GB2032859A - Improvements in Suspension Systems for Vehicles - Google Patents

Improvements in Suspension Systems for Vehicles Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2032859A
GB2032859A GB7931787A GB7931787A GB2032859A GB 2032859 A GB2032859 A GB 2032859A GB 7931787 A GB7931787 A GB 7931787A GB 7931787 A GB7931787 A GB 7931787A GB 2032859 A GB2032859 A GB 2032859A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
vehicle
units
suspension
unit
load
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB7931787A
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
ZF International UK Ltd
Original Assignee
Lucas Industries Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Lucas Industries Ltd filed Critical Lucas Industries Ltd
Publication of GB2032859A publication Critical patent/GB2032859A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
    • B60G17/00—Resilient suspensions having means for adjusting the spring or vibration-damper characteristics, for regulating the distance between a supporting surface and a sprung part of vehicle or for locking suspension during use to meet varying vehicular or surface conditions, e.g. due to speed or load
    • B60G17/02—Spring characteristics, e.g. mechanical springs and mechanical adjusting means
    • B60G17/033—Spring characteristics, e.g. mechanical springs and mechanical adjusting means characterised by regulating means acting on more than one spring
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
    • B60G21/00—Interconnection systems for two or more resiliently-suspended wheels, e.g. for stabilising a vehicle body with respect to acceleration, deceleration or centrifugal forces
    • B60G21/02—Interconnection systems for two or more resiliently-suspended wheels, e.g. for stabilising a vehicle body with respect to acceleration, deceleration or centrifugal forces permanently interconnected
    • B60G21/06—Interconnection systems for two or more resiliently-suspended wheels, e.g. for stabilising a vehicle body with respect to acceleration, deceleration or centrifugal forces permanently interconnected fluid
    • B60G21/067—Interconnection systems for two or more resiliently-suspended wheels, e.g. for stabilising a vehicle body with respect to acceleration, deceleration or centrifugal forces permanently interconnected fluid between wheels on different axles on the same side of the vehicle, i.e. the left or the right side

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Vehicle Body Suspensions (AREA)

Abstract

In a suspension system in which an hydraulic suspension unit is located substantially at each of the four corners of a vehicle, the suspension units 1, 2 on the same side of the vehicle are interconnected by a pipeline 11. One of the units 2 on each side of the vehicle, and preferably for each rear corner, has a levelling valve 12 for controlling the length of that unit, and the areas of the units are chosen to provide a proportionate load at each corner. The arrangement thereby ensures a constant load distribution between front and rear wheels also, the interconnected units increase roll stability during cornering. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in Suspension Systems for Vehicles This invention relates to suspension systems for vehicles of the kind in which the load on a wheel is supported by a volume of air or gas in a pressure chamber defining a gas spring in combination with one of four hydraulic suspension units located substantially at each corner of the vehicle, and means are provided for maintaining the length of each unit at a predetermined value irrespective of the load on the wheel with which that unit is associated.
In suspension systems of the kind set forth unpredictable load distributions can be created on the wheels when each unit is provided with its own self-levelling valve for controlling the length of that unit. Tyre inflation differences and variations in the dimensions of the body of the vehicle can cause the units to be pressurised at different pressures which, in turn, cause the wheels to be subjected to different suspension loads. This is known as the "four-legged stool" effect which can produce dangerous or disconcerting handling characteristics when the vehicle is cornering.
According to our invention in a suspension system of the kind set forth the suspension units on the same side of the vehicle are interconnected, and at least one of the units on each side of the vehicle is provided with a levelling valve for controlling the length of that unit.
This has the advantage that the two connected units always carry half the vehicle load in a fixed proportion between them. It follows, therefore, that the wheels are always loaded. This is not necessarily the case when each of the four suspension units is provided with its own selflevelling valve. In addition interconnecting the units on the same side of the vehicle decreases the roll of the vehicle when cornering.
One unit only on each side of the vehicle will normally be provided with a levelling valve, and the areas of the units are chosen to provide a proportionate load at each corner when, for example, the vehicle is loaded. This is particularly advantageous when the vehicle is not loaded symmetrically.
Conveniently the units at the rear corners of the vehicle are provided with levelling valves.
One embodiment of our invention is illustrated in the single Figure of the accompanying drawing which shows schematically the arrangement of a suspension assembly on one side of a vehicle.
The arrangement illustrated in the drawings is identical for both sides of the vehicle. As illustrated the load on the front wheel of a vehicle is supported by a suspension assembly 1 and the load on the rear wheel on the same side of the vehicle is supported by a suspension assembly 2.
Each suspension assembly 1, 2 comprises a pressure chamber 3 containing a volume 4 of gas or air for supporting the load on that wheel, in combination with an hydraulic suspension unit 5.
Each suspension unit 5 comprises a piston 6 which works in a cylinder 7 and is carried by a piston rod 8 which works through a closure 9 for the end of the cylinder 7 remote from the pressure chamber 3. Each piston 6 is provided with oppositely acting one-way valves or restrictors 10 which serve to damp out oscillations due to relative movement between sprung and unsprung parts.
At positions between the pressure chambers 3 and the upper ends of the cylinders 7 both units 5 are interconnected by a pipe-line 11. The unit 5 of the assembly 2 is of greater diameter than that of the unit 5 of the assembly 1 and it is also provided with a levelling valve 1 2 to control communication between a supply line 13 from a high pressure source of hydraulic fluid, suitably an accumulator 14, and a return line 1 5 to a reservoir 16. The levelling valve 12 is therefore operative to alter the effective volume of fluid in the cylinder 7 to maintain the assembly 2 at substantially a constant length irrespective of the loading on the vehicle.The pipe-line 11 also permits the quantity of fluid in the cylinder 7 of the assembly 1 to be regulated at the same time, to provide a proportionate load for its corner of the vehicle as determined by the ratio of the areas of the piston rods 8.
Claims
1. A suspension system of the kind set forth in which the suspension units on the same side of 'the vehicle are interconnected, and at least one of the units on each side of the vehicle is provided with a levelling valve for controlling the length of that unit.
2. A suspension system as claimed in claim 1, in which one unit only on each side of the vehicle is provided with a levelling valve, and the areas of the units are chosen to provide a proportionate load at each corner of the vehicle.
3. A suspension system as claimed in any preceding claim in which the units at the rear corners of the vehicle are provided with levelling valves.
4. A suspension system for a vehicle substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (4)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvements in Suspension Systems for Vehicles This invention relates to suspension systems for vehicles of the kind in which the load on a wheel is supported by a volume of air or gas in a pressure chamber defining a gas spring in combination with one of four hydraulic suspension units located substantially at each corner of the vehicle, and means are provided for maintaining the length of each unit at a predetermined value irrespective of the load on the wheel with which that unit is associated. In suspension systems of the kind set forth unpredictable load distributions can be created on the wheels when each unit is provided with its own self-levelling valve for controlling the length of that unit. Tyre inflation differences and variations in the dimensions of the body of the vehicle can cause the units to be pressurised at different pressures which, in turn, cause the wheels to be subjected to different suspension loads. This is known as the "four-legged stool" effect which can produce dangerous or disconcerting handling characteristics when the vehicle is cornering. According to our invention in a suspension system of the kind set forth the suspension units on the same side of the vehicle are interconnected, and at least one of the units on each side of the vehicle is provided with a levelling valve for controlling the length of that unit. This has the advantage that the two connected units always carry half the vehicle load in a fixed proportion between them. It follows, therefore, that the wheels are always loaded. This is not necessarily the case when each of the four suspension units is provided with its own selflevelling valve. In addition interconnecting the units on the same side of the vehicle decreases the roll of the vehicle when cornering. One unit only on each side of the vehicle will normally be provided with a levelling valve, and the areas of the units are chosen to provide a proportionate load at each corner when, for example, the vehicle is loaded. This is particularly advantageous when the vehicle is not loaded symmetrically. Conveniently the units at the rear corners of the vehicle are provided with levelling valves. One embodiment of our invention is illustrated in the single Figure of the accompanying drawing which shows schematically the arrangement of a suspension assembly on one side of a vehicle. The arrangement illustrated in the drawings is identical for both sides of the vehicle. As illustrated the load on the front wheel of a vehicle is supported by a suspension assembly 1 and the load on the rear wheel on the same side of the vehicle is supported by a suspension assembly 2. Each suspension assembly 1, 2 comprises a pressure chamber 3 containing a volume 4 of gas or air for supporting the load on that wheel, in combination with an hydraulic suspension unit 5. Each suspension unit 5 comprises a piston 6 which works in a cylinder 7 and is carried by a piston rod 8 which works through a closure 9 for the end of the cylinder 7 remote from the pressure chamber 3. Each piston 6 is provided with oppositely acting one-way valves or restrictors 10 which serve to damp out oscillations due to relative movement between sprung and unsprung parts. At positions between the pressure chambers 3 and the upper ends of the cylinders 7 both units 5 are interconnected by a pipe-line 11. The unit 5 of the assembly 2 is of greater diameter than that of the unit 5 of the assembly 1 and it is also provided with a levelling valve 1 2 to control communication between a supply line 13 from a high pressure source of hydraulic fluid, suitably an accumulator 14, and a return line 1 5 to a reservoir 16. The levelling valve 12 is therefore operative to alter the effective volume of fluid in the cylinder 7 to maintain the assembly 2 at substantially a constant length irrespective of the loading on the vehicle.The pipe-line 11 also permits the quantity of fluid in the cylinder 7 of the assembly 1 to be regulated at the same time, to provide a proportionate load for its corner of the vehicle as determined by the ratio of the areas of the piston rods 8. Claims
1. A suspension system of the kind set forth in which the suspension units on the same side of 'the vehicle are interconnected, and at least one of the units on each side of the vehicle is provided with a levelling valve for controlling the length of that unit.
2. A suspension system as claimed in claim 1, in which one unit only on each side of the vehicle is provided with a levelling valve, and the areas of the units are chosen to provide a proportionate load at each corner of the vehicle.
3. A suspension system as claimed in any preceding claim in which the units at the rear corners of the vehicle are provided with levelling valves.
4. A suspension system for a vehicle substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
GB7931787A 1978-10-06 1979-09-13 Improvements in Suspension Systems for Vehicles Withdrawn GB2032859A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB7839557 1978-10-06

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB2032859A true GB2032859A (en) 1980-05-14

Family

ID=10500160

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB7931787A Withdrawn GB2032859A (en) 1978-10-06 1979-09-13 Improvements in Suspension Systems for Vehicles

Country Status (5)

Country Link
JP (1) JPS5551611A (en)
DE (1) DE2940484A1 (en)
FR (1) FR2437948A1 (en)
GB (1) GB2032859A (en)
NL (1) NL7907098A (en)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS60153919A (en) * 1984-01-25 1985-08-13 Hitachi Ltd Adsorption and regeneration of adsorbing tower
JPS61247826A (en) * 1985-04-24 1986-11-05 Fuji Heavy Ind Ltd Intake apparatus of internal-combustion engine
JPS61245818A (en) * 1985-04-25 1986-11-01 Mitsubishi Heavy Ind Ltd Removal of carbon dioxide

Family Cites Families (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR19931E (en) * 1921-08-01 1915-11-15 Henri Mercier Air suspension for vehicles
NL102375C (en) * 1955-07-21
DE1028435B (en) * 1955-08-01 1958-04-17 Daimler Benz Ag Compensating suspension for vehicles, especially motor vehicles
DE1036072B (en) * 1955-09-12 1958-08-07 Daimler Benz Ag Pneumatic compensation suspension for vehicles
US2978254A (en) * 1958-09-09 1961-04-04 Gen Motors Corp Interconnected fluid suspension system
DE1430538A1 (en) * 1963-01-05 1968-12-12 Boge Gmbh Compensating suspension for motor vehicles that works with fluid
GB1244872A (en) * 1968-08-20 1971-09-02 Rover Co Ltd Vehicle suspensions
GB1396890A (en) * 1971-07-09 1975-06-11 Rover Co Ltd Vehicle suspension systems
GB1338322A (en) * 1972-08-31 1973-11-21 Wheeler J J Suspension system for vehicles

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2437948A1 (en) 1980-04-30
DE2940484A1 (en) 1980-04-17
NL7907098A (en) 1980-04-09
JPS5551611A (en) 1980-04-15

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Legal Events

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WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)