Patent EP0226204A2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4852906A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronically controlled fluid suspension system
Assignee: Toyota Motor Corp
•
Filing: 1988-05-10
•
Granted: 1989-08-01
•
Expires: 2008-05-10
Abstract
Abstract An electronically controlled fluid suspension system for adjusting a vehicle's attitude rapidly controls the vehicle height: by providing and blocking the fluid communication between fluid springs and reserve tanks; and by shifting the damping force of shock absorbers to a higher degree in response to the change of the vehicle height. As a result, it can avoid the late control of the vehicle height and prevent the vibration of the vehicle body due to the vehicle height's adjustment, thereby enhancing riding comfort.
Inventors
- 👤 Shuuichi Buma
- 👤 Nobutaka Ohwa
- 👤 Osamu Takeda
- 👤 Toshio Aburaya
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 20:31
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60G; B60G17/00; B60G17/015; B60G17/016; B60G2204/00; B60G2204/80; B60G2400/00; B60G2400/10; B60G2400/102; B60G2400/104; B60G2400/20; B60G2400/25; B60G2400/252; B60G2400/40; B60G2400/41; B60G2400/44; B60G2400/50; B60G2500/00; B60G2500/10; B60G2500/102; B60G2500/20; B60G2500/201; B60G2500/2014; B60G2500/22; B60G2500/30; B60G2600/00; B60G2600/02; B60G2600/12; B60G2600/82; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S280/00; Y10S280/01
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
A fluid suspension system for controlling a vehicle's attitude comprising: a fluid suspension having a fluid spring and a shock absorber; and vehicle attitude control means for controlling the fluid suspension to control vehicle attitude variance caused by acceleration applied to the vehicle; wherein the vehicle attitude control means comprise: fluid supply/release means connected to the fluid spring for supplying and releasing fluid to and from the fluid spring; and damping force alteration means for increasing a damping force of the shock absorber after the fluid supply/release means supply and release the fluid to and from the fluid spring for a predetermined time period.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
104 words
A fluid suspension system for controlling a vehicle's attitude comprising: a fluid suspension having a fluid spring and a shock absorber; and vehicle attitude control means for controlling the fluid suspension to control vehicle attitude variance caused by acceleration applied to the vehicle; wherein the vehicle attitude control means comprise: fluid supply/release means connected to the fluid spring for supplying and releasing fluid to and from the fluid spring; and damping force alteration means for increasing a damping force of the shock absorber after the fluid supply/release means supply and release the fluid to and from the fluid spring for a predetermined time period.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
A fluid suspension system according to claim 1 wherein the fluid suspension includes a high pressure reserve tank and a low pressure reserve tank, and the fluid supply/release means include means for supplying the fluid from the high pressure reserve tank to the fluid spring and for releasing the fluid from the fluid spring to the low pressure reserve tank.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A fluid suspension system according to claim 1 wherein the fluid supply/release means include vehicle height control means for altering a vehicle height so as to adjust the vehicle's attitude.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
A fluid suspension system according to claim 3 wherein the vehicle height control means raise a vehicle height of outer wheels of the cornering vehicle and lower a vehicle height of inner wheels thereof so as to prevent the vehicle from rolling.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A fluid suspension system according to claim 4 wherein the vehicle height control means include means for controlling the vehicle heights of the wheels in response to a steering angle of the vehicle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
A fluid suspension system according to claim 3 wherein the vehicle height control means raise a vehicle height of front wheels of the braked vehicle and lower a vehicle height of rear wheels thereof so as to prevent the vehicle from diving.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
A fluid suspension system according to claim 3 wherein the vehicle height control means raise a vehicle height of rear wheels of the started and accelerated vehicle and lower a vehicle height of front wheels thereof so as to prevent the vehicle from squatting.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
A fluid suspension system according to claim 1 wherein the damping force alteration means include means for determining the predetermined time period such that the damping force of the shock absorber is increased after the supply and release of the fluid to and from the fluid spring alter the vehicle height.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
79 words
A fluid suspension system according to claim 1 wherein the fluid suspension includes an air suspension circuit including: an air spring; a high pressure reserve tank for reserving high pressure air which is supplied to the air spring; a low pressure reserve tank for reserving low pressure air which is released from the air spring; leveling valves for controlling the mass flow of the air to and from the air spring; and a motor for activating the shock absorber.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
JPS60119614A
Cited
JPS60119608A
Cited
US4624476A
Cited
US4625992A
Cited
US4695074A
Cited
US4741554A
Cited
JPH06137006A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-07-31 | 1993-01-30 | 1993-08-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-07-31 | 1997-01-30 | 1997-08-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-07-31 | 2001-01-30 | 2001-08-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |