Suspension system and method of varying a stiffness of a suspension of a vehicle
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorPrabhakar R. Marur
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A suspension assembly for a vehicle is provided. The suspension system includes a suspension knuckle, a guide, and a spring. The guide is operatively attached to the suspension knuckle and extends longitudinally along a lateral axis. The spring extends between a first end and a second end. The first end of the spring is configured for operative attachment to the vehicle. The second end of the spring is movably attached to the guide and is configured for movement along the lateral axis to vary a stiffness of a suspension.
Claims17
A suspension assembly for a vehicle, the suspension system comprising:
- a suspension knuckle;
- a guide operatively attached to the suspension knuckle and extending longitudinally along a lateral axis;
- and
- a spring extending between a first end and a second end;
- wherein the first end of the spring is configured for operative attachment to the vehicle;
- wherein the second end of the spring is movably attached to the guide and configured for movement along the lateral axis to vary a stiffness of a suspension.
A suspension system for a vehicle comprising:
- a first suspension knuckle;
- a second suspension knuckle;
- a first guide operatively attached to the first suspension knuckle;
- a second guide operatively attached to the second suspension knuckle;
- wherein the first and second guides extend longitudinally along a respective lateral axis;
- a first spring;
- and
- a second spring;
- wherein each spring extends between a first end and a second end;
- wherein the first ends of the first and second springs are configured for operative attachment to the vehicle;
- wherein the second end of the first spring is operatively attached to the first guide;
- wherein the second end of the second spring is operatively attached to the second guide;
- and
- wherein the second ends of the first and second springs are configured for movement along the respective lateral axis to vary the stiffness of the suspension system.
A method of controlling a stiffness of a suspension system of a vehicle in response to an event while driving the vehicle, the method comprising:
- operating the vehicle;
- sensing an event;
- moving an end of one of a first spring and a second spring along a respective guide on a steering knuckle when the event equals a condition to vary a length between the end of the one of a first spring and the second spring and an attachment point of the steering knuckle to the vehicle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.