WO1997007999A1

WO1997007999A1 - Automobile suspension system

Info

Publication number: WO1997007999A1
Application number: PCT/IB1996/000639
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bong Chul Yang; Yong Bum Kim
Original assignee: Lee, Sang, Woo
Priority date: 1995-08-25
Filing date: 1996-07-03
Publication date: 1997-03-06
Also published as: KR970008531U

Abstract

An automobile suspension system which diminishes the detrimental effects shock vibrations have on an automobile caused by everyday driving, and which provides a more comfortable ride. The present invention is intended to be used in substitution of conventional suspension systems used in ordinary automobiles. The present invention utilizes the tensile strength of a coil spring (20) and air pressure regulated within a Bellows Tube (30) to provide optimal performance regardless of the weight load the automobile is carrying. The present invention comprises a plurality of suspension members, each suspension member comprising a Bellows Tube (30) which accommodates a conventional coil spring (20), resulting in a hollow cylindrical structure. Plates (40, 50) are placed over the ends of this hollow cylindrical structure forming the suspension member, thereby providing an air-tight seal within the suspension member. A circular ventilation aperture (60) is milled through the center of the upper plate (40), and a piston (80) regulates the amount of air which enters and exits the suspension member.

Description

AUTOMOBILE SUSPENSION SYSTEM

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to automobile suspension systems,

specifically to automobile suspension systems which enhance the shock absorbing

capacity of automobiles regardless ofthe carrying load.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Prior art in the field of suspension systems used for automobiles include the

conventional suspension systems found in ordinary automobiles. The conventional

automobile suspension systems link frame and body together to mitigate the

propagation of shock vibrations throughout the automobile. In doing so, the

automobile suspension system prevents damage to automobile from occurring.

Typical suspension systems comprise springs and shock absorbers. These coil springs

used in the suspension systems are usually made of metal. The liability of using coil

springs in suspension systems is that they do not perform well under low load weight

conditions. However, the advantage of using coil springs is that they are very

economical.

Air springs are an alternative to coil springs which are used in suspension

systems. Although air springs may perform better than coil springs under the same

application, the air springs require an intricate supplemental apparatus to generate air

and to regulate air pressures for various driving conditions, thereby making air springs

a costly alternative to coil springs. In addition, the aforementioned system requires the installation of a supplementary shock absorbing system, thereby effectively increasing the cost of having a sufficient automobile suspension system. These systems do not function properly unless the vehicle is imposed under an absolutely ideal weight load. The present invention, however, provides ample suspension under

a relatively wide range of weight loads.

Accordingly, the primary object ofthe present invention is to provide an

automobile suspension system which furnishes dramatically improved ride quality and which is relatively affordable.

Another object ofthe present invention is to provide an automobile suspension

system which provides improved ride quality regardless ofthe vehicle's weight load.

Another object ofthe present invention is to provide an automobile suspension

system which does not create excessive noise and thus furnishes a relatively quiet

ride.

Yet another object ofthe present invention is to provide an automobile suspension system which is conveniently installed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an automobile suspension system which diminishes

the detrimental effects shock vibrations have on an automobile caused by everyday

driving and which provides a more comfortable ride. The present invention is

intended to be used in substitution of conventional suspension systems used in

ordinary automobiles. However, various existing systems have shortcomings which

make each system unattractive, either from a financial standpoint, or a pragmatic standpoint. Unlike the prior art, the present invention is favorable both from a

financial and from a functional standpoint.

The present invention provides a new automobile suspension system which

utilizes the tensile strength of a coil spring and air pressure regulated within a Bellows

Tube to provide optimal suspension performance regardless ofthe weight ofthe load

the automobile is carrying. The present invention comprises a plurality of suspension

members, each comprising a Bellows Tube which accommodates a conventional coil

spring, resulting in a hollow cylindrical structure. Plates are placed over the ends of

the hollow cylindrical structure, an upper plate and a lower plate, forming the

suspension member and thereby providing an air-tight seal within the hollow portion

ofthe suspension member. A ventilation aperture is milled through the center ofthe

upper plate, and a piston regulates the amount of air entering the hollow cylindrical

suspension system through the circular ventilation aperture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view ofa single member ofthe automobile suspension system with an exposed upper section.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of a single member ofthe automobile suspension

system exposing the coil spring, the Bellows Tube, and the Upper and Lower plates. FIG. 3 is a close-up cross-sectional side view of a single member ofthe present

invention exposing the ventilation aperture, the air filter, the piston, and the air

orifices on the piston chamber; the passage of air through the air filter and piston

chamber is also depicted.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view ofthe retention ring. FIG. 5 is a perspective view ofthe Bellows Tube in an uncompressed form.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side view ofa single member ofthe automobile suspension

system exposing the reinforcement bands.

FIG. 7 depicts the different coil positions depending on the weight load ofthe

vehicle.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment ofthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The automobile suspension system comprises a plurality of suspension

members 10, one of said suspension members 10 being depicted in FIG. 1. Each one

ofthe suspension members 10 corresponds to a wheel on a conventional vehicle in the

same manner as a conventional coil spring. The suspension member 10 comprises a

coil spring 20, a Bellows Tube 30, an upper plate 40 and a lower plate 50. The coil

spring 20 is tightly fit inside the Bellows Tube 30. The upper plate 40 is affixed to the

suspension member 10 at its upper end, and the lower plate 50 is affixed to the

suspension member 10 at its lower end. The Bellows Tube 30, the upper plate 40, and

the lower plate 50 create an air-tight chamber 11 within the suspension member 10.

Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3, a ventilation aperture 60 is integrally

disposed through the upper plate 40. Extending from this aperture 60 into the air-tight

chamber 11 is a piston chamber 70 which accommodates a piston 80. A plurality of

air orifices 71 are arranged longitudinally along the piston chamber 70. The plurality

of air orifices 71 permit the passage of air between the piston chamber 70 and the air¬

tight chamber 11. The piston is fixed to the lower plate 50 by a piston rod 81. The position ofthe piston 80 does not change. Rather, when the coil spring 20 is

compressed or expanded, the piston chamber 70 slides along the piston 80. To

prevent foreign debris from entering the ventilation aperture 60 and the air-tight

chamber 11, an air filter 61 is attached over the aperture 60. The piston chamber 70 is

long enough to accommodate the full range of motion ofthe piston 80.

Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, a plurality of retention rings 90 are disposed

along the length ofthe suspension member 10 in order to prevent the secession ofthe

Bellows Tube 30 and the coil spring 20. Referring to FIG. 5 which depicts the

Bellows Tube 30, a plurality of reinforcement bands 31 are disposed along the length

ofthe Bellows Tube 30. When the suspension member 10 is compressed, pressure is

built within the suspension member 10. The plurality of reinforcement bands 31

prevent the Bellows Tube 30 from being ruptured by this intense pressure. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view ofthe suspension member 10 depicting the coil spring 20 and the

reinforcement bands 31.

The suspension members 10 installed in an automobile provide a much more

comfortable and quiet ride than an automobile equipped with conventional suspension

systems. The vehicles with a conventional coil spring suspension do not function

properly unless an absolutely ideal weight load is imposed at all times. The present

invention, however, functions properly under a wide range of weight loads.

The automobile suspension system provides for a more comfortable ride by

impeding the motion ofthe coil spring 20 when the coil spring 20 is subjected to

shock waves and impacts. The compression ofthe coil spring 20 is regulated by the

release of air from the air-tight chamber 11 via the ventilation aperture 60. When a

suspension member 10 is subjected to a shock wave or sudden impact, the coil spring 20 is compressed. The compression ofthe coil spring 20 pushes the piston chamber 70 vertically towards the lower plate 50, and thus the piston 80 is positioned at a

higher level relative to the piston chamber 70. In addition, the compression ofthe coil

spring 20 and the suspension member 10 as a whole causes the piston 80 to approach

the upper plate 40 ofthe suspension system 10. As the piston 80 approaches the

upper plate 40, it slides along the piston chamber 70. Because air entering and exiting

the air-tight chamber 11 must pass through the ventilation aperture 60, the air filter 61,

and the air orifices 71, when the piston 80 slides upward with respect to the piston

chamber 70, the amount of open air orifices 71 which can accommodate the passage

of air is reduced, thus increasingly reducing the rate of compression ofthe suspension

member 10 as the suspension member 10 is compressed. Thus the speed ofthe

compression rate ofthe coil spring 20 is proportionate to the discharge of air from the

air-tight chamber 11.

The weight ofa single automobile varies dramatically according to the number of passengers and the amount of cargo present inside the automobile. Conventional

automobiles provide suspension systems which are designed to work properly under

ideal conditions. That is, these suspension systems are designed to provide

suspension of a vehicle which has a fixed weight. The automobile suspension system,

however, provides ample shock absorption regardless ofthe amount and weight ofthe

cargo or the passengers. This is achieved by the conjunction ofthe coil spring 20 and

the Bellows Tube 30. FIG. 7 depicts different positions ofthe upper plate 40 ofthe

suspension member 10 with respect to the lower plate 50, the positioning ofthe upper

plate 40 depending upon how much weight is imposed on the suspension member 10.

When the vehicle is carrying a minimum load, the upper plate is at the utmost position 41. Conversely, when the vehicle is carrying a maximum load, the upper plate is at the lowest position 42. Intermediate positions refer to when the vehicle is carrying

moderate loads. Regardless ofthe position ofthe upper plate 40, the coil spring 20 still provides ample suspension for the vehicle.

Referring to FIG. 3, the air filter 61 is cylindrical in shape to fit the

cylindrically shaped ventilation aperture 60. The air filter 61 is threaded to allow the

same to be removably fastened inside the ventilation aperture 60. The air filter 61 is

disposable thereby allowing worn and dirty air filters 61 to be replaced. Referring to

FIG. 8, an altemate embodiment ofthe air filter 61 is depicted. In this embodiment, a threaded cap 100 is used to secure the air filter 61 in place.

Claims

IN THE CLAIMS:What is claimed as being new and therefore desired to be protected by letter patent ofthe United States is as follows:

1. An automobile suspension system comprising a plurality of suspension

members, each of said suspension members corresponding to a wheel of a vehicle,

wherein each of said suspension members comprise:

a) a coil spring, said coil spring fitting tightly inside a Bellows Tube, said

Bellows Tube accommodating said coil spring, wherein said Bellows Tube has

a longitudinal upper end and a longitudinal lower end;

b) an upper plate and a lower plate, said upper plate and said lower plate having a circular shape;

1) wherein said upper plate corresponds to and is affixed over said

longitudinal upper end of said Bellows Tube in an air-tight fashion;

2) wherein said lower plate corresponds to and is affixed over said

longitudinal lower end of said Bellows Tube in an air-tight fashion;

and

3) wherein a circular ventilation aperture is integrally disposed

upon said upper plate, said circular ventilation aperture being threaded

to accommodate and fasten an air filter within said circular ventilation

aperture; c) said air filter, wherein said air filter is of a cylindrical shape and is

threaded, thereby allowing said air filter to be removed and replaced, said air

filter corresponding to said circular ventilation aperture;

d) a piston chamber of a cylindrical shape having an upper end and a

lower end

1) wherein said upper end is unenclosed and corresponds to said

circular ventilation aperture;

2) wherein said lower end of said piston chamber extends

normally and longitudinally towards said lower plate of said

suspension member with respect to said upper plate but does not come

into contact with said lower plate;

3) wherein a plurality of orifices are disposed longitudinally along

said piston chamber; and

4) wherein said piston chamber accommodates a piston;

e) said piston attached to a piston rod, said piston rod attached to center

of said lower plate, wherein said piston and said piston rod are fixed in

position, said piston chamber sliding along said piston during compression and

expansion of said suspension member;

f) said Bellows Tube having a plurality of reinforcement rings arranged along the length of said Bellows Tube to prevent rupturing of said Bellows

Tube during compression of said coil springs and of said suspension member

due to air pressure created within said suspension member; and g) said suspension member having a plurality of rings arranged along the length of said suspension member between said Bellows Tube and said coil

spring to prevent secession of said Bellows Tube and of said coil spring;

2. An automobile suspension system as mentioned in claim 1 , wherein said

suspension member is affixed at said lower plate to said lower plate of another said

suspension member, thereby forming a suspension member which has two circular

ventilation apertures, two piston chambers, and two pistons, thereby increasing the

effectiveness of said automobile suspension system.