Trailer suspension
AssigneeFlyer Next, LLC
InventorsNicholas Brett Frey, Amit Nechushtan, Matthew Phillip Amano, Bryce Makoto Hirai
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The suspension system for a trailer is disclosed. The suspension system includes a torsion axle and an air spring operating to accommodate a wide range of a load weight applied to the trailer without any change in ride comfort. The air spring can be adjusted for its pressure inside to cover a heavy load weight, while the torsion axle can have relatively softer spring materials therein to cover a light (and zero) load weight. The air spring and the torsion axle are arranged in series to provide adequate suspension based on the load weight.
Claims19
A method of controlling a suspension system for a trailer, wherein the suspension system comprises:
- a first bracket assembly disposed adjacent a tail of the trailer, an air spring connected to the first bracket assembly, a second bracket assembly connected to the air spring, and a third bracket assembly disposed adjacent a hitch coupler of the trailer, the method comprising:
- receiving a load weight of the trailer;
- comparing the load weight with a predetermined load weight;
- determining that the load weight is higher than the predetermined load weight;
- and
- upon determining that the load weight is higher than the predetermined load weight, adjusting a pressure inside the air spring for the air spring to absorb the load weight that is higher than the predetermined load weight.
A method of assembling a suspension system for a trailer, the method comprising:
- providing a first bracket assembly to a trailer frame toward a tail of the trailer;
- providing an air spring, a first end of which is hingedly connected to the first bracket assembly;
- providing a second bracket assembly to the trailer frame and to be spaced apart from the first bracket assembly, a second end of the air spring hingedly connected to the second bracket assembly;
- providing a third bracket assembly to the trailer frame toward a hitch coupler of the trailer to be spaced apart from the second bracket assembly;
- and
- providing a torsion axle between a set of trailer wheels, wherein the torsion axle extends between the set of trailer wheels through an opening defined on the third bracket assembly.
A method of assembling a trailer to a vehicle, the method comprising:
- coupling a hitch coupler of the trailer to a hitch of the vehicle, the trailer including a suspension system comprising:
- a first bracket assembly mounted to a trailer frame toward a tail of the trailer;
- an air spring, one end of which is hingedly connected to the first bracket assembly;
- a second bracket assembly mounted to the trailer frame, another end of the air spring hingedly connected to the second bracket assembly, wherein the second bracket assembly is spaced apart from the first bracket assembly;
- a third bracket assembly mounted to the trailer frame toward the hitch coupler, wherein the third bracket assembly is spaced apart from the second bracket assembly;
- and
- a torsion axle extending between a set of trailer wheels, wherein the torsion axle extends through an opening defined on the third bracket assembly,
- wherein the air spring is configured to be controlled such that a pressure inside the air spring is adjustable, and
- wherein the torsion axle is configured to absorb a predetermined load weight applied to the trailer, and the air spring is configured to absorb a load weight higher than the predetermined load weight.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.