Electrically controlled suspension
AssigneeBendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
InventorsRonald S. Plantan, Ross A. Gresley
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An electrically controlled suspension includes a first spring with a first end and a second end, where the first end of the first spring is connectable to a forward frame bracket of a frame of a vehicle and where the second end of the first spring is connectable to a rear frame bracket of the frame of the vehicle via a rear spring support. The suspension includes a second spring with a first end and a second end, where the second end of the second spring is connected to the second end of the first spring. An electrically operated suspension control actuator is provided where the first end of the second spring is connected to the electrically operated suspension control actuator.
Claims24
An electrically controlled suspension, comprising:
- a first spring with a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the first spring is connectable to a forward frame bracket of a frame of a vehicle and wherein the second end of the first spring is connectable to a rear frame bracket of the frame of the vehicle via a rear spring support;
- a second spring with a first end and a second end, wherein the second end of the second spring is connected to the second end of the first spring;
- and
- an electrically operated suspension control actuator, wherein the first end of the second spring is connected to the electrically operated suspension control actuator;
- wherein the first end of the second spring is movable by the electrically operated suspension control actuator between a first position and a second position, wherein when the first end of the second spring is in the first position the second spring engages the first spring over a first length, wherein when the first end of the second spring is in the second position the second spring engages the first spring over a second length, and wherein the second length is greater than the first length.
A vehicle, comprising:
- a frame with a forward frame bracket and a rear frame bracket;
- an axle;
- a first spring with a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the first spring is connected to the forward frame bracket, wherein the second end of the first spring is connected to the rear frame bracket via a rear spring support, and wherein the first spring is attached to the axle;
- a second spring with a first end and a second end, wherein the second end of the second spring is connected to the second end of the first spring;
- and
- an electrically operated suspension control actuator connected to the frame, wherein the first end of the second spring is connected to the electrically operated suspension control actuator;
- wherein the first end of the second spring is movable by the electrically operated suspension control actuator between a first position and a second position, wherein when the first end of the second spring is in the first position the second spring engages the first spring over a first length, wherein when the first end of the second spring is in the second position the second spring engages the first spring over a second length, and wherein the second length is greater than the first length.
A method for operating a vehicle suspension, wherein the vehicle suspension includes:
- a first spring with a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the first spring is connected to a forward frame bracket of a frame of a vehicle and wherein the second end of the first spring is connected to a rear frame bracket of the frame of the vehicle via a rear spring support;
- a second spring with a first end and a second end, wherein the second end of the second spring is connected to the second end of the first spring;
- and
- an electrically operated suspension control actuator, wherein the first end of the second spring is connected to the electrically operated suspension control actuator;
- and comprising the acts of:
- moving the first end of the second spring by the electrically operated suspension control actuator to a first position, wherein when the first end of the second spring is in the first position the second spring engages the first spring over a first length;
- and
- moving the first end of the second spring by the electrically operated suspension control actuator to a second position, wherein when the first end of the second spring is in the second position the second spring engages the first spring over a second length;
- wherein the second length is greater than the first length.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.