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
  • 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
  • B60G17/04—Spring characteristics, e.g. mechanical springs and mechanical adjusting means fluid spring characteristics
  • B60G17/056—Regulating distributors or valves for hydropneumatic systems
• • 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
• • 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
  • B60G21/10—Interconnection systems for two or more resiliently-suspended wheels, e.g. for stabilising a vehicle body with respect to acceleration, deceleration or centrifugal forces not permanently interconnected, e.g. operative only on acceleration, only on deceleration or only at off-straight position of steering

Definitions

• This invention relates to a suspension system for a vehicle having at least, but not limited to, two pairs of wheels.
• the aim of any suspension system is to provide a vehicle with a suspension that simultaneously resists dive, squat and roll, provides a comfortable ride with extensive axle articulation whilst maintaining equal pressure on all wheels as far as possible.
• a suspension system for a vehicle including:- - a plurality of fluid-operated cylinders which are each configured to interconnect the wheels of the vehicle to a chassis and which cylinders are connected in flow communication with one another via a first flow communication means so that displacement of one of the wheels, and with it a piston of the fluid-operated cylinder connected to said one wheel, in a substantially vertical plane will cause a corresponding but opposite displacement of pistons of the fluid-operated cylinders that are directly in flow communication with the cylinder connected to said one wheel, thereby to urge their associated wheels into contact with the surface over which the vehicle is traveling and so that the volume of fluid in opposing cylinders and the flow communication means connecting them is always equal; and
• one or more fluid-operated flow control arrangements configured to connect fluid-operated cylinders of opposing wheels via a second flow communication means for improving contact between the wheels and said surface and to provide damping without affecting other opposing sets of wheels whilst maintaining equal volumes of fluid in opposing cylinders and the flow communication means connecting them.
• Each fluid-operated cylinder may include an upper and a lower chamber, the chambers being separated by a piston associated with that cylinder.
• the fluid in the fluid-operated cylinders may a liquid or a gas.
• the cylinders may be hydraulic cylinders.
• the flow control arrangement may include means for regulating the volume of fluid in each of the fluid-operated cylinders and flow communication means so that the fluid volume in the left cylinders and their connecting flow communication means remains substantially equal to the volume of fluid in the right cylinders and their connecting flow communication means.
• the system may further include height adjustment means associated with the flow control arrangement in flow communication with the fluid-operated cylinders to facilitate adjustment of the height of the chassis relative to the wheels.
• the height adjustment means may be connected to any suitable pressurizing means, typically any suitable conventional pump means.
• a height adjustment means may be arranged on the front set of wheels and/or the rear set of wheels and/or on both.
• the height adjustment means on the front and rear sets of wheels respectively may be arranged in communication with each other.
• Figures 1 and 2 show a preferred embodiment of a suspension system for a vehicle in accordance with the invention in differing perspective views;
• Figure 3 shows a preferred embodiment of a flow control means in a top view and in a sectioned view along line A-A;
• Figure 4 shows a typical hydraulic cylinder
• FIGS 5, 6 and 7 show a schematic preferred embodiment of a suspension system in accordance with the invention in rest with height control, in normal operation and in operation traveling over a bump respectively;
• FIGS 8 and 9 are schematic representations of a further embodiment of a suspension system in accordance with the invention.
• reference numeral 70 generally designates a suspension system for a vehicle for use on any terrain.
• the suspension system 70 includes a plurality of hydraulic cylinders 6, 7, 8 and 9 which are each configured to interconnect wheels 1 , 2, 3 and 4 of the vehicle to the chassis 5.
• Fluid flow communication between the hydraulic cylinders 6, 7, 8 and 9 is achieved via tubes 15, 16, 17 and 19 which extend between operative upper or lower chambers of hydraulic cylinders 6, 7, 8 and 9.
• Pneumatically pressurized flow control arrangements 12 and 13 are arranged between and in flow communication with opposing front wheels 1 and 2 and opposing wheels 3 and 4 for improving contact between the wheels 1 , 2, 3 and 4 and a surface when the vehicle is traveling rapidly over uneven, rugged terrain.
• Tubes 15, 16, 17 and 19 are provided to permit flow communication between upper and lower chambers of the hydraulic cylinders and the flow control arrangements 12 and 13.
• reference numeral 30 generally indicates a flow control arrangement for regulating and equalizing the fluid volumes in hydraulic cylinders 6, 7, 8 and 9 ( Figure 1 ) and the tubes 15, 16, 17 and 19 ( Figure 1 ).
• the flow control arrangement 30 comprises upper port 31 that provides access to damping chamber 38, middle port 32 that provides access to equalizing chamber 41 , lower port 34 that provides access to equalizing chamber 45, inlet port 37 that provides access to damping and leveling chamber 49, outlet port 36 that is connected to leveling ports 51 via cutoff valves 35, damping expansion chamber 48 divided from pneumatically pressured chamber 44 by piston 46, fluid expansion chamber 50 and fluid expansion piston 40 including flange 39 for separating the fluids and breathers 33 that filter air moving in and out of chambers 43 and 47.
• reference numeral 60 generally designates a hydraulic cylinder that is configured to interconnect wheels 1 , 2, 3 and 4 ( Figure 1 ) of the vehicle to the chassis 5 ( Figure 1 ) and is typically connected via an axle 10 or 11 ( Figure 1 ) to ram 66 of the hydraulic cylinder 60.
• the hydraulic cylinder 60 includes an upper chamber 62 and lower chamber 64 separated by a piston 63.
• the upper port 61 allows access to upper chamber 62 and the lower port 65 allows access to the lower chamber 64.
• reference numeral 70 generally indicates a suspension system for a vehicle for use on any terrain.
• the suspension system 70 includes a plurality of hydraulic cylinders 60 which are each configured to interconnect wheels 1 , 2, 3 and 4 of the vehicle to the chassis 5.
• Fluid flow communication between the hydraulic cylinders 60 is achieved via tubes 15, 16, 17 and 19 which extend between operative upper chamber 62 or lower chamber 64 of hydraulic cylinders 60.
• the wheels 1 , 2, 3 and 4 are typically connected via their axles 10 and 1 ( Figure 1 ) to rams 66 of the hydraulic cylinders 60.
• a pneumatically pressurized flow control arrangement 30 is arranged between and in flow communication with opposing front wheels 1 and 2 and opposing rear wheels 3 and 4 to improve contact between the wheels 1 , 2, 3 and 4 and a surface 26 when the vehicle is traveling rapidly over uneven, rugged terrain.
• Tubes 15, 16, 17 and 19 are provided to permit flow communication between upper chamber 62 and lower chamber 64 of the hydraulic cylinders and the flow control arrangement 30.
• a hydraulic pump 14 is connected in flow communication to flow control arrangement 30 via tube 21 and tube 22.
• Hydraulic pump 14 provides fluid via tube 22 to damping and leveling chamber 49.
• the chamber 49 enlarges by forcing combined piston 40 towards damping chamber 38.
• the combined piston 40 moves past leveling port 51.1 the fluid escapes via cutoff valve 35.1 through tube 21 back to the hydraulic pump 14.
• the combined piston 40 attempts to maintain this position until another cutoff valve 35 is opened and the current cutoff valve 35.1 is closed and then moves to that position.
• the fluid in damping chamber 49.1 cannot go anywhere and cause the piston 46.1 to move in direction of arrow 77 thereby compressing the gas in the pneumatically charged chamber 44.1. Displacement of the fluid from the combined piston 38.1 in turn causes the fluid in equalizing chamber 45.1 in the direction of arrow 75 into the lower chamber 64.1 of hydraulic cylinder 60.1. Displacement of the fluid from the combined piston 38.1 at the same time causes the fluid in equalizing chamber 41.1 in the direction of arrow 76 into the lower chamber 64.2 of hydraulic cylinder 60.2.
• the flow control arrangement 30 ( Figure 5) may be replaced by an airbag 27 which is connected to hydraulic cylinders 60.5 via a connecting bar 28. Alternatively, the airbag 27 may be replaced by any suitable biasing means such as for example a spring arrangement.
• the lower chambers 64.5 are connected to tubes 16 and 19 respectively.
• the upper chamber 62.5 is connected to tube 15.
• the flow control arrangement 30 may be replaced by a hydraulic cylinder 60.5 connected from lower chamber 64.5 to a pneumatically pressured vessel 29 via tube 81.
• Hydraulic cylinder 60.5 is connected to hydraulic cylinders 60.6 via a connecting bar 28.
• the upper chambers 62.6 are connected to tubes 16 and 19 respectively whilst the upper chambers 62.5 are connected to tube 15.

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

Priority Applications (9)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=29737376

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (13)

Cited By (5)

Families Citing this family (18)

Family Cites Families (17)

• 2003
  • 2003-06-04 US US10/516,223 patent/US7150457B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2003-06-04 DE DE60306522T patent/DE60306522T2/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2003-06-04 PT PT03752637T patent/PT1509413E/pt unknown
  • 2003-06-04 EP EP03752637A patent/EP1509413B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2003-06-04 WO PCT/ZA2003/000073 patent/WO2003103996A2/en not_active Ceased
  • 2003-06-04 JP JP2004511091A patent/JP2005529021A/ja active Pending
  • 2003-06-04 ES ES03752637T patent/ES2268409T3/es not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2003-06-04 CN CNB038130777A patent/CN100519240C/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2003-06-04 AU AU2003270923A patent/AU2003270923B2/en not_active Ceased
  • 2003-06-04 DK DK03752637T patent/DK1509413T3/da active
  • 2003-06-04 CA CA002488200A patent/CA2488200C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2003-06-04 AT AT03752637T patent/ATE331638T1/de active
• 2004
  • 2004-12-22 ZA ZA2004/10316A patent/ZA200410316B/en unknown

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