GB830564A - Improved control device for vehicle suspension - Google Patents

Abstract

830,564. Adjusting body height. FIRESTONE TIRE & RUBBER CO. Oct. 18, 1957 [Oct. 19, 1956], No. 32574/57. Class 108(2) In a control valve for a constant clearance height pneumatic suspension system inlet and outlet valves 73, 84, Fig. 5, are urged by springs 71, 83 to close orifices 70, 82. As the static load on the vehicle is increased a torsion bar 50, Fig. 4, is turned by a control rod 30, to rotate a plug 55. Plug 55 rotates anti-clockwise as seen in Fig. 5 and turns a bar 58 which opens the inlet valve 73 by pushing on a stem 75 to admit air under pressure to the air spring bellows. Movement of the rod 58 is hydraulically damped by a piston 90 connected to the rod 58 by members 93. An alternative form of damping using friction is shown in Fig. 6. Holes 145 prevent air from being trapped behind cups 143. If the static load is decreased all the parts move in the reverse direction and the outlet valve 83 is opened to allow air to pass to the atmosphere from the air spring bellows. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 7, a helical spring 125 provides a resilient connection between a shaft 126, turned by the control rod 30, and a plug 128, carrying the valve actuating bar 58. Pins 138a, 138b, 140a, 140b connect the shaft 126 and the plug 128 to the spring 125. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 9 a helical spring 111 transmits torque from a control arm 110 to the valve operating bar through a member 118 connected to an arm 110 and a member 123 connected to a shaft which carries the valve operating bar. As shown in Fig. 10 the control rod 100 may be made resilient by including a compression spring 102 in its construction.