of said passage means and corresponding opening controlled by said slidable piston.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
Suspension mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein said valve means adapted for selective interruption of said passage means is of manually controlable type.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
Suspension mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein said valve means adapted for selective interruption of said passage means is of such type that it is actuated automatically in response to the traveling conditions of said vehicle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
Suspension mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein respective passage means adapted for fluid connection between said two chambers through said opening means are fitted with selective valve means in parallel to each other for selective interruption of respective passage means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
Suspension mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of valve means are connected in series one after another in said passage means for performing selective connection between said two chambers through respective passage means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
79 words
A suspension mechanism as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a plunger received in a cavity formed in said rod member to define a pumping chamber, said valve means adapted for operation in response to the sliding movement of said piston comprising a first valve for controlling fluid communication between said one of said two chamber and said pumping chamber and a second valve for controlling fluid communication between said pumping chamber and the other of said two chambers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
Suspension mechanism as claimed in claim 2, wherein said valve means are solenoid valves operatable by actuation of respective solenoids which are energized and de-energized by on-off operation of switch means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
Suspension mechanism as claimed in claim 3, wherein said valve means is automatically actuated by an instruction signal which is delivered in response to the occasional vehicle speed.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
Suspension mechanism as claimed in claim 3, wherein said valve means is actuated automatically by an instruction signal sensed in response to the amplitude and the vibrations of the vehicle unsprung mass.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
Suspension mechanism as claimed in claim 8, wherein said instruction signal is a liquid signal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
Suspension mechanism as claimed in claim 10, wherein said liquid signal is delivered from a hydraulic governor unit.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
Suspension mechanism as claimed in claim 8, wherein said instruction signal is an electrical signal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
39 words
Suspension mechanism as claimed in claim 12, wherein said electrical signal is delivered from a generator and in the form of induced voltage therein, said generator being coupled mechanically with a propeller shaft or the like of said vehicle.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
Suspension mechanism as Claimed in claim 12, wherein said electrical signal is delivered from a pulse generator.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
Suspension mechanism as claimed in claim 9, wherein said instruction signal sensed in response to the amplitude and number of oscillations is an electrical signal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-03-12 | 1976-09-11 | 1977-03-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-12 | 1980-09-11 | 1981-03-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-12 | 1984-09-11 | 1985-03-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |