Passive suspension ride height adjustment method
OwnerAdam Thomas Lambertinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A passive ride height adjuster mechanism includes a piston and cylinder acting on a main suspension spring at one or more locations around the chassis of a race car; with the piston-cylinder having adjustable length or travel; a hydraulic or pneumatic pressurization system mounted in the chassis is connected to the piston-cylinder; a signal from a timer or sensor on the chassis that signals the pressurization or depressurization of the piston-cylinder which affects the chassis ride height.
Claims13
An adjustable coil spring spacer comprising:
- a central locating sleeve which is positioned and structured to surround a shock absorber and locate the spacer axially with a suspension spring;
- an outer cylinder housing;
- an annular wall extending between the central locating sleeve and the outer cylinder housing;
- a piston disposed between the central locating sleeve and the outer cylinder housing which is structured to engage the suspension spring;
- and
- a spacing element disposed between the annular wall and the piston,
- wherein the piston is slidable between:
- a first position with respect to the central locating sleeve and the outer cylinder housing;
- and
- a second position with respect to the central locating sleeve and the outer cylinder housing, wherein the second position is spaced a pre-determined distance from the first position, and
- wherein the spacing element is positioned and structured to set a minimum spacing between the piston and the annular wall.
A method for passively adjusting a ride height of a vehicle using an adjustable coil spring spacer, the adjustable coil spring spacer comprising:
- a central locating sleeve which is positioned and structured to surround a shock absorber and locate the spacer axially with a suspension spring;
- an outer cylinder housing;
- an annular wall extending between the central locating sleeve and the outer cylinder housing:
- a piston disposed between the central locating sleeve and the outer cylinder housing which is structured to engage the suspension springs, and
- a spacing element disposed between the annular wall and the piston;
- wherein the piston is slidable between:
- a first position with respect to the central locating sleeve and the outer cylinder housing;
- and
- a second position with respect to the central locating sleeve and the outer cylinder housing, wherein the second position is spaced a pre-determined distance from the first position, and
- wherein the spacing element is positioned and structured to set a minimum spacing between the piston and the annular wall;
- the method comprising:
- relieving a force on a portion of the piston positioned in a suspension of the vehicle upon the occurrence of a predetermined event.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.