US4655440A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for controlling vehicle spring firmness
Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
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Filing: 1985-02-12
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Granted: 1987-04-07
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Expires: 2005-02-12
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for controlling the spring firmness of a road vehicle is proposed, which is combined with a control of the shock absorber firmness. Both controls are preformed using a single control valve. Trigger signals for the control valve are ascertained by an electronic device, which receives its signals from sensors, disposed on the vehicle, for spring travel, acceleration, vehicle speed and steering angle or the like, and in particular for a travel sensor which picks up the shock absorber compression and emits it as a signal to the electronic device, whereby changes in spring stiffness are achieved.
Inventors
- 👤 Konrad Eckert
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 05:12
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16F; F16F9/00; F16F9/32; F16F9/44; F16F9/46; B; B60; B60G; B60G17/00; B60G17/015; B60G17/0152; B60G17/02; B60G17/04; B60G17/0416; F16F9/06; F16F9/08; F16F9/096; B60G2202/00; B60G2202/10; B60G2202/15; B60G2202/20; B60G2202/24; B60G2204/00; B60G2204/10; B60G2204/11; B60G2204/112; B60G2400/00; B60G2400/10; B60G2400/104; B60G2400/106; B60G2400/20; B60G2400/204; B60G2400/25; B60G2400/252; B60G2400/40; B60G2400/41; B60G2500/00; B60G2500/10; B60G2500/104; B60G2500/20; B60G2500/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
An apparatus for controlling a spring-type firmness of a road vehicle, comprising a hydraulic load bearing element, a hydraulic control slide valve having a damping cross section of selectable size, said hydraulic control valve arranged to simultaneously monitor a connection between two work chambers of said hydraulic load bearing element and first and second hydropneumatic reservoirs, said hydraulic load bearing element being capable of being expanded into a hydropneumatic spring including said first and second hydropneumatic reservoirs and switching means for selectively switching said control valve to switch fluid from said second hydropneumatic reservoir into or out of action relative to said first reservoir and said hydraulic load bearing element.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
110 words
An apparatus for controlling a spring-type firmness of a road vehicle, comprising a hydraulic load bearing element, a hydraulic control slide valve having a damping cross section of selectable size, said hydraulic control valve arranged to simultaneously monitor a connection between two work chambers of said hydraulic load bearing element and first and second hydropneumatic reservoirs, said hydraulic load bearing element being capable of being expanded into a hydropneumatic spring including said first and second hydropneumatic reservoirs and switching means for selectively switching said control valve to switch fluid from said second hydropneumatic reservoir into or out of action relative to said first reservoir and said hydraulic load bearing element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus as defined by claim 1, further wherein said control valve is a magnetic valve.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus as defined by claim 2, further wherein said control valve is a continuously operating valve.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
An apparatus as defined by claim 2, further wherein said control valve is arranged to receive input trigger signals from an electronic device, the input signals of which are generatable by means of sensor means for suspension, acceleration, vehicle speed or the like, disposed on said vehicle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus as defined by claim 2, further wherein a differential pressure sensor connected between said two reservoirs is disposed parallel to said control valve.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus as defined by claim 2, further wherein said reservoirs are disposed coaxially around said load bearing element.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus as defined by claim 1, further wherein said control valve is a continuously operating valve.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus as defined by claim 1, further wherein a differential pressure sensor connected between said two reservoirs is disposed parallel to said control valve.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus as defined by claim 8, further wherein said sensor from said differential pressure signal is also an input signal for said electronic device.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus as defined by claim 1, further wherein said reservoirs are disposed coaxially around said load bearing element.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
115 words
An apparatus for controlling a spring-type firmness of a road vehicle, comprising a hydraulic load bearing element, a hydraulic control slide valve comprising a continuously functioning throttle arranged to simultaneously monitor a connection between two work chambers of said hydraulic load bearing element and first and second hydropneumatic reservoirs, said hydraulic load bearing element being capable of being expanded into a hydropneumatic spring including said first and second hydropneumatic reservoirs, and switching means for selectively switching said control valve to switch fluid from said second hydropneumatic reservoir into or out of action relative to said hydraulic load bearing element by coupling said second reservoir to said first reservoir via said throttle of said control valve.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
115 words
An apparatus for controlling a spring-type firmness of a road vehicle, comprising a hydraulic load bearing element, a hydraulic control slide valve comprising a continuously functioning throttle arranged to simultaneously monitor a connection between two work chambers of said hydraulic load bearing element and first and second hydropneumatic reservoirs, said hydraulic load bearing element being capable of being expanded into a hydropneumatic spring including said first and second hydropneumatic reservoirs, and switching means for selectively switching said control valve to switch fluid from said second hydropneumatic reservoir into or out of action relative to said hydraulic load bearing element by coupling said second reservoir to said first reservoir via said throttle of said control valve.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus as defined by claim 11, further wherein a differential pressure sensor connected between said two reservoirs is disposed parallel to said control valve.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus as defined by claim 11, further wherein said reservoirs are disposed coaxially around said load bearing element.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus as defined by claim 11, further wherein said control valve is a magnetic valve. also an input signal for said electronic device.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
47 words
An apparatus as defined by claim 14, further wherein said control valve is arranged to receive input trigger signals from an electronic device, the input signals of which are generatable by means of sensor means for suspension, acceleration, vehicle speed or the like, disposed on said vehicle.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-04-06 | 1990-10-06 | 1991-04-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-04-06 | 1994-10-06 | 1995-04-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-04-06 | 1998-10-06 | 1999-04-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |