# US 2014/0197586 A1 · Damping device with adjustable spring rate > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0197586 A1 - Document ID: US20140197586A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/157,406 - Filed: 2014-01-16 - Published: 2014-07-17 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-17 - Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Applicants: Ford Global Technologies, LLC. - Inventors: Friedrich Peter WOLF-MONHEIM - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140197586A1 ## CPC - B60G 15/065: {characterised by the use of a combination of springs} - B60G 11/52: having helical, spiral or coil springs, and also rubber springs - B60G 17/027: Mechanical springs regulated by fluid means (B60G17/033 takes precedence) - B60G 17/08: Characteristics of fluid dampers (adjusting fluid dampers in general F16F9/44 - F16F9/53) - F16F 1/121: {adjustable, e.g. to modify spring characteristics} - F16F 1/3615: {with means for modifying the spring characteristic (F16F1/371 takes precedence)} - F16F 13/007: {the damper being a fluid damper} - B60G 2202/12: Wound spring - B60G 2202/14: Plastic spring, e.g. rubber - B60G 2202/24: Fluid damper - B60G 2204/124: Mounting of coil springs - B60G 2204/125: Mounting of rubber type springs - F16F 2222/12: Fluid damping - F16F 2230/183: fluid actuated - B60G: VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS (air-cushion vehicles B60V; {cycle suspensions B62K25/00}) - F16F: SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION ## Abstract A spring and damping device for a wheel suspension in motor vehicles includes an upper region, a lower region, and a damping element arranged between the upper region and the lower region. The device further includes a coil spring element and a rubber spring element. The coil spring element and the rubber spring element are arranged one behind the other along a center axis of the damping element such that the coil spring element is positioned to exert a force on the rubber spring element. The device allows a spring rate to be adjusted based either on sensed conditions, or by driver input. The spring rate may be adjustable between discrete settings or continuously variable. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A spring and damping device for a wheel suspension in motor vehicles, the device comprising: an upper region; a lower region; a damping element arranged between the upper region and the lower region, the damping element having a center axis; a coil spring element; and a rubber spring element, the coil spring element and rubber spring element arranged one behind the other along the center axis of the damping element such that the coil spring element is positioned to exert a force on the rubber spring element. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The spring and damping device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rubber spring element is arranged inside a first volume that is filled with a first fluid. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The spring and damping device as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a second volume fluidically connected to the first volume, wherein at least a portion of the first fluid can flow into and out of the second volume. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The spring and damping device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the second volume is at least partially filled with a second fluid. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The spring and damping device as claimed in claim 4, further comprising a device for setting the pressure of the first fluid and/or a device for setting the pressure of the second fluid. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The spring and damping device as claimed in claim 4, wherein at least one of the first fluid and the second fluid is a liquid. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The spring and damping device as claimed in claim 6, wherein at least one of the first and the second fluids is a gas. ### Claim 8 (depends on 3) The spring and damping device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the second volume comprises a membrane. ### Claim 9 (depends on 3) The spring and damping device as claimed in claim 3, wherein a valve is arranged between the second volume and the first volume. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The spring and damping device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an annular component arranged between the coil spring element and the rubber spring element. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The spring and damping device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spring and damping device forms a spring strut and/or shock absorber in a suspension system of a motor vehicle. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The spring and damping device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a spring rate of the device is adjustable based on at least one of sensed conditions and driver input. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The spring and damping device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a spring rate of the device is adjustable between discrete settings. ### Claim 14 A motor vehicle, comprising: a suspension system including a spring and damping device having: an upper region; a lower region; a damping element arranged between the upper region and the lower region, the damping element having a center axis; a coil spring element; and a rubber spring element, the coil spring element and rubber spring element arranged one behind the other along the center axis of the damping element such that the coil spring element is positioned to exert a force on the rubber spring element. ### Claim 15 (depends on 4) A method for operating a spring and damping device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the pressure of the first fluid in the first volume is controlled as a function of a parameter. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method as claimed in claim 15 wherein the parameter includes a pressure of the second fluid. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the pressure of the first fluid and/or the pressure of the second fluid is set as a function of a composition of a road surface. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method as claimed in claim 17, further comprising adjusting a setting of a pressure value of at least one of the first and the second fluids. ### Claim 19 A method of adjusting a spring rate in a suspension of a motor vehicle, comprising: receiving an input indicative of a desired spring rate; adjusting a pressure of at least one fluid in a spring and damping device of the suspension based on the input; and increasing or decreasing a force exerted by the device based on the change in the pressure. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein receiving input includes receiving input from a driver. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein receiving input includes receiving input from at least one sensor regarding at least one sensed condition.